the latest updates in kidney care

After a kidney transplant, previous food restrictions you experienced when on dialysis are no longer required. The main goal of your post-transplant diet is to help fight infection, maintain muscle strength, and provide your body with the nutrients and minerals it needs to heal. Key Points After a kidney transplant, a specialized diet is needed as your nutritional needs have...

Insulin (a hormone) and potassium (an essential mineral) both play vital roles in the body. Insulin helps to control and maintain blood sugar levels in a healthy range, slowing or preventing kidney damage. The kidneys have an essential role in maintaining the right amount of potassium in the body. Both high and low potassium levels can cause damage to the...

Alport syndrome is a rare genetic disease that affects the kidneys. This condition is caused by problems with three genes that control how parts of the eyes, kidneys, and ears are formed. Alport syndrome almost always results in kidney disease and may also result in eye and hearing problems. While there is no cure for Alport syndrome, there are treatments...

The kidneys filter waste products, toxins, and excess fluid from the bloodstream. They also play important roles in other essential functions in the body. Without correctly functioning kidneys, the build-up of waste products, fluid, and toxins can negatively affect other organs in the body. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a common condition that affects approximately 37 million Americans. This disease...

During some pregnancies, there may be a build-up of urine in the baby’s kidneys due to a blockage. This causes the kidney to swell as the urine is unable to flow from the kidneys through the ureter and the bladder. This condition often sorts itself out on its own without treatment. There is treatment available if necessary. If a baby...

Water is essential for human life. Dehydration is a common condition that occurs when there isn’t enough fluid in the body. Low body water can be caused by not drinking enough fluids or by losing fluids from the body faster than they can be replaced. Dehydration may cause other conditions, such as low or high blood pressure, and can further...

Cystinosis is an inherited disorder that causes an abnormal buildup of cystine (an amino acid) in the body. This rare disease typically presents in infants and children when they are young. There is currently no cure for this rare disease. However, there are available treatments that can improve life expectancy. Key Points Cystinosis is a rare genetic disorder that is...

The urinary system is responsible for making and expelling urine, which is made up of extra fluid and waste products. For urination to occur normally, all organs in the urinary tract need to work together in the correct order. The urinary tract is made up of two ureters, two kidneys, a urethra, and the bladder. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and...

The bladder and kidneys are both part of the urinary tract. They play an essential role in filtering out wastes and toxins from the bloodstream and removing them from the body as urine. What we eat and drink has an impact on the amount of waste, toxins, and extra fluid that needs to be removed from the bloodstream. In this...

The kidneys are essential organs in the body that are needed for survival. Most people are born with two bean-shaped kidneys. These organs are part of the urinary tract that is responsible for creating and removing urine from the body. Sometimes, after birth, one or both kidneys may not develop properly, resulting in them being smaller than usual. Chronic infections,...

Smoking is a well-known risk factor for many diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and lung disease. According to the CDC, more than 16 million Americans live with a disease that has been caused by smoking, including kidney disease. If you smoke, you have control over one of the most significant risks to the health of your kidneys and overall...

Gallstones and kidney stones form in different organs in the body, but they can be similar in many ways. For example, both kidney stones and gallstones can form and exist in the body without causing any symptoms. They may not require any treatment unless they get big enough to block the flow of fluids in their respective organs and systems....

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that most adults (2 out of 3) in the U.S. consume alcohol. In the U.S., a standard drink contains 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol, with heavy drinking being defined as eight or more standard drinks per week for women and 15 or more standard drinks per week for men. Drinking a little alcohol (one...

Not all kidney disease has the same root cause; some may be caused by genetic conditions passed down from parents, or other kidney diseases may be caused by high blood pressure or diabetes. In this article, we break down the causes of polycystic kidney disease and chronic kidney disease. Key Points Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disease that...

Despite existing guidelines outlining the daily recommended intake of dietary sodium, people worldwide typically exceed these guidelines. Too much salt can increase the strain on your kidneys, making it harder for them to remove excess water from the body. Many kidney disease patients, including those on renal replacement therapy, may need to reduce or limit the amount of salt and...

Many people are deficient in Vitamin D. The Centers for Disease found that more than 50% of Americans have low levels of vitamin D, and roughly 35% of adults have a vitamin D deficiency. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an increasing burden on the healthcare system. Vitamin D deficiency is common in CKD patients due to decreased kidney function. Growing...

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is growing at an increased rate and currently affects 15% of American adults. There are a number of physical signs of CKD. However, many people associate them with other conditions or do not present with any physical signs. This can make spotting early warning signs of CKD very challenging for both the person and healthcare providers....

While not as common or frequently occurring as chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults, CKD does develop in children. As of 2018, more than 10,000 children and adolescents with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) live in the United States. Key Points CKD affects people of all backgrounds and ages, including children. The causes of pediatric CKD include birth defects, nephrotic syndrome,...

The human body is complicated, with systems and organs relying on each other to function. When one organ is not working correctly due to a condition, it can put additional stress on the other organs, stopping them from functioning correctly. One example of this interrelated and complicated relationship is between kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. Key Points Chronic kidney disease...

