Kidney Beans

Lowering Blood Pressure Without Medication

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 06:48:00 +0000

If you have high blood pressure or in danger of doing so, there are a number of things you can do to lower blood pressure without medication.

While taking BP medicine is a fast and simple way to go about it they aren't always the best way to go about it since they do some with side effects. In fact, most doctors will only put you on BP medication when natural ways aren't effective. Here are some ways. You can also read more here.

1. Exercise

One of the most effective ways of lowering your blood pressure is exercising. This means physical activity and movement. The goal is to try to get 30 minutes of exercise daily or three and a half hours a week.

Cardiovascular exercise is one of the best ways for lowering blood pressure. This includes walking and jogging or using workout equipment like treadmills, ellipticals, spinning bikes or step machines.

If you have knee or back problems be sure to choose non-impact machines like elliptical machines, rowers, or even recumbent exercise bikes.

2. Reduce Sodium in Your Diet

In general, the modern diet is filled with too much sodium. Sodium, more commonly known to us as salt is added during the marinading process, the cooking process and even as a condiment at the table.

Current health guidelines tell us to limit sodium intake to 2300 mg per day. To put things into consideration, a Quarter Pounder Bacon & Cheese has 1440 mg of sodium which pretty much takes up that entire limit. A Big Mac is slightly better at close to 1000 mg, but still a lot. If you add fries to that you'll even get more sodium.

If you have high blood pressure (above 120/80), you'll want to control sodium to 1500 mg per day.

A good way to do this is to remove the salt shaker from the dining table so you don't add any more salt. Also, read the labels of food you buy.

Other Lifestyle Changes to Lower Blood Pressure

In general, adding daily 30 minutes of exercise or physical activity with lowering your salt intake is more than enough to lower your blood pressure considerably.

Though some other lifestyle changes really help you avoid having to take any blood pressure medication to manage your BP.

1. Limit your alcohol intake

Alcohol has been proven to help control blood pressure. But they always forget to mention that it only does so when done very moderately. This means less than 2 drinks a day. After that, they become more harmful than helpful.

2. Stop smoking

Smoking along with inhaling second hand smoke does a lot more harm not only to your lungs but also for your blood pressure.

3. Lose Weight

If you are overweight, losing the extra pounds makes a big difference in improving your blood pressure levels. It has been shown that heart health and blood pressure are directly correlated to the size of your waistline.

4. Lower Stress Levels

This is harder said than done. But whatever is causing the stress, whether from work or relationships, lowing the amount of stress from these events will help lower your BP.

5. Get a Blood Pressure Monitor

Thanks to modern technology, you don't need to go to the doctor's clinic to have your blood pressure done. Just buy a blood pressure monitor so you can check your BP regularly. These units are electronic and compact, so you can just strap on the cuff, press a button and wait for the systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels to appear in the monitor's screen.

Kidney Disease Stages

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 06:36:00 +0000

The stages of kidney disease is one of the simplest ways to figure out how far the disease has gone. It is also a way wherein doctors can assess their patients and set up some guidelines, including dietary, lifestyle and medicine based to stop the progression.

There are two very important things you want to understand about kidney disease and its stages. One, kidney disease is often silent and you don't experience any symptoms until it has progressed a bit. For this reason it is important to have your annual checkups done specially if you have a family history of kidney issues.

The second important thing you need to be aware of is kidney disease is irreversible. It doesn't go away once it's there. But the one thing you want to do is keep it from progressing any further.

The great thing about the kidney is that it's a very resilient organ. That's why even when there is already damage, you still don't feel any symptoms. It is strong enough to compensate for any damaged portions of the organ to work more than sufficiently.

Checking for Kidney Disease

The stages of kidney disease is based on its GFR or glomerular filtration rate. This represents the rate at which the filtration system of the kidney is able to get rid of toxins from the body which is its main function.

The GFR can be measured in a variety of ways. But often they take more time to do so you aren't asked by the doctors to do them unless you have some signs of kidney disease or have a family history of it.

As a faster and easier alternative, you doctor will monitor your blood pressure, blood sugar, creatinine and BUN levels. When something is amiss from these that hints to possible kidney disease, your physician will ask you to have either your creatinine clearance or GFR done.

Stages of Kidney Disease

The following is a breakdown of the kidney disease stages. They range from stages 1 through 5 with stage 1 being the earlier stage.

Stage 1: GFR is at 90 ml/min or higher

At this stage you still have normal or high GFR, so you won't feel any effects. Most issues will be seen in your lab tests like elevated creatinine or BUN, and protein in the urine.

Stage 2: GFR is between 60 and 89 ml/min

At this stage, kidney disease is still at it mild form.

Stage 3: Divide into stages 3A and 3B where GFR is still at 45 to 59 ml/min, and 30 to 44 ml/min, respectively.

During these stages, you already have a moderate form of the disease.

Stage 4: GFR between 15 and 29 ml/min

At this time, the chronic kidney disease is severe and you will definitely feel a number of symptoms at this stage. As much as possible you want to prevent your GFR from going below 30 mL/min as this gets you very close to needing dialysis or getting a kidney transplant. Ideally, you want your GFR to be as high as possible and keep it that way by following a good diet, exercise, keeping blood pressure and blood sugar are good levels and taking the medicine prescribed by your doctors.

Stage 5: GFR at 15 ml/min or lower

This stage is what doctors refer to as end stage kidney disease. Most doctors will draw a line at this level where you must have dialysis or your transplant. Many centers will get you listed on the transplant list when you get to 15 ml/min, while others will start asking you to look for donors when you get to 20 ml/min.

Final Thoughts

For the most part (during stage 1 to 2, and even to stage 3), you may not feel much of the symptoms, though lab tests like creatinine and BUN will already be elevated giving you hints of possible kidney disease.

