The kidneys are a complex part of the body, playing a vital role in maintaining a variety of bodily functions. Nephrologists track a few major pieces of information that determine the kidney function. Since we cannot physically examine the kidneys, lab tests and blood pressure logs are the most vital pieces of information that we need to understand your kidney function. Let’s learn about what these pieces of information are and why they are so important to your kidney care.
Blood Tests Since we cannot physically examine the kidneys, we rely on blood tests to determine how the kidneys are actually functioning. There are four (4) main factors that paint a picture of the kidney function:
Urine Tests Since the kidneys create urine, urine tests are another good indicator to help determine kidney function. One of the most important factors included is protein. If protein is present in the urine, it can indicate that the kidneys are not functioning as they should be. One of Dr. Munjal’s analogies for this is as follows: “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 spilling through the filter. High protein levels in the urine are indicative of kidney damage.” Blood Pressure A number of factors can contribute to a change in blood pressure such as stress, anxiety, caffeine, medications, sleep, “White Coat Syndrome,” and more. To get the best picture of what your blood pressure is normally, we advise taking readings regularly at home. At home, you are more relaxed and in a familiar environment thus giving us a better understanding of what your day-to-day looks like. This gives Dr. Munjal the ability to make a more informed decision, rather than basing decisions on a single reading that could be altered by the factors listed above. Additionally, by taking readings on a schedule at home, 1-2 hours after medication is taken, we are able to better judge the effectiveness of the medication regimen. We request that labs ordered by Dr. Munjal be completed no less than one (1) week prior to your appointment. This, along with a record of regular blood pressure readings, gives us the most accurate picture of your current health status. As always, stay safe and healthy! “Kindness is free; sprinkle that stuff everywhere.”
February marks the season of love with Valentine’s Day falling in the middle of the month. We are so thankful for the love we are able to both share and receive. Oftentimes, we give gifts to show our love and appreciation. Listed below are resources that you can share the love with this year to help support those with kidney diseases. This year, we want to provide you with resources that you can share the love with to support others with kidney diseases. Nonprofits to Donate to: National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Renal Support Network (RSN) American Kidney Fund (AKF) American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) Ways to Get Involved:
Additionally, you can check out previous blog posts on Caring for the Caregiver, How to Help Loved Ones with Chronic Kidney Disease, and The Gift of Giving to continue to spread the love this season with patients, caregivers, and the community. *This post is not sponsored.* Habits and goals work together to become a dynamic duo when working towards accomplishing a task. Set a goal, then create habits to help facilitate the desired outcome. Let’s discuss the benefits of setting goals and creating habits.
Goals and habits can be particularly helpful for those with chronic illnesses that may need more in-depth and consistent healthcare. By creating healthy habits, like taking weight and blood pressure readings regularly, patients are able to better assist their healthcare teams in identifying trends and intervening more effectively and efficiently. This can help to increase time between required or recommended appointments as well as reduce emergency interventions, like hospitalizations. We have created a habit tracker for tracking weight and blood pressure that can be found on our website here. There are also a number of books and resources that delve deeper into the importance of habits and goals.
If you are setting goals that may alter your lifestyle or health significantly, please consult with your physician(s) before continuing to ensure it is safe. As always, stay healthy! “A clean space creates a clean mind.” ~Anonymous
The new year brings fresh starts and hopes for healthy habits. One way to set yourself up for success when creating these healthy habits (and sticking to them) is by creating an environment that is conducive to health, growth, and clarity. A good way to start this is through decluttering and organizing your space. A clean and clear space that brings you joy can help in reducing stress. By organizing your home, you may also find it easier to maintain proper medication regimens and healthy habits. Additionally, ticking items off of your yearly to-do list can bring a sense of pride and accomplishment, thus uplifting spirits and contributing to a healthier mindset. These can contribute to a more relaxed state and reduced blood pressure. Listed below are some tips and tricks to help you create a clean, organized environment to set yourself up for success in the new year. Tips and tricks:
Places to Donate/Sell Items after Decluttering: Salvation Army Goodwill Hospice Stores Habitat for Humanity (HabiJax) Hubbard House Consignment shops Resources to Help You Get Started:
While this may seem like a daunting task and too overwhelming to tackle; take a step back and break it down. Start small and work your way through piece by piece. Change doesn’t happen overnight. Give yourself grace as you learn what works best for you. Protein is a common topic when it comes to kidneys. Tracking protein intake can become more important as you progress through Chronic Kidney Disease and enter End Stage Renal Disease.
What is protein and proteinuria? Protein is a macronutrient, or a food nutrient group that we need in larger amounts. Protein is found throughout the body and powers many of the chemical reactions that we need to survive. Proteinuria is simply the presence of protein in the urine. High Protein Foods Animal-based: Poultry, fish, beef, pork, eggs, dairy products Plant-based: beans, lentils, broccoli, chickpeas, nuts/seeds, spinach, soy products/tofu, etc. How Dr. Munjal Helps: Dr. Munjal can order a urinalysis and protein urine studies to determine how much protein is spilling through. From there, he can begin to determine the root cause of the problem and decline in kidney function. Recommendations and changes can be made and progress will be reviewed after repeat testing. Munjal’s Musings 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 spilling through the filter. High protein levels in the urine are indicative of kidney damage. If you have concerns regarding protein or recent urine studies, please do not hesitate to reach out to your care team for guidance. As always, stay safe and healthy. For additional information on the kidneys and their filtration function, please refer back to our previous post, Kidney Korner: Filtering Blood here. The new year marks the start of new insurance and benefits. Understanding you insurance policy is vital to receiving timely care at a reasonable cost. Let's talk all things insurance so you can be empowered this year.
