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October 10, 2022 0

Millions of people are affected by kidney disease, but most of them don’t even know it.

That’s because the early signs of kidney disease are often mistaken for something else. You might think that you’re just tired all the time or that you have a case of the flu. But sometimes, the signs can be a lot more obvious.

If you’re having trouble breathing, urinating a lot, or feeling tired and out of it, then it’s time to see a doctor and get checked out. Kidney disease doesn’t have to be a death sentence—early diagnosis and treatment can help you live a long and healthy life.

What Are the Tell-Tale Signs of Kidney Disease?

If you’re worried that you or a loved one might be suffering from kidney disease, it’s important to be aware of the tell-tale signs.

Some of the most common symptoms include excessive thirst, fatigue, swollen ankles and feet, and changes in urination habits. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible.

kidney disease can lead to several serious health complications, so it’s important to catch it early. With early diagnosis and treatment, most people with kidney disease can still lead full and healthy lives.

How Can Kidney Disease Be Diagnosed?

How can kidney disease be diagnosed? The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. It depends on the person’s symptoms and medical history.

But some tests can help doctors determine whether someone has kidney disease. One of the most common is a blood test, which can measure how well the kidneys are functioning.

Other tests include:

– Urinalysis: This test looks at the urine for evidence of infection, kidney stones, or other problems.

– Imaging tests: These tests create pictures of the kidneys and can help identify tumors, cysts, or other problems.

– Biopsy: In this test, a tiny piece of tissue is removed from the kidney and examined under a microscope.

What Are the Treatment Options for Kidney Disease?

You might be wondering what the treatment options are for kidney disease. Well, the good news is that there are many different treatment options available, and the best option for you depends on the stage of your kidney disease.

If you’re in the early stages of kidney disease, your doctor might recommend changes to your diet and lifestyle. You might also need to take medication to help control your condition. If your kidney disease is more advanced, you might need dialysis or a kidney transplant.

No matter what stage of kidney disease you’re in, it’s important to get regular checkups and see a doctor who specializes in kidney diseases.

What Are the Risks of Ignoring Kidney Disease?

What are the risks of ignoring kidney disease? Well, for one, it can lead to a lot of health problems. Left untreated, kidney disease can cause high blood pressure, heart problems, and even strokes.

But that’s not all. If you ignore kidney disease, it can also lead to serious, and sometimes irreversible, damage to your kidneys. In the worst-case scenario, you could even lose your kidneys altogether.

So if you think you might be at risk for kidney disease, don’t wait—see your doctor right away. The earlier you catch it, the easier it is to treat.

Conclusion

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, it’s important to see a nephrologist as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for preserving kidney function and preventing other health problems.

Kidney disease doesn’t have to be a death sentence. With early diagnosis and treatment, most people with kidney disease can lead normal, healthy lives. Don’t wait – if you think you might have kidney disease, see a nephrologist today

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October 9, 2022 0

Nephrotic Syndrome is a kidney disorder that causes a buildup of protein in the body. This protein can damage the kidneys and lead to severe illness. The immune system is the body’s primary defense against disease, and it contains cells that are specialized for fighting infection and other foreign substances. In this article, we will explore how the immune system affects Nephrotic Syndrome.

What is Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome?

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (IPS) is a condition in which the kidneys fail to filter waste products from the blood. The cause of the condition is unknown, although some experts believe that it may be caused by an immune reaction to a virus.

Symptoms of Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

The most common symptoms include:

  1. Fatigue
  2. Muscle cramps or pain
  3. Loss of appetite or anorexia (lack of desire to eat)
  4. Dark urine
  5. Swollen feet and hands

What Causes Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome?

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is an autoimmune disease that affects the kidneys. The immune system attacks the cells of the kidney, causing inflammation and damage to the organ.

Several different factors can contribute to this disease, including genetics, age, race, gender, and other environmental factors.

The cause of the idiopathic nephrotic syndrome remains unknown but it is believed that certain people are more likely to develop it than others.

What are the Signs & Symptoms of Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome?

The Signs & Symptoms of Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome include:

– Mild to severe pain in your abdomen

– Blood protein in your urine (albumin)

– Painful urination

– A feeling of fullness after eating or drinking

How is it Diagnosed and Treated?

It’s important to know the symptoms of the idiopathic nephrotic syndrome because they can be hard to distinguish from other diseases. The most common symptom is that of protein in the urine, but it’s also common for your doctor to find a significant decrease in kidney function or swelling around the kidneys.