Having your GFR done will allow you to know which stage you are in. As much as possible you want to control the disease to keep the GFR from dropping to dangerous levels.

Physical Activity After Transplant

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 09:06:00 +0000

After transplantation, be it kidney, liver or heart you doctors will advise you to take up some form of physical exercise. The more routine and regular the exercise the better. This is not to say that you're out to train or be an athlete but that doesn't hurt either if you want to do that. In fact, there's the Transplant Games which is held regularly that promotes camaraderie among fellow transplant patients and is made to inspire everyone to get in shape and show that being a transplant patient doesn't mean you can't get involved in sports.

Going back to physical activity. The reasons doctors want transplant patients to be active is that it is healthy. It is for regular people, but more important for those who've had transplants. This is due to the fact that most of us are on prednisone.

Prednisone is a drug used to combat rejection. But it has a lot of side effects, one of which is, with long term use will make bones weak and brittle. This makes patients, not just transplantees, who are on the drug susceptible to weaker bones that could be more prone to fractures. And in the longer term, osteoporosis.

Two trains of thought come into play with regard to physical activity. One is cardiovascular or aerobic, and other other is resistance training. For most people one or the other may work. But for transplant patients, a combination of the two is much better because you want to get the bone and muscle building effects of resistance training to battle the effects of prednisone, which not only weakens the bones, but with prolong use at sufficient doses also wastes away muscles.

Cardiovascular exercise on the other hand is there for heart health and better blood circulation. This is important because it is one of the best ways to ward off high blood pressure which is the main enemy of the kidney. It also helps keep down your lipid levels (cholesterol, triglycerides and other) to normal ranges. The one last thing it does very well is regulate blood sugar. This is vital since you diabetes is one of the leading causes of high blood pressure that also leads many to kidney disease. For those on prednisone, you'll want to add aerobic exercise to your routine since prednisone also does a number on our blood sugar levels. So if you can get off the drug or find a transplant center that follows a no prednisone protocol this would be a good way to avoid the serious side effects of the drug.

Cardiovascular Workouts

The simplest way for anyone to get a cardio workout is to walk. It's that simple. You see treadmills, exercise bikes and elliptical machines all around. These do the job very well but if you don't have or want to spend extra cash then a good quick way to get yourself into any aerobic workout is to walk.

You can walk, jog or run. Your choice. But when starting out walking is the easiest. Start by taking a leisurely 5 minute walk. Then increase that by 5 minutes every week until you get 30 minutes a day, and increase the intensity until you're brisk walking. The great thing about walking is you can squeeze it in anywhere.

Take the stairs each time instead of the escalator or elevator. Walk the dog or just stroll around the a few blocks after you get home. The keys are get to 30 minutes a day and walk a good speed. This means you want to walk at least 3 MPH. Some people can go faster between 4 to 6 MPH, but 3 MPH is enough and just adjust to a pace that you feel is right when you achieve that.

If you prefer exercise equipment, a good exercise bike works very well. Other good choices would be treadmills, mini step machines and elliptical trainers.

The key to cardiovascular exercise is movement.

Resistance Training at Home

In contrast to aerobic/cardiovascular exercise, resistance training is more focused on working the muscles. This is done by lifting objects to work specific muscles. While cardio builds stamina, resistance workouts are more focused on strength.

Know that were not after size in this case. Though if you like looking buff (for the guys), and toned (for the ladies) you can go that route too.

The main goal of resistance training in this case to to build the muscles so they're strong. A strong muscular system protects your bones from carrying the load. It also reduces chances of injury in day to day activities. Lastly, they keep your bones strong.

While the goal in the aerobic workouts mentioned earlier was length of exercise and speed, the focus here is to challenge the muscles. Resistance training only works if you are challenged. So it isn't worth much if you lift something you can easily carry 50 times. What you want is to lift something that is about 70 to 80% of what you can carry at full strength for about 5 to 12 repetitions.

Working the right muscles is likewise important. And for transplant patients, this often prioritizes the spine and hips. So you'll need to work your legs.

Going to the gym and hiring a trainer is great, but a cheaper way would be to get adjustable dumbbells. Take note of the word adjustable. There are many dumbbells that are fixed in weight, you don't want that since you'll need heavier weights for the legs and lighter ones for the arms. Also when you get stronger you need to increase weight to get any lasting effects. You won't want to keep buying new sets of weights.

Including the Two Exercise Types in Your Regimen

Combining resistance training and cardiovascular exercise isn't difficult. If you want something that's very structured an easy way to go about it would be to take every other day. Or you could also insert the cardio workout as the warm up before every resistance training workout.

An alternative would be to try a rowing machine. This is an indoor rowing equipment that mimics rowing a boat on water. What you do is row for a specific amount of time at a specified pace. This gives you the cardiovascular portion of the workout. The rowing motion, which starts with the legs pushing then the back pulling along with the arms works the legs, hips and back the most which are the most important body parts transplant patients want to work on.

There are a lot of rowing machines around and you don't have to get the high end Concept2 rowers which are expensive. Though they're awesome. There are a lot of affordable home rowing machines that work really well.

If you don't believe me, take a look at the world class rowers in the Olympics. These guys are tested for their lung capacity and breathing ability. And if you look at their stature, they're built solid from head to toe with the strongest muscles being the legs/thighs and back.

Post Transplant Watch: Bone Disease

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 08:14:00 +0000

Bone disease is something that kidney disease often brings with it. The reason for this is that our kidneys play a major role in building our bones and keeping them strong.

One other issue is steroids. Most kidney transplant centers have used steroids as part of their immunosuppression protocols. Over the years, great strides in the post kidney transplant medication management have allowed doctors to minimize the doses of steroids we have to take in order to keep our transplants. In fact, there a already a number of transplant centers that have moved to a steroid-free immunosuppression protocol with great success rates.

