Celebrating World Kidney Day around the globe.

This whole month is Kidney Awareness Month, but today is World Kidney Day!  Today we set out to raise awareness of kidney disease and increase awareness about effective symptom management and patient empowerment. 

There is so much to know about the kidneys and what they do for us.  Below are a series of quick facts and questions regarding your own kidney health.  Empower yourself and those you are close to stay healthy and reduce risks. 

The 8 Golden Rules to Reduce Risk

1. Keep fit, be active
2. Eat a healthy diet
3. Check and control your blood sugar
4. Check and control your blood pressure
5. Take appropriate fluid intake
6. Don't smoke
7. Don't take over-the-counter NSAIDs regularly
8. Get your kidney function checked if you have one or more of the 'high risk' factors: you have diabetes, you have hypertension or you are obese.

​Did you know that your kidneys:

• Make urine
• Remove wastes and extra fluid from your blood
• Control your body's chemical balance
• Help control blood pressure
• Help keep your bones healthy
• Help you make red blood cells

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​Who is affected by the silent killer of kidney disease?

• 10 of the worldwide population if affected
• Half of people aged 75+ have some degree of kidney disease
• 1 in 5 Men and 1 in 4 Women between the ages of 65-74 have kidney disease

Are you at Risk?

• Do you have high blood pressure?
• Do you suffer from diabetes?
• Do you have a family history of kidney disease?
• Do you smoke?
• Are you over 50 years?
• Are you African, Hispanic, Aboriginal or Asian origin?

If yes to one or more of these questions, reach out to you doctor.

We have enjoyed sharing with you these quick facts.  Browse our website for information on how we contribute to caring for your kidneys and  other reliable sources such as the National Kidney Foundation.  Look for worldwide Kidney Day activities at World Kidney Day Organization.  Stay empowered.

The Patient Portal has come a long way over the last few years.  What started off as a simple attempt at an online health sharing information presence, has turned into a convenient, easily accessible extension of our office.  The features that are available on the Patient Portal range from obtaining lab results, ordering prescription refills and printing visit summaries to paying account balances, rescheduling appointments and now linking health trackers to easily share tracked information with Dr. Munjal.  

From your first contact with our office you will be provided access to our Patient Portal.  Log in, update your password and you are ready to explore what the Portal has to offer.  Once an appointment is scheduled you will have access to complete a Medical History Questionnaire in the Portal that will link directly back to our office, meaning one less form to print and bring to the appointment.  While you are in the Portal you can update all your demographic information, including address changes and insurance updates.

As an established patient, the Portal acts as an extension of our office and available 24/7!  You can send us general messages, reschedule appointments, review and pay statement balances, prepay copayments, and update current medication list.  Did you forget who Dr. Munjal was referring you to?  No worries, you can log into the Portal and see who it was.  Remember those labs results that Dr. Munjal discussed with you?  After your appointment the results will be posted to your Portal for further review. 

Do not fret, we are still here for you to offer above and beyond service during office hours!

If you haven't done so already, log into your Portal and check out the added features.  Try adding your health tracker, like a blood pressure monitor and have the results shared directly with Dr. Munjal; no having to remember to bring in your blood pressure log!  Approved, linkable devices are listed in the Portal under Trackers on the left-hand side.  

If you have any questions regarding your Portal experience, we are here to offer support.  Call us at (904) 260-9898 for assistance or visit our Patient Portal tab on the website for more information.

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Florida is making access to the Covid-19 vaccine easier.  As of February 12th, Florida has 490 new pharmacy locations that will provide the Covid-19 vaccine to eligible Floridians.  These pharmacy's include Publix, Walmart, Sam's Club and Winn Dixie.  To learn more about these locations, please visit ​floridahealthcovid19.gov/.  

As of today, Floridians that qualify for the Covid-19 vaccine are:
     + individuals 65 years and older
     + long term care facility residents and staff
     + health care personnel with direct patient contact
     + individuals deemed extremely vulnerable to Covid-19

If you meet the criteria above you can register to get in line for a vaccine at https://myvaccine.fl.gov/.   Please note that you do need to be a Florida resident to qualify.

Stay informed.

The National Kidney Foundation of Florida is offering a virtual webinar "Your Kidneys and You".  This is part of their National Kidney Awareness program for March.  It is a free webinar and all you need to do is register to attend!  If you would like to register you can visit their website or click on the links below.  

Thursday, March 4th, 2021 at 12pm (est)  

Thursday, March 18th, 2021 at 6pm (est)

Be on the lookout for further activities in March to celebrate National Kidney Awareness month!

Dr. Munjal, alongside most of the medical community believes that the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine will outweigh the consequences of the virus itself.  

The National Kidney Foundation has provided great resources regarding the vaccine and COVID-19 facts.  Visit their site and stay informed.  

Below is a brief overview of the vaccines that are currently available.  
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