If you have any questions about what might be causing your symptoms, ask your doctor or nephrology specialist about it. It’s important to get a second opinion before making any decisions about treatment or diagnosis, but don’t wait too long—the longer you wait, the harder it will be for your kidney function to return to normal.

 

Conclusion: How the Immune System Affects the Kidneys and Can Lead to IDN

If you want to avoid IDN and its consequences, there are a few lifestyle changes that you can make. This article goes over how the immune system interferes with the kidneys, and how to mitigate these negative immune effects.

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October 9, 2022 0

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are drugs used to treat cancer. They work by blocking the ability of cancer cells to hide from the immune system. In recent years, they are effective in treating other diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis.

However, these drugs may also cause kidney damage. This is because they prevent the immune system from attacking and killing cancer cells that are hiding in the kidneys.

What do immune checkpoint inhibitors do?

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a class of drugs that work by targeting the immune system. They can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
  • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
  • Melanoma and other cancers
  • Metastatic breast cancer
  • Multiple myeloma

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a type of cancer drug used to treat several types of cancer, including melanoma and lung cancer.

These types of drugs work by stopping the immune system from attacking your body’s tissues. This is great for people with trouble with their immune system because it means they don’t have to worry about their body attacking their cancerous tumors.

Unfortunately, these drugs also have some side effects that may cause problems. Here are some of the most common side effects:

  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Rash or itching
  • Hair loss or baldness
  • Nausea or vomiting (often severe)
  • Changes in vision

Immune checkpoint inhibitors and kidney disease.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been used to treat a variety of different cancers, but they are now also being tested for several other diseases. The most common use is for people with kidney disease who have failed to respond to conventional treatments.

If you have kidney disease and your doctor has recommended that you try an immune checkpoint inhibitor as part of your treatment, there are some things you should keep in mind:

  • You may need to take the drug for longer than expected—your doctor will monitor how well the drug works for you over time.
  • You will likely need to undergo additional blood tests before and after taking the drug so that the effects can be monitored carefully.
  • The side effects from these drugs can be severe—they include stomach ulcers, nausea/vomiting, low blood pressure, and fatal heart attacks.

 

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October 1, 2022 0

Did you know that adult kidney transplant recipients with chronic rejection should limit protein intake to 0.73 ± 0.11 g/kg body weight as this may safely stabilize the glomerular filtration rate and slow the progression to kidney failure?

In a healthy individual, a protein intake of ~ 0.8 g/kg body weight per day is recommended for the general population for body weight maintenance. However, the average protein intake among patients with chronic kidney disease is 0.9 ± 0.4 g/kg body weight per day, which is higher than the guideline level. A previous study has shown that higher dietary protein levels are associated with accelerated renal function decline in dialysis patients. Therefore, further studies on the effects of dietary protein intake on the progression of chronic kidney disease and rheumatoid arthritis are needed.

The kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining normal body fluid homeostasis. The primary function of the kidney is to filter waste, excess water, and salt while retaining essential electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and calcium. Kidney function deteriorates when there is an increase in glomerular filtration rate and the excretion of waste products increases in excess. This phenomenon is called glomerulosclerosis. Accumulation of corticosteroids (produced by autoregulatory mechanisms) inhibits the release of vasopressin from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland

Conclusion:

The current research on immunosuppressive protocols for kidney transplant recipients with chronic rejection does not support the restriction of dietary protein and interference with normal nutrition for patients. Researchers are working on finding a balance between recommendations mentioned in different studies.

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September 23, 2022 0

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition in which the kidneys lose their ability to filter blood. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that are located just below the rib cage, on either side of the spine. They play a vital role in maintaining the body’s fluid balance and removing waste from the blood.

The most common cause of CKD is diabetes. Other causes include high blood pressure, glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease, and a wide range of other diseases or conditions.

  • The Impact of Chronic Kidney Disease on the African American Community:

African Americans are disproportionately affected by chronic kidney disease. Black communities are more likely to suffer from chronic illness and have a lower life expectancy.

This is partly because African Americans tend to be more resistant to the progression of chronic kidney disease and thus live with it for a longer time.

  • Health Disparities Faced by (and Impacting) the African American Community:

The African American community faces several health disparities, with chronic illness being a major factor. This is a problem that affects not only the African American community but also the greater population. The prevalence of chronic illness in black communities has been linked to genetics and environmental factors and can be seen as a form of institutional racism.