But for most of us, whose transplant centers regimens include steroids, and for those who require steroids otherwise experience rejection, the consequences of steroids is something we have to deal with.

Here are some steps that doctors will monitor closely in order to minimize the problems caused by steroids with respect to bone disease.

RISK FOR OSTEOPEROSIS

Osteopenia and osteoperosis are two situations that everyone looks to avoid. They are signs that our bones are weaker that should be and in many cases more brittle and thinner also. Having weaker bones makes us more susceptible to fractures and other bone injuries as well as unwanted changes in our stature that make it more difficult to function normally.

For patients at risk of osteoperosis, the following guidelines will help in preventing it from happening and keep a close watch so that more aggressive treatment can be made when there are possible signs of moving towards it.

Being in any of following situations may put you in greater risk of osteoperosis

Women
Menopause or above 45 years
Personal or family history of low-trauma fractures
Amenorrhoea (absence of menstrual bleeding)
Slender build (BMI <>

STEP 1: Weight bearing exercises

I learned that weight bearing exercises are very important in keeping our bones strong. They also help build bone density. The logic sounds contrary to what we'd normally think. Common thinking would be, by not pushing or handling weight, we preserve our bones. But ironically, forcing our bones against heavier objects and making them 'work', actually improves their health, similar to how our muscles react to exercise. While being sedentary makes our bones deteriorate faster.

Not all exercises, however, are created equal. Some help in increasing bone mass and strength, while others don't. For example, exercises like lifting weights, brisk walking, climbing stairs strengthen bones, while swimming, rowing, cycling have been shown not to be as effective.

Also, different exercises affect different bones. Activities like climbing stairs, jumping and brisk walking help increase bone density in the hips and spine, whereas push-ups, for example, strengthen the bones in with wrist, arms and shoulders.

STEP 2: If you smoke, stop

Studies have shown that smoking is detrimental to bone health and bone healing.

The reason? Cigarettes and tobacco contain nicotine, which constricts blood vessels of their normal diameter. Because of the constriction of the vessels, the amount of nutrients that are supplied to the bones are less than they should be.

STEP 3:Calcium carbonate

Taking calcium carbonate is often needed in order to make sure that you get sufficient calcium that may otherwise be lacking from diet.

STEP 4:Vitamin D if or other activated forms of Vitamin D

Along with calcium, vitamin D is needed in order to build bones. With lessened function, the kidney isn't able to produce the same amount of vitamin D that it used to. Thus, supplementation with vitamin D is often required.

Depending on how well kidney function is, however, the type of vitamin D matters. If kidney function is good, meaning a GFR of 50ml/min or higher, then the vitamin D3 supplements are often given.

But in cases where there is decreased kidney function, like when creatinine is above 200 μmol/L or 2.3 mg/dL, your doctor may prescribe an activated form of vitamin D formulation like, alfacalcidol.

In doing this, it effectively side steps the need for the kidney to work in order to convert the vitamin D that comes in oral form or sunlight into the activated form which is what the body can use.

STEP 5: DEXA scan

A DEXA scan can be compared to other imaging machines like x-rays, and MRI machines. What they do is to scan through our bones and provide us an indication of how strong our bones are, in terms of bone mass density.

This is something that isn't always done by physicians but something I've learned to be quite important in gauging how well our bones have done over time (if they are improving or weakening) and if the current treatments being prescribed are working.

It is a good idea to get one before transplantation and yearly thereafter for comparison.

In an upcoming post, we will take a look at how the steps may differ when a diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoperosis has been determined.

Kindess From A Stranger

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 06:10:00 +0000

When we look at the world we live in, we often see a lot of harsh and sad events that lead us to look at the world we live in with a negative perspective. The thing is, often enough, just when we're ready to give up on believing that man is still capable of great kindness and compassions, it never fails to pull out a surprise.

Here's a great inspirational story that reminds us of the wonders and generosity we are all capable of. In this instance, a cab driver offers to donate his kidney to a passenger whom he knows needs it.

PHOENIX — Rita Van Loenen had no idea that a trip in Thomas Chappell's taxi cab could end up being the ride that saves her life.

"There are better odds of getting struck by lightning," Van Loenen said. "A random taxi driver offering to give me his kidney and all these pieces match. There has to be something behind this. How can this be?"

Chappell, who has been driving Van Loenen to dialysis appointments, shocked the Gilbert, Ariz. woman a month ago by offering to donate his kidney. But even more shocking to her was that doctors found they had the same blood type, that they were compatible.

"He calls me all excited. If we were a closer match, we would've been siblings. I was ready to fall off the floor," Van Loenen said.

The Phoenix taxi driver said he was a man of faith and that a higher power wanted him to step in.

"By then, me and the good Lord already had a talk. He said 'Tom, you go give her one. It will work," Chappell said.

Last year, Van Loenen, an instructor in special education methods, began feeling ill and experiencing water retention in her legs. She went to see a doctor and was diagnosed with kidney disease. With kidney failure setting in, friends and family were tested but there was no match.

In February, she received her cousin's kidney but that transplant failed. One day, Van Loenen, 63, found herself telling Chappell, 56, about how her son was now going to get tested. Chappell decided to add his name to the list.

"I said 'Rita, your son's a whole lot younger than me. He's got a lot more years. I'm gonna go down and go through the process and see if it will work.' I don't think she really believed I was going to."

The gesture evoked tears of gratitude from Loenen but she was still skeptical.

"A little bit in my heart I didn't believe it. He said 'give me the number' and I have transplant number at Mayo (Clinic in Scottsdale) memorized."

The two first met more than three months ago. It wasn't an auspicious beginning.