What is insurance? Health insurance is a contract that agrees to pay a portion of health and medical expenses in exchange for a premium. This generally covers the cost of routine care, emergency services, specialty care, and the treatment of chronic illness. What kind of insurance are there? There are a wide variety of insurance policies available in today’s market. Two of the most common are Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO).
Why do we ask? By asking about insurance, we are able to ensure that our patients are getting efficient and effective care. For example, the following may be affected by inaccurate insurance information:
How can you be proactive in your care?
While insurance can be a tricky subject, we hope this helps. If you have any further questions about your coverage, call your policy directly for more information. Don't forget to let your doctor's offices know if you have had any changes in any of your policy details! Your demographic information is a vital part of your care. It is protected by HIPAA and therefore cannot be shared or altered without patient consent.
What is considered demographic information?
Why is it important? Demographic information is vital for medical billing, insurance, communications, and patient identification. Out-of-date demographic information can lead to:
How you can update your information:
We try to update this information on an annual basis. You can review our previous post on HIPAA (https://www.jaxnephrology.com/blog/be-hipaa-and-know-your-rights) to learn how we protect your information. If you have questions, concerns, or any changes in the new year, please do not hesitate to call our office. Dialysis requires a drastic change in a patient’s lifestyle in order to be successful and healthy. This can be a change in schedule, altering or creating new habits, and diet changes. It’s a daunting task. Below are some of the changes dialysis patients may go through and ways to combat the discomfort that may come from them.
Changes in diet Challenging Change: One of the biggest challenges dialysis patients face can be their change in diet. Dialysis patients have to be mindful of what and how much they eat. Generally, dialysis patients have to monitor: calcium, phosphorus, sodium, protein, and fluid intake on a daily basis. Because of the intensity of the treatment, it is important to follow this diet and continue taking in vital nutrients. Learning the Lifestyle: Have an open, honest conversation about your diet with your dietitian to discover where you can make improvements. Additionally, you can use the resources listed below to find recipes or get ideas that are delicious and within your budget and/or dietary requirements. You can find more information about eating healthy on a budget in previous posts here. Renal Support Network National Kidney Foundation The Mayo Clinic Changes in Schedule Challenging Change: Depending on your dialysis modality, a schedule change is required for patients in order to accommodate the treatment schedule. This can be dialyzing at night, going to a clinic three (3) days a week, or taking time out of each day for the patient and a care partner to do the treatment. This can be incredibly frustrating and hard to adjust to, as well as creating an unwanted sense of dependency on others. Learning the Lifestyle: There are other modalities available. Ask your care team if there is a schedule or modality that may better suit your lifestyle. You may also be able to look into remote work. Additionally, use this time to pick up a new habit, like reading, studying a new subject, watching new shows or movies, planning for the week ahead (like grocery lists, reviewing your schedule, and creating to-do lists) or even taking virtual tours around museums and galleries. Creating New Habits Challenging Change: Creating new habits and sticking with them is usually the hardest part of making a change or setting a new goal. Dialysis patients often have to incorporate new medications, taking their blood pressure and weight regularly, and tracking foods or fluid. If you forget or make a mistake, don’t be discouraged! Pick yourself back up and try again. Learning the Lifestyle: Habit Trackers and checklists are wonderful tools to help keep us on track. They are a way to visualize steps and habits, reminding us of the goals we set. Additionally, automatic reminders can be set to alert us on cellphones and other devices. Try using these tools in conjunction with habits that you already have to “habit stack” and ensure that these will stick. Ultimately, you are at the center of your care. We want to help you make the choices that empower you to live and thrive while on dialysis. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your care team for additional information. *Please do not implement any significant changes without first consulting with your physician and care team.* Labs are the most vital piece of information needed to determine a patient’s kidney function. There are a number of tests that nephrologists might order to assist in finding the root cause of a problem. Let’s look at 5 of the most common tests, what’s included, and why they are so important.
Metabolic Panels: Metabolic panels are meant to test the blood for essential electrolytes and other values that indicate how well the body is functioning. Some of the most important values for nephrologists within these orders are:
Urine Tests: There are a few urine tests that a nephrologist might order to examine a number of factors that contribute to kidney function. These can include:
Uric Acid: Uric acid is a resulting waste product from the breakdown of purine-rich foods. A build-up of uric acid in the body can lead to gout, a potentially painful inflammatory response in the joints. Your kidneys work to filter out the uric acid through the urine. If the kidneys do not filter it out, high uric acid in kidneys can manifest as high blood pressure, worsening kidney function, or cause uric acid kidney stones. While these lists are not all-inclusive, they can give you an idea of the range of values we look for. Remember to get your labs done no less than one (1) week prior to your scheduled appointment for the most current results. As always, contact your care team if you have any questions or concerns! November is National Family Caregiver Month. To honor those who care for our patients, we want to provide ways that you can work toward caring for your caregiver. Caring for loved ones can be the most rewarding, yet most exhausting work there is. Caregiving can look different for a variety of roles they may play. These people can be doctors, nurses, medical assistants, office staff, home health aids, spouses, siblings, children, friends…the list goes on. These people often wear many different hats in life, making self-care low on their priority list. Listed below are some of the ways that you can reverse the roles and help take care of those who care for you.
12 Ways to Care for Your Caregiver
Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Caregiver
Caregivers are vital to the success of many people’s lives. Remember to appreciate those who care for you and others. We want to thank all of the caregivers who selflessly care for our patients. |
About The BeanThe Bean is a blog on a mission to share valuable information in the world of Nephrology. We believe in empowering through education and The Bean is a great place to find resources and information on topics related to high blood pressure, kidney disease, dialysis, and topics that enhance the kidney minded lifestyle. Enjoy and be sure to subscribe! Archives
March 2024
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