In the U.S., chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 37 million people, with hypertension and diabetes responsible for two-thirds of these cases. CKD is also a significant risk factor for developing diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease. Thus, regular screenings are the most effective approach to preventing and detecting CKD early. Key Points The only way to clinically diagnose CKD is through...

Water is essential to maintaining human life and makes up most of your body weight. Consuming enough water and fluids every day can prevent dehydration and support the correct functioning of the body. Key Points By drinking enough fluids, the kidneys are able to effectively clear waste products, sodium, and urea from the bloodstream. Kidney stones and urinary tract infections...

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant health problem that affects more than 37 million adults in the United States. The growing burden of CKD continues to increase its associated financial costs and contribute to total mortality Fragmented healthcare systems fail to adequately identify at-risk populations timely, resulting in many CKD patients only being diagnosed in the later stages of...

Thirty-seven million adults in the U.S. are estimated to have chronic kidney disease, with most undiagnosed. Early detection and treatment can help slow disease progression and may prevent kidney failure from developing. Care for patients with CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is often complex and fragmented across the care continuum. This may result in patients not receiving the care...

Chronic kidney disease is one of the leading causes of fatalities in the U.S., with an estimated 37 million adults having a diagnosis. CKD has varying stages of kidney damage that generally gets worse with time if left untreated or not appropriately treated. However, not all CKD patients will progress to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Once detected, patients will need...

More than 50,000 people in the U.S. live with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). ESRD, or kidney failure, is the last stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD). ESRD cannot be reversed and is generally treated with long-term dialysis or a kidney transplant. Key Points  A kidney transplant is typically performed to treat kidney failure, as long-term dialysis increases patients’ risk of developing adverse risk...

The current standard for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients is a kidney transplant or dialysis when a kidney donor is unavailable. The global dialysis population is exponentially growing, with 3 million patients worldwide currently on hemodialysis. The need for kidney organ donors in the U.S. is predicted to grow 8% each year (from 2018). Thus, there is an increased need...

Sleep disorders are prevalent in the general U.S. adult population, and their impact on overall quality of life has been well-documented. In patients with kidney disease, sleep disorders are more frequent, which may increase both mortality and morbidity. Sleep disorders and kidney health have a complex bidirectional relationship that remains under investigated. Key Points  Poor sleep has been associated with decreasing...

Understanding what your health insurance covers, what you owe, and what resources are available to help pay for your care during the kidney disease journey can be confusing. In this article, we briefly summarize the financial aspects of kidney disease and the different resources available. Key Points End-Stage Renal Disease and kidney failure treatment are expensive, with many people requiring...

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a disease characterized by a progressive decrease in kidney function. The most common causes of kidney disease are hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes. Simultaneously CKD patients are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. It is well-documented that exercise is important in maintaining health and preventing the development and progression of chronic diseases....

The COVID-19 pandemic presented new and further highlighted existing challenges in nephrology. One of the biggest challenges faced in effectively managing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is access to renal care in a primary care setting. As of 2020, in the U.S., at least 20% of the population, and approximately 36% of registered veterans live in...

In the U.S., over 37 million people (more than 1 in 7 adults)  have CKD.  The real number is estimated to be even higher, since this disease does not typically present symptoms in the early stages of disease progression. In 2002, the Nation Kidney Foundation (NKF) published work that acknowledged that despite differing causes for CKD, all kidney diseases resulted...

In America, chronic kidney disease affects over 37 million people, with more than 750,000 patients having end-stage renal disease (ESRD). It is estimated that $144 billion, or 1 in every 5 dollars in Medicare, is spent annually on kidney disease patients, with anticipated increases. Healthcare payers and providers play two distinct roles in the healthcare system while being interlinked. This...

Kidney disease is the fastest-growing noncommunicable disease in the U.S., with 15% or 1 in 7 adults affected. Recognizing the causes and risk factors for CKD is essential to reduce or prevent associated adverse outcomes such as acute kidney injury (AKI), increased risk for stroke, and progression to kidney failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Key Points: Chronic Kidney Disease...

In addition to attacking the respiratory system, COVID-19, an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, may also cause severe and persistent damage to other organs, including the kidneys and the heart. Current research shows that the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected the kidney community, causing substantial challenges in kidney disease management and kidney research. Kidney disease patients faced increased disease...

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a chronic disease characterized by progressive kidney damage, which decreases the ability to filter waste products from the bloodstream. If the kidney damage is severe, it is called end-stage kidney disease (ESRD) or kidney failure. Diabetes and hypertension (high blood sugar levels) are CKD's two most common causes. CKD is a global public health burden,...

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the ninth leading cause of death and the fastest-growing noncommunicable disease in the United States. Over 37 million people have kidney disease, affecting over 1 in 7 American adults. Approximately 1 in every 5 dollars in traditional medicare, or $114 billion per year, is estimated to be spent on patients across the kidney disease spectrum....

