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By: Kayla Holmes  In the past, we have shared renal-friendly recipes on our Facebook bi-weekly in a segment called Tasty Tuesday. We are shifting this to our blog to focus on seasonal foods, gardening, and recipes on a monthly basis. We want to include what to start in your garden, foods that are in season (and may be on sale), and recipes to use these abundant whole foods. In this introduction post, we will share resources for recipes, local nurseries, and informational sites to visit to find more information on how to begin eating with the season.
Seasonal foods are generally more nutrient dense and tastier due to optimal growing conditions and being harvested at their true peak. Very few additives and chemicals are needed to change the environmental conditions to enhance or alter the growing process. Additionally, seasonal foods are also a great way to change up the fruits and vegetables we eat regularly as well cut back on food spending. These foods provide us opportunities to expand our palettes and explore new recipes that we may not have considered otherwise. Renal Recipe Sites: These sites provide a wide variety of kidney-friendly recipes. Some of these sites have search features that allow you to narrow your search to the desired ingredients or dietary restrictions. You can also use the seasonal food guides as a reference point for looking for recipes. National Kidney Foundation Mayo Clinic Northwest Kidney Center American Association of Kidney Patients Renal Support Network Gardening: UF/IFAS Gardening Guide Farmer's Almanac Seasonal Food Information: Seasonal Food Guide USDA Seasonal Produce Guide Savings Guides: Weekly Sales Flyers Nerd Wallet: Grocery Savings Tips Eating healthy and with the season does not have to be difficult. Join us in this series as we eat with the seasons! By: Kayla Holmes  This segment of the Kidney Korner is all about dialysis. Who needs it, what it is, the different modalities, our dialysis clinic, and more. We want to empower our patients by helping them understand that there is life on dialysis and we are here to help you live it to the fullest. This post will go over the most basic points of dialysis so we can expand upon them in the coming posts.
What is dialysis and who needs it? Dialysis is a type of renal replacement therapy for patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). In some cases, patients with more severe acute kidney injuries will require dialysis until their kidney function returns to their normal levels. Dialysis is not a cure for ESRD; it is required for the rest of the patient’s life or until they receive a transplant. Essentially, the process of dialysis acts as an artificial kidney, filtering out the waste and toxins and transferring the clean blood back into the body. It works to do the job of a kidney by balancing the fluid and minerals in the body as well as work to maintain blood pressure. Read more about how kidneys work in previous Kidney Korner segments here and here. What are the different types of dialysis? There are a variety of types, or modalities, of dialysis to consider. It is important to explore all options to suit your goals and lifestyle. There is life on dialysis and we want you to be able to keep living it as you wish. The 3 types of dialysis are:
Where can I receive dialysis treatment? Depending on the dialysis modality and situation, there are a few locations where patients can receive treatment:
What do I need to change to be successful? Success on dialysis depends on your attention to your health as well as open, honest communication with your care team. Your team wants the best for you and is there to support and guide you through these changes. These can look like:
We will touch more on the different modalities, treatment centers, and lifestyle changes needed to be successful on dialysis in the following Kidney Korner segments. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your care team. As always, stay safe and healthy!  At Jacksonville Nephrology, we work to utilize technology as much as possible. We believe that it provides secure, efficient care with a large number of benefits to patients and providers alike.
Ease of Access: The increase of technological developments and usage has also greatly increased the accessibility of pertinent information, leading to more efficient and effective care.
Security: Our top priority is keeping your information safe. To do this, we have a number of security measures in place to ensure that your data is secure and utilized appropriately. Here are a few ways that we keep your information secure:
Technology can be one of our greatest tools in our toolbox. We can utilize it in a myriad of ways to benefit our patients and provide next-level care. As always, stay safe and healthy! By: Kayla Holmes  We strive for excellence and efficiency at Jacksonville Nephrology. We work to serve all patients with a smile, going above and beyond in your care from the moment you walk in the door. New patients can expect to spend 45 minutes to an hour in our office during their first appointment. This includes paperwork, meeting with the medical assistant and doctor, and scheduling a follow-up. Follow-up appointments can expect to take approximately 30 minutes from check-in to check-out. Some additional, annual paperwork may be due, so please arrive early when possible.
Let’s walk through what an in-office appointment with Jacksonville Nephrology looks like.
We also offer virtual visits. Here’s how the process works:
If you're a new patient with us, take a moment to go read "How to See Dr. Munjal: The Referral Process" to get a better idea of what is needed for a new patient appointment and how to establish at our practice. *Please note that virtual visits require up-to-date paperwork to be completed and on file with us within the past year. These appointments are subject to insurance coverage and are set to be discontinued by December 2024 by Medicare. Many commercial insurance carriers have already incorporated virtual coverage into their plans. Please contact your insurance carrier should you have questions regarding your virtual visit coverage.* We work to see patients in a timely manner, with all details accounted for to create the most efficient and effective appointments possible. If you are interested in scheduling, please contact our office at (904) 260-9898. We look forward to being a part of your care team! By: Kayla Holmes  We know that addressing changes in your health can be a scary, difficult time. You may find yourself asking a million and one questions, leading to feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Our team at Jacksonville Nephrology is here to help. Find our most frequently asked questions and Dr. Munjal approved answers below!
What is Chronic Kidney Disease? Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is the gradual decline in kidney function over time. It is expected that everyone’s kidney function will naturally decline with age due to normal “wear and tear.” It is determining if it is a normal decline or excessive and determining the root cause. I have protein in my urine. What does it mean? Are my kidneys failing? Think of your kidneys as a coffee filter. It has two jobs: let the coffee through and keep the grounds in. Similarly, kidneys want to get rid of waste, but keep the good things in. We check protein levels in the urine. Protein particles are large and should not be getting through the filter. High protein levels in the urine are indicative of kidney damage. I had a high blood pressure reading. Do I have hypertension now? When we look at your blood pressure, we are looking for a trend over time. One reading may be an outlier or an anomaly. We want to see what your home readings look like on a daily basis, rather than just once in the doctor’s office. Many patients experience “White Coat Syndrome” or higher blood pressure and/or pulse due to being at the doctor’s office or in a medical setting. However, if this high reading is accompanied by symptoms like headache, irregular/fast heart rate, or nosebleeds, please seek medical attention. My kidney function came back abnormal in my recent lab results. Do I need to go on dialysis now? You most likely do not need to go on dialysis. It’s important to review just how abnormal a lab result is. People can live with a full life with decreased kidney function for years. For example, someone who gives a kidney will have 50% of the normal kidney function, but still be able to live a full, prosperous life. Dr. Munjal will look at your lab results and your medical history to work to determine the root cause of what caused the change in kidney function. I only have high blood pressure. What do my kidneys have to do with that? The kidneys play an integral role in the balance of sodium and fluids in the body. If the kidneys begin to not work properly and these levels become unbalanced, then we can see changes in the blood pressure. They also manage and balance the other electrolytes and some hormones that can contribute to blood pressure. Everyone is unique and requires individual attention to details. Dr. Munjal works to look at the facts and treats the root cause. Every situation and treatment course is all dependent on the unique patient. If you have questions or concerns about your kidney function, please do not hesitate to contact us and set up an appointment! |