Chappell was half an hour late picking Van Loenen up for a dialysis appointment.

"When I got there she was not happy," Chappell said. "And I can understand it now. She's sick and all these things she goes through ... The next day, it just so happens I got her again."

Since then he has — and he insists it is by happenstance — been her taxi driver three to four times a month. For the last month, Chappell has started undergoing the arduous process of donor screening, undergoing numerous tests and exams. But none of it has brought second thoughts.

"This has put a whole new kind of lift in my boots. I never knew what it felt like to give somebody life and that's what I'm doing," Chappell said.

Van Loenen said Chappell never asked for any compensation. She still can't quite believe his level of commitment.

"I've never known anybody so enthusiastic to get a body part removed," Van Loenen said.

After the transplant, which hasn't been scheduled yet, Chappell will need to tread carefully. He will have to rest between four and six weeks but his work has promised to cover his lost wages.

"I've had drivers do some pretty incredibly amazing things for no charge. But this is just over the top," said Jim Hickey, national sales and marketing director for the company that owns VIP Taxi. "We're just so proud of him."

Van Loenen said that, thanks to Chappell, she can actually make plans for the future.

"Whenever I tell my friends or my family, they just find it so incredible," Van Loenen said. "They do call him an angel. My friend says there's angels everywhere. That's the right way to capture it."

Night Hemodialysis Just as Effective as Kidney Transplant

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 02:34:00 +0000

In the first study of its kind, it has been shown that night time home hemodialysis, which is done for 6 to 8 hours nightly, up to 7 days a week, is as effective as receiving a transplant. The long term study focused on comparing the survival rates and how this particular type of dialysis compares with both cadaver and living donor transplantation.

For the first time, it has been shown that patients who receive night home hemodialysis live just as long as those who receive kidney transplants from deceased donors.

[...]

a total of 1,239 patients were followed for up to 12 years. Night home hemodialysis patients were compared to patients who received either a deceased donor kidney transplant or a living donor kidney transplant. The study found that the survival between night home dialysis patients and those who received kidney transplants from deceased donors was comparable, while the survival of the patients who received a transplant from a living kidney donor was better than both the other groups.

These results are encouraging considering the shortage of organs. It provides a means for those waiting for a transplant to maintain good health and good quality of life. In certain situations, it may also be a good alternative to high risk patients that aren't approved for transplants and those who aren't able to get a kidney transplant.

The full article can be found here.

Single Kidney Transplants from Young Donors Effective

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 02:30:00 +0000

In the August publication of The Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, researchers reported that transplanting a single kidney from a young deceased donor is sufficient in maintaining health in an adult with kidney failure.

In most transplant centers, the kidneys of very young deceased donors are transplanted together into one patient. According to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN), a single kidney from a very young deceased donor maintains the health of an adult with kidney failure.

[...]

The researchers' study included all 79 adults who were transplanted at the Tulane Abdominal Transplant Institute with single pediatric kidneys from deceased donors aged 10 years or less between January 1996 and June 2007. Physicians transplanted a single pediatric kidney if it was healthy enough for splitting and the recipient consented. Half of the adults received single pediatric kidneys from donors less than five years of age. The other half received single kidneys from donors aged five to 10 years.

[...]

Patients in the two groups experienced similar rates of kidney rejection and delayed kidney function. In both groups, kidney function improved dramatically in the first year after transplant, and it continued to improve into the third year. Furthermore, patients in the two groups lived a similar length of time. The youngest donor in the study was a nine-month old female; both of her donated kidneys remain healthy more than six years post-transplantation into two different recipients.

The article is saying that based on their findings, using a single kidney from very young diseased donors are able to sustain good health in adults. Often, when the donor is of very young age, both kidneys are transplanted into adult recipients.

This report contradicts previous studies where it has been noticed that adults given single kidneys from very young donors produce more complications compared the those from adult donors.

Wearable Artificial Kidney

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:54:00 +0000

The wearable artificial kidney that is being developed has been successful in preliminary trials. It looks promising with the ability to allow patients to strap on their 'portable dialysis' machines and receive dialysis 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

While it is still going through tests, things look promising.

"Our vision of a technological breakthrough has materialized in the form of a Wearable Artificial Kidney, which provides continuous dialysis 24 hours a day, seven days a week,"

[...]

The device—essentially a miniaturized dialysis machine, worn as a belt—weighs about 10 pounds and is powered by two nine-volt batteries. Because patients don't need to be hooked up to a full-size dialysis machine, they are free to walk, work, or sleep while undergoing continuous, gentle dialysis that more closely approximates normal kidney function.

[...]

The Wearable Artificial Kidney is successful in preliminary tests, including two studies in dialysis patients. The new study provides important information on the technical details that made these promising results possible.

This will be a great innovation that will allow dialysis patients not only avoid having to sit around the dialysis machine during dialysis sessions, but also allow continuous filtering of the toxins from the body, resulting in better health and quality of life.

Pros and Cons of Kidney Biopsies

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:18:00 +0000

Although the kidney biopsy is a very thorough test that is able to provide a good assessment of kidney function, it isn't always the first option doctors go to in diagnosing kidney issues. Other procedures such as blood tests, urine sampling, ultrasound and CT scans are often done first. Only when these have been exhausted and there are still some unanswered questions, or the need to get a more definitive answer to a lingering unknown does the biopsy come into play.

Knowing the pros and cons of having a kidney biopsy should help explain why physicians often take this route.

PROS

Gives a clear cut picture of what is happening, what is affecting the kidney, how much is functioning, amount of renal mass that is still working and any infection or malignancy, if present.
It can find the cause of the kidney problem and tell what the best treatment will be.
Biopsies enable you to avoid being given unnecessary treatment which could have side effects.