Kidney disease and diabetes frequently coexist, with diabetes being one of the leading causes of kidney failure, accounting for 44% of new cases. In the U.S., kidney disease attributed to diabetes is a significant and often under-recognized contributor to the burden of disease. While the statistics may seem worrisome, there are multiple steps and interventions to take that may reduce...

Gout has been linked to kidney disease (CKD) through the filtration of uric acid through the kidneys. CKD is a known cause of gout, and gout may also lead to kidney disease. In the U.S., 1 in 10 people with CKD are reported to have gout. As gout and CKD are so closely related, it is essential that the protection...

Blood glucose (sugar) usually fluctuates between a healthy range throughout the day due to many factors such as eating a meal, exercising, or disease. If your glucose levels go above or below a specific healthy range, it may cause damage to your body. Patients who have hypoglycemia and kidney disease are at an increased risk of other complications and further...

In the U.S., more than 1 in 7 (15%) of adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease, with as many as 9 in 10 adults not knowing that they have CKD. Two of the most common causes of CKD are hypertension and diabetes, with other risk factors including heart disease. The term “heart disease” encompasses several types of heart...

We often talk about the effects of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on the body, but living with CKD may also impact mental and emotional health. Living with a chronic disease may leave you feeling overwhelmed and anxious. If these feelings are left unchecked, they may become more frequent, leading to the development of depression. Speaking to your Circle of Care...

For those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), nutrition plays an important role in improving or maintaining a high quality of life. Adequate intake of protein and other macronutrients helps provide the body with energy, prevents disease, and allows the body to function correctly. Key Points: Albumin (a form of protein) plays an important role in...

Proper kidney function is vital to regulating arterial blood pressure and removing waste products and excess fluid from the body. Blood pressure is characterized as the pressure of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries when pumped from the heart. Typically, for a healthy adult, blood pressure rises and falls throughout the day. However, if your blood pressure stays...

In the US, high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes are the leading causes of end-stage renal disease or kidney failure. In fact, 40% of people with stage 4 CKD do not even know they have chronic kidney disease. Managing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its associated complications may be possible through early intervention, such as managing risk factors and treating...

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a chronic condition that can eventually progress into end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and kidney failure. Different genetic, clinical, and environmental factors may influence the rate of an individual's CKD progression, and current treatment options only work to delay disease progression and support prolonged life expectancy. However, comprehensive care models provide the framework and access to...

The healthcare industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with value based care being a critically discussed topic. Value based care provides a framework to help address rising healthcare costs, improve the sustainability of healthcare systems, and improve patient outcomes. Many existing care models have been identified as not adequately supporting value based care, with remaining opportunities to improve the efficiency...

The disease burden of renal failure, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is a significant challenge for healthcare systems. CKD patients have complex needs, and care is often fragmented, with missed opportunities to improve overall patient care and reduce costs. Globally, there has been a push to create new integrated service models for CKD patients, with an...

More than 37 million Americans are estimated to have kidney disease, with many more at risk of developing kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition characterized by the kidneys no longer being able to filter blood as they should due to damage. Symptoms of kidney damage generally do not present until your kidneys are badly damaged. This late...

Value-based healthcare (VBHC) is one of the most important topics being explored in healthcare transformation today. This strategy aims to maximize patient value by achieving the best outcomes possible at the lowest cost. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) have complex needs that are costly since they require high-quality, coordinated care. Historically, models of care...

In healthcare practices, daily operations can often seem overwhelming. From billing and collections to coding and compliance, there are many tasks that need to be managed efficiently in order for the practice to run smoothly. It can be tempting to try and handle all these different responsibilities on your own, but it is often a better practice to work with...

Patients with chronic diseases such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) have complex needs that are often costly to manage. This can make healthcare delivery more challenging. Patient-centered care provides patients with holistic care management that reaches beyond healthcare systems. This approach reduces patient discomfort and fear and improves emotional and physical recovery. Implementing patient-centered care as part of a comprehensive...

More than 15% of American adults are at risk of developing chronic kidney disease during their lifetime. To slow disease progression, people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) need to be able to perform self-management. This vital yet complex task requires support and individualized care from healthcare professionals.  However, some CKD patients report insufficient collaboration, communication, and support from healthcare professionals,...

Data Science has emerged in the medical industry as a tool that provides healthcare systems with multiple integrated approaches to data. These integrated approaches include data cleaning, storage, analysis, processing, interpretation, and the collection of large volumes of data. Examples of large volumes of data in kidney care include that generated in treating chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal...

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects 1 in 7 U.S. adults – an estimated 37 Million Americans (Source: NIDDK). While another 1 in 3 U.S. adults (approx. 80 Million) face late-stage kidney disease or, in some cases, kidney failure (also known as end-stage renal disease or ESRD). The treatment of CKD and ESRD has high societal costs in treatments and common...

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is irreversible and characterized by its progressive nature. There are treatment and management options available that both providers and patients can take to help slow CKD disease progression. Another factor that affects the progression of CKD is the delivery of care that a patient receives. Panoramic Health is the leader in integrated value-based care, designed and...