In America, blacks are more likely to be diagnosed with heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and stroke than whites. They are also more likely to die from these diseases than whites. In addition to this, black mothers are three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white mothers. These disparities have led many people to believe that there is an inherent bias in the health care system against people who are members of the African American community.

  • Strategies for Reducing Risk Factors that Contribute to Chronic Kidney Disease in the African American Population:

In the United States, African Americans have a greater risk of developing chronic kidney disease than other populations. The risk factors for CKD in minority populations are not well understood, but some studies have identified that they may include high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

To reduce these risk factors, there needs to be an increase in education about the risks of CKD in minority populations. Additionally, there needs to be more research done on how these risk factors can be prevented and how this disease can be detected early on.

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September 2, 2022 0
If you want to live a healthy life, then you must be aware of some of the habits that are damaging your kidneys.
  1. Overusing Painkillers: Over-the-counter pain medicines, such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and Analgesics, may alleviate your aches and pains, but they can harm the kidneys, especially if you already have kidney disease. NSAIDs block pain signals from your brain to your body, which can damage small blood vessels in the kidneys.
  2. Frequent use of excessive salts: Diets high in salt are high in sodium, which can increase blood pressure and, in turn, harm your kidneys.
  3. Eating Processed Foods: Processed foods are significant sources of sodium and phosphorus. Many people who have kidney disease need to limit phosphorus in their diets.
  4. Not Drinking Enough Water: Staying well hydrated helps your kidneys clear sodium and toxins from the body. Drinking plenty of water is also one of the best ways to avoid painful kidney stones. Those with kidney problems or kidney failure may need to restrict their fluid intake, but for most people, drinking 1.5 to 2 liters (3 to 4 pints) of water per day is a healthy target.
  5. Missing Out on Sleep: A good night’s rest is extremely important to your overall well-being and, it turns out, your kidneys. Kidney function is regulated by the sleep-wake cycle which helps coordinate the kidneys’ workload over 24 hours.
  6. Eating too much meat: Eating too much meat can damage your kidney too. Animal protein is known to produce high amounts of acid in the blood which can be detrimental to the kidneys and cause acidosis. Acidosis is a condition in which the kidneys cannot remove acid fast enough.
  7. Smoking: Smoking is harmful to your health which includes your kidneys. People who smoke are more susceptible to having protein in their urine, which is a sign of kidney damage
  8. Excessive alcohol consumption: High alcohol intake may raise uric acid generation and damage your kidneys hence it is mandatory to cut down on alcohol intake.

 

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August 18, 2022 0

If you’re suffering from high blood pressure, one might wonder if you need to take medication to lower the readings. However, changing one’s lifestyle is crucial to managing high blood pressure. Maintaining blood pressure control through a healthy lifestyle may eliminate, postpone, or minimize the need for medication.

Things to do for controlling high blood pressure

  1. Consume a balanced diet – A diet low in cholesterol and saturated fat and high in whole grains, fruit, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products can reduce high blood pressure by up to 11 mm Hg. The Mediterranean diet and the Dietary Strategy to Prevent Hypertension (DASH) diet are two examples of eating regimens that can reduce blood pressure.
  2. Consume alcohol in moderation – It is possible to reduce blood pressure by roughly 4 mm Hg by limiting alcohol consumption to fewer than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for males. 12 ounces of beer, 5 grams of wine, or 1 ounce of an 80-proof liquor constitute one drink. However, consuming far too much alcohol can cause a significant increase in blood pressure. Additionally, it can lessen the efficiency various drugs to lower blood pressure.
  3. Give up smoking – Blood pressure goes up when you smoke. Smoking cessation lowers blood pressure. It may also lengthen life by lowering the probability of heart disease as well as enhancing general health.
  4. Have a restful night’s sleep – Getting under six hours of rest each night for a few weeks might result in poor sleep quality, which can lead to hypertension. Numerous conditions, such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and general insomnia, can interfere with sleep (insomnia). If you frequently have difficulties sleeping, let your healthcare professional know. Sleep quality can be increased by identifying and treating the problem. To achieve more comfortable sleep, although, if you don’t suffer from sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome, try these easy suggestions.

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July 15, 2022 0

If you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), you can take steps to protect your kidneys from more damage.

  • Maintain a healthy blood pressure level.

The most important thing you can do to treat kidney illness is to control your blood pressure. Hypertension can cause kidney injury. You can preserve your kidneys by maintaining the blood pressure at or below the level recommended by your doctor. Blood pressure will be less than 140/90 mm Hg for the majority of people.

  • If you have diabetes, achieve your blood glucose target.