CONS

The procedure is invasive, because there is penetration of the skin more risk is involved. The most common complication is bleeding. Another complication is possible damage to the kidney or other parts near it, if the kidney biopsy is done incorrectly. Though complications especially the latter one are very rare.
A kidney biopsy is expensive. The procedure itself which uses an imaging machine, like an x-ray or CT scan, along with the testing and doctors' fees cost significantly more than regular blood tests.
In a biopsy, the doctor will take a part of the kidney, so the sample may not be a complete representation of the health of all the tissues in the kidney. For this reason, some doctors may get elect to take a number of samples from different areas of the kidney during the procedure.

Warning Signs of Infection

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:41:00 +0000

A common side effect of immunosuppressive agents is increased susceptibility to infection. These drugs, such as kidney transplant medications, weaken the immune system to prevent rejection. Therefore, you must take precautions to avoid infection.

If you experience any of the following signs of infection and or rejection as mentioned here, you should notify your transplant coordinator immediately. They will be able to give you the proper instructions on what to do.

Here are common warning signs of infection.

1. Sore throat
2. Cough, cold or shortness of breath
3. Flu symptoms
4. Fever over 100°F or 37.8°C
5. Pain over transplant area
6. Gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting
7. Skin irregularities like sores, redness, swelling, or wounds that don't heal

Looking after yourself and being careful often reduces the possiblity of getting infections. I remember my doc telling me what to watch out for. But the most important things that came out of his lips then was “use common sense.”

As transplantees, we should be wary of infections because when they occur, our body's immune system becomes active and sends out its soldiers to knock out that infection. During this process, our immune system goes into attack mode and is more vigilant to foreign substance, including our kidney, increasing the possibility of causing a rejection episode.

It is important to inform your transplant center when you notice these symptoms and not to just take any over-the-counter drug that other people take. Many over-the-counter drugs can harm our transplanted kidney.

Post Transplant Watch: High Blood Pressure

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 03:36:00 +0000

After a kidney transplant, there are a number of health issues that doctors will ask you to watch out for. Often, most of the kidney related problems that appeared when you had kidney disease go away after having a kidney transplant. There are some, however, that will remain even after a successful kidney transplant.

This is a part of a series that I call Post Transplant Watch, where we will look at the different issues that may linger after kidney transplantation and steps doctors often take to treat them.

We begin with the most common problem and main cause of transplant (graft) loss-- cardiovascular disease or heart disease. Because there are many things that lead to cardiovascular disease, we will go through them one at a time, beginning with high blood pressure.

You will notice a number of levels listed below. Beginning with level 1, we start to solve the problem, in this case hypertension. If that doesn't work, we move on to the next level to see if that works better, and so on. These are the steps I've noticed doctors take in dealing with particular issues.

I hope this can be a guide for you so you will have an idea about what your doctor doing. Remember, this is meant to give you an idea of what to expect and is not a substitute to your doctor's advice. Only your doctor will be able to tell you what to do because they know your medical history.

Here goes.

Level 1: Target BP: less than 130/85

How? Weight loss if overweight, limit salt in diet or low sodium diet, reduce alcohol intake, increase exercise.

This is the best way to do it, without any drugs or medication. All natural. Your doc will probably want to have your BP at 120/80 or 110/70.

If these aren't able to control blood pressure, we proceed to level 2.

Level 2: Calcium channel blockers

What? Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are blood pressure medications. Often the first line of defense used by doctors for high blood pressure in kidney transplant patients.

Research has shown that they help improve renal function by controlling blood pressure. The also protect you from the hypertensive effects of CNIs like cyclosporine and tacrolimus. Examples are amlodipine and lercanidipine.

Level 3: ACE Inhibitors and ARBs

What? These are 2 different classes of blood pressure medication. ACE inhibitors and ARBs work differently to achieve the same goal — lower blood pressure. Often you will be told to take one or the other with most doctors favoring the use of ACE inhibitors first before trying ARBs if the ACE inhibitors don't work well enough or produce side effects.

There are times that either ACE-I and ARBs aren't able to achieve the desired results on their own. In this case, the some doctors will use a combination of an ACE inhibitor and ARB.

The reason why CCBs are tried before ACE-I or ARBs is because the latter two have more side effects. One very known side effect is coughing. Increase in creatinine level and anemia in some patients also happen.

There is one instance though, where your doctor may opt to use an ACE inhibitor or ARB over a CCB. This is when there is protein in your urine. ACE-I and ARBs are known to have anti-proteinuric effects. And by lessening the amount of protein spilled in the urine, it protects the kidney.

Examples of ACE inhibitors are lisinopril and ramapril, while valsartan, losartan and candesartan are some known ARBs.

Level 4: Beta-Blockers

What? Beta blockers are yet another type of blood pressure drug. They work differently from those mentioned above and are known to be used for coronary heart disease.

They should be avoided for people with asthma. One example of a beta blocker is atenolol.

Level 5: Immunosuppressive medication adjustments

Why? Some doctors may actually try this before level 2. The reason I place this here is that adjusting medication is risky and often more troublesome. Having your kidney transplant medication adjusted may cause possible rejection if you become under suppressed. It also means that you'll probably be having labs done more often in the coming weeks to monitor if everything is okay with the change.

That said, lowering steroid doses helps in bringing down blood pressure. Another well known anti-rejection drug that causes hypertension are CNIs, like cyclosporine (Neoral) and tacrolimus (Prograf), so keeping it within therapeutic range will be helpful.

One thing to remember is that not everyone will have to deal with these issues. At times, these issues are caused by kidney transplant medications themselves. If you do happen to notice them make sure to inform your doctor so they can treat it accordingly.

