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THE BEAN:
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 Have you ever wondered why Dr. Munjal requests labs within a certain time frame, why labs need to be drawn on a regular basis, or why a particular lab was ordered? You’re not alone! The ‘why’ is just as (if not more) important than the ‘what.’ Let’s talk about all things lab orders.
Why do these labs need to be drawn within a certain time frame? There are a number of reasons why Dr. Munjal requests that labs be drawn within a certain time frame or with specific instructions. Some of these include:
Why do labs need to be done on a regular basis? Regular labs give Dr. Munjal a ‘big picture’ view of your kidney health over time to help track trends. Additionally, regular labs can:
Why was this particular lab ordered? All patients require different care and different tests to adequately follow-up and maintain their health. Both blood and urine tests can be included to measure different aspects of the kidney function. Listed below are a few of the most common tests that Dr. Munjal orders:
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your tests, results, or kidney function, give our office a call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Munjal. As always, stay safe and healthy!  Starting dialysis is a huge lifestyle change that can come with a lot of loaded questions. Let’s explore some frequently asked questions with answers from our wonderful team at DialySuites Bartram Park!
Q: What are my treatment options? A: Patients needing renal replacement therapy have 4 options: in-center hemodialysis, home hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and transplantation. Each option has its pros, cons, requirements, and limitations. Take time to discuss your options with your nephrologist and dialysis care team. Q: What are some symptoms I’ll experience from having dialysis? A: After receiving dialysis, you should begin to feel better. Some patients report fatigue on treatment days. Additionally, some side effects you may experience from having dialysis include, but are not limited to: low blood pressure, shortness of breath, muscle cramps, abdominal cramps, and nausea or vomiting. If you feel ill or experience these symptoms, notify your nephrologist and dialysis care team so your treatment can be adjusted. Q: Can I work while on dialysis? A: You can certainly work while on dialysis, so long as you are feeling well enough to do so. There are programs available to assist with time off needed for treatments and appointments. Your social worker can assist in providing resources to you. Q: How often do I need appointments with my doctor(s) now? Is my Nephrologist my Primary Care Physician since I see them so often? A: Your nephrologist is just that: your nephrologist. They only specialize in your kidneys. It is imperative that you maintain regular follow-up appointments with your other specialists as this contributes to your overall health status. You will need to see your nephrologist on a monthly basis, at a minimum. They may request additional appointments as needed to check on you and your progress. Q: Dr. Munjal isn’t my nephrologist. Can I be a patient at DialySuites and still see my current nephrologist? A: Your current nephrologist can apply for privileges at DialySuites if they have not done so already. These privileges will allow you to transfer to DialySuites (based on availability) and keep your current nephrologist. Q: Can I travel while on dialysis? A: Traveling while on dialysis takes some planning ahead and coordination between your home facility and the temporary facility. Be sure to notify your team at your clinic so arrangements can be made in a timely manner. We request a minimum of 2 weeks notice. Q: Can I shorten or miss treatments? A: You must follow the treatment as prescribed by your Nephrologist. Your dialysis prescription is written specifically to your needs and your kidney function. If you shorten or miss a treatment, toxins and fluid will build up in your body which can significantly impact your health. However, there is room for flexibility. If you are a home dialysis patient, you can dialyze at any time that works for you, so long as you do your treatment daily. For in-center hemodialysis, there is less flexibility due to limited chairs and shifts. If you have a change in schedule, please notify your facility coordinator as soon as possible so arrangements can be made in a timely manner. If you have any questions or concerns regarding dialysis and your treatment path, please feel free to contact our office or DialySuites Bartram for more information. As always, stay safe and healthy!  Preparing meals and snacks ahead of time not only saves time, but can save money and lead to healthier choices and habits. The beauty of meal prepping is that it is completely customizable to your specific dietary needs and preferences and can be designed to fit into your schedule. Listed below are some helpful tips and tricks to setting yourself up for successful meal prepping.
Meal Prepping
Cooking Gadgets There are a plethora of devices that can assist in making the meal prepping process smooth and easy, while also saving time.
We have other blog posts that may be helpful when planning your meals and grocery trips: Getting Healthy for Your Kidneys Sodi-YUM: Replacing Salt While Cooking Eating Healthy on a Budget Share your meal prepping tips and tricks with us on our Facebook page! As always, stay safe and healthy!  June 1st marks the start of hurricane season and preparing is vital for Floridians. Preparations when the storm is upon us can include filling sandbags, boarding up windows, checking insurance coverage, refilling medications, and the oh-so-stressful grocery store run. But did you know that there are things you can do to prepare at the start of the season? Creating a stock of shelf-stable foods and emergency supplies can help to reduce the stress around storm season.
Listed below are common food items that are generally shelf-stable and require little to no cooking. Keep in mind any dietary restrictions or specifications that must be followed, like reduced sodium, fat, or sugar. Canned and shelf-stable foods generally have preservatives in them that increase the sodium content. Additionally, we have listed tools and supplies to consider keeping on hand for cooking and food preparation and other items for general preparedness. Dry Food/snacks:
Helpful tips:
Remember to stay up-to-date on weather and disaster updates as we enter this 5-6 month storm season. This hurricane season is projected to be a busy one, so follow us on Facebook @JaxNephrology for any updates on office closures and other pertinent information. As always, stay safe and healthy! |
