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What is a simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant (SKP)? A kidney-pancreas transplant is an operation to place both a kidney and a pancreas — at the same time — into someone who has kidney failure related to type 1 diabetes. In many cases, both transplanted organs may come from one deceased donor....

  What comes to mind when you hear the word “plant-based diet”? Too expensive? Too boring? Too hard to follow? If you’re like many people, you may have some misconceptions. Here, we discuss a few.  It means becoming a vegetarian.  Not true. In fact, most experts agree that having...

How many kidneys do I have? Most people have two kidneys. Kidneys are inside the body. They are about the size of your fist. Where are your kidneys? Kidneys are in your lower back. What do kidneys do? Kidneys are busy! They are like washing machines for the blood in the body.  The kidneys...

What is a preemptive transplant? If you have kidney disease, getting a transplant before you need to start dialysis is called a preemptive transplant. Getting a transplant not long after kidneys fail (but with some time on dialysis) is referred to as an early transplant. Both have ...

Myth: The only option for receiving dialysis treatment is to travel to a center at least three times per week for hours at a time. Fact: Dialysis can be done in many ways: You can do dialysis in a hospital or an outpatient dialysis clinic or in your own home. Hemodialysis at a dialysis center is...

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...

Hemodialysis is a life-saving treatment when your kidneys are no longer able to remove waste products and extra water from your body. The dialysis machine takes over this function for your kidneys. Dialysis treatments are usually done 3 times a week and each treatment lasts about 4 hours. Is...

Kidney stones have become more common in children and teens over the past 20 years. They can occur in children of any age, even premature infants, but most stones occur in teens. Kidney stones happen when minerals and other substances normally found in urine join together to form a hard stone in...

Why do I need an emergency meal plan? This meal plan is for you to use in case of an emergency or a natural disaster when you may not be able to attend dialysis. It is important to follow a limited diet if you have to miss dialysis. A grocery list and a three-day meal plan for an emergency are...

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...

What is protein? Protein is an important nutrient that helps build muscle, repair tissue, and fight infection. Protein is made from amino acids. Amino acids are like building blocks that combine to form many different types of protein.  Your body makes some of the amino acids you need. ...

What is nocturnal enuresis? Nocturnal enuresis means wetting the bed at night. It usually happens after age 5, and it affects many school-age children and even some teens. It's not a serious health problem, and children usually outgrow it. Still, bedwetting can be upsetting for children and parents...

Fertility (the ability to have a child) tends to increase in both men and woman after a transplant. Are you thinking about pregnancy? If so, you should discuss it beforehand with your transplant team and other healthcare providers. There are many things to consider. You and your healthcare provider...

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...

What is an ectopic kidney? An ectopic kidney is a kidney that is out of place.  An ectopic kidney is caused by a birth defect. What causes an ectopic kidney? An ectopic kidney happens while a baby is growing in the womb.  Normally, the kidneys form a kidney bud within the pelvis (hip...

Does someone in your family have high blood pressure?  People with high blood pressure may need to make lifestyle changes, take special blood pressure medicine, or both. Knowing about high blood pressure and how it affects your family member will prepare you to help your loved one. How can...

Many people feel that a successful kidney transplant offers a better quality of life than dialysis.  To be considered for one, you must be evaluated at a transplant center. This is done to make sure that a kidney transplant is the best choice for you.  The evaluation will be very...

What is the buttonhole technique? The buttonhole technique is a way to "cannulate," which means "to insert dialysis needles." Instead of sharp, pointed needles, dull needles are placed into the exact same holes on your fistula every time you have dialysis.  Inserting the needles in the same...

What is Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD)? PTLD is group of conditions that may happen after a transplant. It involves the immune system and causes white blood cells called lymphocytes to multiply out of control.  The seriousness varies from an overgrowth of the lymphocytes...

​​​Infections in the throat or on the skin can sometimes cause short term kidney disease in children. This happens when the immune system, which fights off infection, also attacks the kidneys during that fight. This can damage the kidneys and make them less able to filter blood until healing is...

Introduction What is an Advance Directive? Advance Directives and Dialysis Other Important Points Discussion Topics Other Resources Checklist of Things to Consider Introduction Today, medical advances have made it possible for people with chronic illness to have successful treatment, improving...