Warning Signs of Transplant Rejection

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 02:22:00 +0000

After having a kidney transplant, or any other organ transplant, you will be required to take anti-rejection medicine for as long as your organ is functioning. The purpose of kidney transplant medications is to prevent our bodies from attacking our new kidney.

This is needed because our body's immune system cannot tell the difference between a new kidney and viruses or bacteria that might attempt to harm out body. In order to keep us healthy, our immune system destroys all foreign objects like viruses and bacteria, but in the process will also try to destroy our transplanted kidney.

The process where our immune system mounts an attack on your new kidney is called rejection. Rejection has a bigger chance of happening during the first year after transplantation and goes down over time, but it never goes away.

Here is a list of the warning signs of rejection.

1. Fever over 100°F or 37.8°C
2. Elevated Blood Pressure
3. Sudden and rapid fluid retention (rapid weight gain or swelling of the ankles)
4. Flu-like symptoms (dizziness, vomiting, headache, fatigue)
5. Discolored, bloody, or foul-smelling urine
6. Reduction of the amount of urine
7. Pain over the transplant site
8. Pain or burning during urination
9. Elevated serum creatinine level

Of all the warning signs, I have noticed that the most indicative is a rise in creatinine. Most of the time, you don't feel anything during a rejection episode except that the creatinine results have gone up. This is why it is important to have regular labs and doctor check ups.

As a guide, a sudden rise of 0.4 from your normal levels is a sign that something is happening. For example, your regular creatinine levels are 1.2, so a value of 1.7 or above will be a cause of concern.

Before you start to worry, I've learned that a sudden rise in creatinine does not always mean a rejection episode is happening. There are other possible reasons for a rise in creatinine which we'll talk about in a later post.

The Issue of Generic Cellcept

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 05:12:00 +0000

Earlier this year, the generic version of Cellcept came into the market after Roche's patent on Cellcept expired in May of this year. This was and is still a much discussed topic. On the issue of kidney transplant medication or immunosuppressive medication as a whole, the issue of generics is a very touchy subject.

There are actually two main causes of this, on one side, is cost. Transplant medications are very expensive. Depending on what doses and which drugs you are on, costs may range from high to exorbitant. Not to mention that, more often than not, you have additional drugs and supplements aside from the anti-rejection pills.

At the other end, is drug efficacy. How well does the generic drug, in this case Cellcept, stack up against the branded one. Patients who have had their transplants have been on the Cellcept brand for a while and are now facing the choice between the cheaper generic and costlier but proven brand.

The sad fact of the matter is, as much talk as there is, transplant patients may not really have a choice. Most patients have their transplant medications covered by some sort of health insurance. In most cases, it has been the insurance agency that is prompting the move to generic. For those who pay out of their own pockets, depending on where you source your immunosuppressive drugs, the cost difference between Cellcept and its generic may vary from 10% to more than 50%.

Doctors, on the other hand, are more hesitant. Given the option, they prefer that patients take the branded product. As a whole, they seem to agree that the difference in efficacy matters. Some say there is a 10% variance, others say the effects may be +15% or -15% the effect of the branded product depending on the person taking it.

Another thing they seem to agree is that though they prefer that we use the brand name, and should you shift to generic, to make sure to inform them so that they may monitor your progress and the cellcept blood levels closely during the initial conversion period.

So what has happened since?

Some transplant patients have avoided the generic because their doctors and clinics forbid it. Their doctors have provided branded scripts that explicitly state “no substitutions”, “use branded name”, “no substitutes,” “original as written” and the like.

Others have opted to add to their co-pays or pay for the extra cost it takes to have the branded name.

One creative method I've heard from few was they were asked to switch to Myfortic because the insurance didn't want the branded Cellcept.

There are also quite a number of transplants who have moved and are now using the generic. Some clinics have given it the go signal for their patients.

Generally, the generic seems to be working okay. Some have said they have no problems with it, others say it is less troublesome for their stomachs. Then again, I've also heard a few problems like stomach issues and skin problems, proving once again that everyone reacts differently to medication.

Luckily, my being on Myfortic allowed me to sidestep this issue. But whichever way you look at it, this is a learning lesson for all of us. It has happened before, with cyclosporine (Gengraf) and now Cellcept, and it will happen again.

Soon, Prograf will have a generic then all our other drugs will go past their patent. At least next time, we'll be better prepared.

When to see a Nephrologist

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 05:04:00 +0000

A doctor who specializes in the kidney and kidney diseases is called nephrologist. Nephrologists are experts in handling different medical issues involving the kidney.

In general, a nephrologist is helpful at the very first sign of kidney problems. Even when your kidney function is still very good (above 60%) , once there are findings that point to possible trouble, a nephrologist can help do the following.

1. Select the proper course of action and diagnose the type of kidney disease. Many times, kidney disease that is caught early and properly treated can be stopped or reversed.

2. Slow the rate or completely stop the decline of your kidney function.

3. Treat the kidney disease related complications like high blood pressure and anemia.

Once your kidney function reaches 30% or below, going to a nephrologist becomes a must. During this latter stage, a nephrologist is needed as the effects of the diminished kidney functions, whether direct or indirect, will be very present.

FDA warning on Cellcept and Anemia

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 07:45:00 +0000

The Wall Street Journal has reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is is warning doctors that organ transplant drug Cellcept, may cause a type of severe anemia. Recently, the FDA has asked Roche, the maker of Cellcept, to make stricter warning labels regarding the risks involved in using Cellcept.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday warned doctors about a certain type of anemia in patients being treated with the Roche (ROG.VX) kidney-transplant drug Cellcept.

[...]

Last month, the FDA said it was requiring Roche and other manufacturers of certain drugs used to prevent the rejection of transplanted kidneys to warn of certain serious infections.