Your specialist would also check your A1C.. The A1C complete blood count ( cbc determines your normal blood sugar level over the last three months. This test is distinct from the routine blood glucose tests you perform. The higher your A1C score, the larger your blood sugar over the last three months. Maintain a close eye on your daily blood glucose levels to help you reach your A1C target.

  • Assess your kidney health with the help of your medical team.

The tests used by doctors to diagnose kidney illness could also be used to detect changes in kidney function and damage. Kidney disease deteriorates with time. Ask your healthcare provider how well the test findings compare to the previous ones every time you are examined.

  • Take medicines exactly as directed.

Take your medicines as per your doctor’s advice.

  • Create a food plan with the help of a dietician.
  • Include physical activity in your daily routine.
  • Strive towards a healthy weight.
  • Get adequate rest.
  • Quit smoking.
  • Discover healthy coping mechanisms for stress and despair.

If you are facing these 10 Things, Get Kidney Treatment at our San Dimas, Covina, Pasadena, Upland & Ontario Clinics. Please call to make an appointment: California Kidney Specialists

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June 23, 2022 0

Myth: All kidney diseases are incurable

Fact: Most kidney diseases are curable with timely treatment. Some kidney diseases are irreversible and progressive (progress towards end-stage renal failure), but this progression can be slowed down if the disease is detected and treated early and appropriately.

Myth: There’s nothing you can do about getting Kidney Disease

Fact: Most cases of kidney disease could be prevented.

Diabetes & High Blood Pressure cause nearly three-fourths of all cases of kidney failure. Keeping those conditions under control can help you prevent Kidney Disease

Myth: Kidney Stones cause kidney disease

Fact: Kidney stones rarely cause kidney damage.

1 in 10 people will have a kidney stone, yet the great majority will never develop kidney disease. Kidney stones are rarely left untreated because they are so painful. Help prevent kidney stones by drinking plenty of water every day.

Myth: I feel fine, so I don’t need to continue with treatment

Fact: Many patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) feel very well with proper therapy, and so they may discontinue medications/treatment. Discontinuation of therapy in CKD can be dangerous., as it can lead to rapid worsening of kidney function leading to an earlier requirement for initiation of dialysis/kidney transplantation.

 Myth: Kidney Transplant cannot happen before dialysis

Fact: Pre-emptive transplantation refers to kidney transplantation before a patient needs to start dialysis therapy. Patients who get a pre-emptive transplant receive their kidney when their health is generally good, which can improve new kidney function and enhance overall health and life expectancy.

Myth: No one knows what causes kidney disease.

Fact: The two most common causes of kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure. Both can harm your kidneys by causing damage to the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys. Many other conditions can harm the kidneys.

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June 16, 2022 0

If you have high blood pressure, your doctor might recommend getting more exercise. While medication can help manage your blood pressure, exercise is an excellent way to help lower your blood pressure by making your heart stronger and maintaining a healthy weight.

  1. Aerobic classes. Sign up for classes like aqua aerobics, Zumba, and a functional fitness class. When in doubt, ask your gym or rec center what classes they offer that fit your needs.
  2. Hiking: The muscle power needed to climb a road on an incline, a hill or a mountain can help you achieve a greater level of fitness. Physical activity such as hiking can lower blood pressure up to 10 points.
  3. Riding your bike does count if it’s done for at least 10 minutes and you’re actively pedaling. A beginner cycling class could also be a great way to get a workout scheduled into your routine.
  4. Swimming: This form of exercise can be beneficial in controlling blood pressure in adults 60 and older, another study found. Over a period of 12 weeks, swimmer participants gradually worked their way up to 45 minutes of continuous swimming at a time. By the end of the study, the swimmers had reduced their systolic blood pressure by an average of nine points.
  5. Brisk walking. You’ll have to walk faster than you normally walk to elevate your heart and break

 

All CKS Nephrologists have expertise in treating and preventing Primary/Essential and Secondary Hypertension. Our Nephrologists will work with our patients and their families to create a comprehensive plan of treatment that will include dietary counseling, exercise, and medications to optimize blood pressure control.

 

Hypertension, or High Blood Pressure, which if left untreated, increases the risk of your having a heart attack Get treated at our San Dimas, Covina, Pesadana, Upland & Ontario Clinics

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California Kidney Specialists is one of the largest kidney care groups In Southern California with over 35 years of dedicated service & has a team of experienced nephrologists, kidney transplant specialists and kidney transplant surgeons in California.

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