In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Kidneys podcast, Dallas Nephrology Associates Dietitian, Nadiya Lakhani, RDN, CSR, LD, FNKF,  explains why weight management is important to the general population and how it affects the kidneys.   How does weight affect the kidneys? When the body carries more weight than it can handle, it increases the demand on the kidneys to hyper filtrate. In other words, it forces your kidneys to work harder, which will eventually cause them to be overworked. On the flip side, unintentional weight loss increases the risk of that person having increased day ..read more

In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Kidneys podcast, Dr. Muhammad Qureshi talks about the benefits of a kidney transplant, why it’s a good choice after kidney failure, and what the process looks like before, during and after.  Why should a CKD patient consider a kidney transplant?  Dr. Qureshi talks about the fact that there are both mortality and morbidity benefits of a kidney transplant. In other words, not only do you live longer, but you live better.  Who qualifies for a kidney transplant? Anyone who has a kidney function less than 20% or someone who has already started ..read more

In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Kidneys podcast, Dr. Lauren McDonald talks about the types of dialysis that can be done successfully in your own home including home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. She puts extra emphasis on the fact that choosing the right dialysis modality is a very personal choice and should be made based on a patient’s lifestyle and what is most important to them.   Overview of Home Hemodialysis Home hemodialysis is done in the home. Currently, the dialysis machine is about the size of a nightstand and everything is self contained. It does require 3.5 to ..read more

In this episode of the Let’s Talk About Kidneys podcast, Dr. Richey talks about the different types of dialysis and provides an overview to help patients and caregivers to understand what is involved and how to decide which modality is right for each patient.    When is dialysis necessary? Dialysis is recommended when a patient’s kidneys can no longer safely support them. This is determined based on several factors: Creatinine levels Potassium levels Fluid overload Dr. Richey also mentions that doctors consider how the patient feels in addition to the items above. Can they do ..read more

No day is ever the same for a nephrologist. Dallas Nephrology Associates’ Dr. Paul Skluzacek may see his kidney patients in the office, have hospital rounds, dialysis rounds and much more. In this episode of Let’s Talk About Kidneys, learn about Dr. Skluzacek’s busy days providing patient care and how his schedule changes from one day to another.  What is a Nephrologist?  Nephrologists are kidney doctors. They have special training that includes completion of medical school followed by a residency in Internal Medicine and then additional specialty training in Nephrology. They treat s ..read more

Tune into this episode where Dallas Nephrologist Dr. Michael R. Wiederkehr explains when you might need to see a Nephrologist. Dr. Weiderkehr breaks down what a nephrologist does and which tests might indicate it’s time to see a kidney doctor.    What is a Nephrologist? Nephrologists treat systemic conditions affecting kidneys, such as diabetes and autoimmune disease, as well as hypertension (high blood pressure) and electrolyte disturbances. They are experts in kidney care.    What is the difference between a Urologist and a Nephrologist?  Urologists and Nephrologists ..read more

Tune into this episode where Dallas Nephrologist Dr. Daniel Richey talks about how some medications can keep your kidneys from working the way they should. Dr. Richey covers the most common over-the-counter (OTC) medications that are approved and not approved for patients diagnosed with kidney disease. Learn how to choose the right medications, and which ones to avoid. What OTC Medications Should Kidney Patients Avoid  Dr. Richey explains that the most important class of medications that patients with kidney disease should know about are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The ..read more

Take a behind-the-scenes look into the world of DNA with real examples of our values in daily life. In this episode, Sandra M. Lauriat, MD, Nephrologist, and Director of CKD Education, talks about the importance of educating patients to make better choices and DNA's groundbreaking kidney patient education program.    What is Healthcare Literacy?  DNA believes in encouraging patients to understand and find reliable information regarding their own health. We also believe in providing education that's easy to understand and applicable to patients to improve the efficacy of health c ..read more

Have you ever wondered how a primary care physician and nephrologist work together to help manage kidney disease? In today’s episode, we will talk about the role of each doctor and how they partner together to coordinate a patient’s care and take a look at the relationship between the Primary Care Physician (PCP) and the Nephrologist. Find out how they coordinate their care to help ensure a healthier patient.    How a Patient Can Be Prepared for their First Nephrology Visit   Make sure to write down questions you want to ask your nephrologist. Many times, patients are questionin ..read more

Take a behind-the-scenes look into the world of DNA with real examples of our values in daily life. In this episode, transplant-recipient Tiffany Archibald talks about her exceptional journey, life post-transplant, and how she’s maintained a healthy lifestyle.   Holistic Healing After Transplant After her first transplant, Tiffany began to look at her health more holistically. Transplant recipients are usually referred to a renal dietitian to help them design a diet that’s healthy and achievable post-transplant. This often includes removing any preservatives and focusing on fresh fruits a ..read more