The drugs, including Cellcept, Myfortic by Novartis AG (NVS) and Wyeth's (WYE) Rapamune, already carry the agency's toughest boxed warning discussing their various risks.

The FDA said the drug labels must discuss an increased risk of "opportunistic infections," including activation of latent viral infections such as one caused by the BK virus.

The anemia the FDA is speaking of is PRCA or Pure Red Cell Aplasia. It is a severe form of anemia wherein the bone marrow ceases produce red blood cells because PRCA affects the production process of red blood cells within the bone marrow.

Like many other transplant medications, Cellcept carries a number of risks and produces a number of side effects. It is a very good drug in warding off rejection and is being used by close to 90% of transplant centers in the U.S.

As in many instances, with kidney transplants or organ transplants as a whole, the need for weighing the good against the bad and hopefully coming up with a harmonious balance is the key.

Living Kidney Donation FAQ

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 01:35:00 +0000

Living kidney donation is a great gift where an individual offers a part of themselves in order to save someone else's life. It is a big decision and although many have thought of being possible organ donors, there are many questions involved in living kidney donation that sometimes keeps people from donating.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions (FAQ) about living kidney donation.

Who can donate?

Anyone who is in good general health and has a genuine interest in donating.

Donors are often restricted to between the ages of 18 to 70, though there have kidney donations made by people younger than 18. Much of it depends on the protocol of the kidney transplant centers.

To be able to donate there are a few qualifications, like having a blood type compatible with the recipient. Donors who have high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease, sickle cell disease, HIV or hepatitis often do not qualify.

How will I know if I am suitable a suitable donor?

The kidney transplant center will provide you a thorough medical and psychological assessment to establish that you are fit and healthy to make a kidney donation. The results of the test will allow the healthcare team to make an informed decision whether you are suitable to make the kidney donation.

What are the health risks associated with donating?

Your surgeon and nurse coordinator will discuss all health risks with you. The risks of kidney donation stem from the transplant surgery, where bleeding and infection are possible. Death resulting from kidney donation is extremely rare.

Should I be worried about possible risks in the long-term?

Studies have shown that kidney donation has no long-term effect on the health or your remaining kidney. There is a small possibility of a slight rise in blood pressure and excess protein in your urine.

You will be at no greater risk of developing kidney failure after donating than anyone in the general population.
Studies have shown that donors live longer than the average population. This is because donors are selected on the basis of good health and are thoroughly screened prior to donation.

Will kidney donation affect my lifestyle?

A person can lead an active, normal life with only one kidney. Studies have shown that one kidney is sufficient to keep the body healthy. After recovering from transplant surgery a donor can return to the same lifestyle they used to have.

What should I expect after the transplant surgery?

Upon discharge, you may feel a bit of pain or swelling from the wound. This takes a bit of time to heal. You will be asked not to lift anything that weighs more that 20 lbs for the first four weeks after kidney donation. You may feel tired for the first week or two after the surgery and may need extra rest.

Donors often return to work 2-3 weeks after the transplant surgery, depending on the type of work. Some donors require a longer recovery period if their work requires heavy lifting or other physical demands.

Who pays for the transplant costs?

The donor does not incur medical costs in the kidney donation process. The expenses related to the living kidney donation evaluation as well as the hospitalization costs, transplant surgery and physician services provided during the kidney donation process and related transplant costs are covered by the recipient, often by their health insurance.

Fruits & Vegetables Prevent Kidney Stones

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 01:24:00 +0000

A recent study has shown that eating a healthy diet consisting of high intake of fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains coupled with low intake of salt, sweetened beverages, and red and processed meats not only prevents metabolic problems like high blood pressure and diabetes but it also prevents the formation of kidney stones.

Researchers have found another reason to eat well: a healthy diet helps prevent kidney stones. Loading up on fruits, vegetables, nuts, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains, while limiting salt, red and processed meats, and sweetened beverages is an effective way to ward off kidney stones

The article also says that such a diet contained higher levels of calcium, potassium, magnesium, oxalate, and vitamin C while having a lower amount of sodium, things that are beneficial to overall health.

Living Kidney Donation vs. Cadaver Donors

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:34:00 +0000

Kidney transplants are the most effective kidney disease treatments. With kidney transplants, patients who are suffering from kidney failure regain good health.

There are 2 major types of kidney transplants, namely through a living kidney donation (live donor), and from a cadaver donor (deceased donor).

Whenever possible, doctors recommend that patients receive a live kidney donation. Today, we examine why a living kidney donation is considered better.

1. The survival of kidney transplants from live kidney donation has been shown to be better than from cadaver donors.

2. A living kidney donation from close relatives, like brothers, sisters, or parents can yield excellent tissue-type match for the recipient. A good tissue-type match reduces the risk of the kidney being rejected by the recipient

3. Recipients who had their kidney transplants prior to dialysis have been shown to have better long-term transplant survival

4. A living kidney donation gives the patient, donor and their families the flexibility to plan the kidney transplant surgery when it is convenient for them

EPO: Erythropoietin for Anemia

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 01:34:00 +0000

EPO, or erythropoietin, is a drug many kidney patients are familiar with. Just about everyone on dialysis has used one form or another of erythropoietin.

So what is it? And why is it important?

Erythropoietin is pronounced as e-ryth-row-po-e-tin. I actually had difficulty pronouncing it correctly in the when I first started using it. I spelled it out as it should be pronounced so you won't end up like me mumbling some funny word that made the doc scratch his head whenever I tried to say it.

Anyways, going back to our topic of discussion... let's rewind back to the functions of our kidneys, remember how the kidney produces erythropoietin in order to stimulate our bone marrow to produce red blood cells or blood? The problem with kidney disease is it causes the levels of erythropoietin produced by our kidney to go down, resulting in us becoming anemic.

