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A new baby is a joy for any family. But pregnancy can put a lot of stress on your body. If you have kidney disease or kidney failure, it can put you and the health of your unborn child at risk. Are you thinking about pregnancy? If so, you should discuss it beforehand with your doctor or other...
Being a teenager can be tough with or without kidney disease. But having kidney disease can make it even harder. The good news? Learning to cope with your feelings can help. It can make the extra challenge of living with kidney disease easier. Why are my emotions all over the place?...
Good dental care is important for everyone, but especially for people with kidney disease. What might be a minor infection for a healthy person could be major problem for someone with kidney disease. Here’s a bit to explain more: Germs attack (that’s infection). The body fights back (...
Can people with kidney disease or kidney failure still enjoy sex? It's important to remember that people with kidney failure can have healthy marriages and meaningful relationships. They can fall in love, care for families, and be sexual. Staying intimate with those you love is important. It's...
It’s important to stay up-to-date with your vaccinations, especially if you have kidney disease, kidney failure, or a transplant. There are several vaccines that you need. One important vaccine that you may not know about is the vaccine for pneumococcal disease. What...
Many people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or kidney failure work full time or part time. Some go to school or take care of their homes and families. Others do volunteer work, have hobbies, or have regular exercise routines. If you have kidney disease or kidney failure, you may have questions...
Natural disasters (blizzards, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.) or electrical power blackouts can disrupt healthcare services, such as dialysis treatment. The aim of the information on this website is to help you prepare for possible emergencies. By knowing what to do and preparing...
Working is very important to many people who have kidney failure, also known as end stage renal disease (ESRD). It can help them to have a feeling of value to their families, to society and to themselves. As an employer, you probably have many questions about how hiring or continuing to employ...
Being a teenager is hard. Dealing with kidney disease can make it feel even more challenging. You are probably taking at least one medication, maybe more. Remembering to take your medications every day and at the right time is not always easy. It may seem as if the other parts of your...
Good health care is always a team effort - especially for people with chronic kidney failure. Since each member of the health care staff contributes to your care, it is important for you and your family to build a good working relationship with them. The health care team will probably include:...
What is a clinical trial? A clinical trial is a research study that looks at how well a new treatment works in people. This is called “efficacy.” The treatment may be a drug, medical procedure, medical device, or even a lifestyle change. A clinical trial also makes sure the new...
Insurance Options: Medicare helps Americans and legal residents of all ages who have worked and paid taxes into the system, and need dialysis or a kidney transplant. More than 90 percent of Americans with kidney failure, what Medicare calls End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), have...
What is iron? Iron is a mineral needed for healthy red blood cells and for overall good health. Iron is found in a wide variety of foods. You can also get iron from supplements taken by mouth and from iron medicines prescribed by your healthcare professional. What does iron do? Iron helps your body...
Although many medical advances have been made in the treatment of kidney and urinary tract disease, the emotional effects of kidney failure on patients and their families remain great because many areas of everyday living have to be changed. Receiving Treatment for Kidney Failure Returning to...
The National Kidney Foundation has not issued specific recommendations regarding fluoride intake and kidney disease due to the limited available research on the topic. The benefits of water and dental products containing fluoride is the prevention of tooth decay and dental cavities in people of all...
Many analgesics should not be used if there is decreased kidney function, because they reduce the blood flow to the kidney. Also, long term use with higher doses may harm normal kidneys. It is important to realize that, while helpful, these medicines are not completely without risk, and they should...
Diagnostic tests such as MRIs, CT scans and angiograms are routinely used because they provide important information about many diseases or injuries and can help in diagnosis and treatment. In many cases, the use of a contrast dye is necessary to enhance these tests, but sometimes these dyes can...
What are blood lipids? Lipids are fat-like substances found in your blood and body tissues. Your body needs small amounts of lipids to work normally. How are my blood lipids measured? A blood test called a complete lipid profile is done. It is recommended that this test be done after an...
I have an Employer Group Health Plan (EGHP). I have private insurance through the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). I have Medicare I have Medicaid I have an Employer Group Health Plan (EGHP). If you are eligible for Medicare, your EGHP will be your primary insurance (pays first) for 30 months...
What is lead poisoning? Lead is a natural element found in small amounts in the earth. Lead has many good uses, but too much can be harmful to humans and animals. Lead poisoning is a serious health problem. It can happen if lead builds up in your body, usually over many months or years...
It is believed that as many as 20 million men in the United States suffer from impotence, a condition that leaves them unable to have sexual intercourse (sex) because their penis does not become hard and, therefore, they are not able to have or keep an erection. What causes impotence? It can happen...
For many people with kidney failure, dialysis helps them live longer and improves their quality of life. But for some people, the improvement they feel may be a lot more limited— often because of their serious health problems. It is important to know that in such a situation, you have the right to...
For many patients who are on dialysis or have had a kidney transplant, the ability to travel is important to their self-esteem and lifestyle. Working patients may need to attend business meetings or conferences. Older patients may have dreamed of traveling during their retirement. A family event...
Today, the average American consumes almost 152 pounds of sugar each year, which breaks down to almost 3 pounds (or 6 cups!) of sugar each week. That’s a lot of sugar – so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to that sugar may be a key factor contributing to our national obesity epidemic. Obesity...