One way medical science has learned to treat this is through the use of a synthetic (man-made) version of erythropoietin. And By injecting the synthetic erythropoietin, we supplement or replace that which isn't being made by our kidneys.

You will see doctors adjust your dosage on a weekly basis until they get the proper level that will allow you to maintain a healthy red blood level. So in case you were thinking, yes, this isn't a one-shot thing. It will likely be continuous until your kidneys can reproduce enough erythropoietin, which does happen for some after a kidney transplant.

The thing about erythropoietin is that it isn't fast acting. Often, it takes a around 2 weeks before you see improvement. Though I have seen cases where the docs pumped in a good amount of it that the hemoglobin values shot up within 3 days and kept going up.

So if it is slow acting, why not opt for blood transfusions instead, where the effects are immediate?

Whenever possible, you will notice that doctors will defer blood transfusions and opt to use EPO to boost red blood levels. This is because the risks that transfusions bring with them, which we mentioned here, are far heavier than those of EPO.

The exception to this rule is when your hemoglobin levels drop below 7, necessitating an immediate need to increase it.

Just for your information, there are three major types of erythropoietin currently available.

- epoetin alpha brand names Eprex®, Epogen® and Procrit®
- epoetin beta, under NeoRecormon® and Mircera®
- darbepoetin, branded as Aranesp®

We'll go through their differences in a later post so you can get a better grasp on the available options.

Kidney Transplantation Intro

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 05:19:00 +0000

In starting this blog, I had a few goals, one of which was to shed light on transplantation and organ donation. Hopefully to share my experiences and learn from others. So here's a bit of info on kidney transplantation.

A kidney transplant is a life saving procedure that enables a person who has lost majority of their kidney function to return to good health. It is one of those things that you can call a medical miracle where doctors and researchers have been able to find a way to replace a person's (the recipient) diseased part with one from another person (the donor).

The process involves major surgery wherein doctors remove a healthy kidney from the donor and place it into the recipient's body to let it function in the place of the diseased kidneys. The donated organ is often placed in the front around the lower abdomen area, either to the right or left side of the belly button, while the native kidneys are often left as is.

Kidney transplants are made possible because though we are born with two kidneys, and like our lungs, we only need one in order to live well.

Doctors often categorize their kidney transplant patients based on the relationship between the donor and the recipient. The kidney may come from either a living person (living donor) or someone who is deceased, in this case called a cadaver donor. Another classification is whether the donor is a relative or not, the donor may be a living-related or living-unrelated donor.

The reason for such classifications is that statistically, it has been observed that in general, live organ donations perform better and last longer than kidneys from cadaver donors. Similarly, living related donors are preferred over non-related donors, because the genetic makeup is closer between the two individuals.

For majority of the cases, the data holds true. From my experience however, I've seen quite a number of kidney transplants who have passed the twenty-five year mark with cadaver donors. So for me, a living related donor gives you a good start, but there a lot of other factors involved before, during and after the transplant operation that doesn't always make this true.

Another thing my docs have always stressed is that transplant medicine has come such a long way to that point that to a certain degree, it is able to swing the odds to the kidney transplant recipient be it living or deceased, related or non-related donor.

Choosing a Doctor That's Right For You

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 02:00:00 +0000

In the 9 years after being diagnosed with kidney failure, I've seen and been managed by a good number of doctors. From dietitians to hematologists, nephrologists to surgeons, infectious disease physicians, gastroenterologists, you name it.

One thing I've learned is it is very important to have a physician that is right for you. So today, we have the first part of Choosing a Doctor That's Right for You.

The first aspect in choosing a doctor for me is to figure out who are the best in your area of need and are they available.

Doing the Background Check

Expertise

The first step you want to do is make is a list of potential doctors who are knowledgeable the your area of need. A good place to start are friends, but only if they have some personal experience with the doctor or know someone personally who has been or is being handled by that doctor.

The next place to stake out would be the hospital where the doctor works. The people whom I found to be most helpful here were the patients who were being treated by the said doctor and the secretaries of other doctors in the hospital, yes, you read right, the secretaries. Why? Like anywhere, the medical workplace also has it share of gossip. After speaking to a few secretaries and assistants, I guarantee you'll know who to keep or cross out of your list.

Another resource where you can find good doctors are the organizations and support groups pertaining to your particular issue. As a group they know, and have dealt with a number of doctors. Experience has shown me that people who belong to such organizations and groups are often very open, accommodating and willing to share their experience and knowledge.

Location. Location. Location.

Where the doctor holds his clinic as well as his hospital affiliations are important. Try to have a hospital or clinic that is about 20 minutes or less away from your home. This may sound trivial, but when you have to go for checkups often or early morning blood tests, you will understand.

It is also helpful to know their clinic hours, you may just find out that their schedules conflicts with yours.

Insurance

Financially, medical treatment is very expensive. Start by going through the list of doctors who accept the insurance you carry. More often than not, there is one good or even outstanding doctor under your HMO listing.

Kidney Biopsy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 06:34:00 +0000

Over the years, I have seen and gone through a lot of the different medical tests available. Not so much because I am a kidney transplant patient, nor because I had to go through dialysis. In fact, from what I've noticed, if things go smoothly as many dialysis and transplant patients I know do, the tests that and procedures you go through are not much different from those experienced by people who get annual check-ups. They just happen more frequently.

Most of my experience has come about because a lot of strange things happen to me. I can actually recall a few times when my doctor had to set up conferences with her colleagues in the hospital, then another with her mentors in another hospital before figuring out how to handle my situation. Needless to say, between those meetings, I went through batteries of tests.

The one thing I learned is that when it comes to assessing the health of the kidney, the kidney biopsy is the number one procedure for the job. Before you begin to argue, let me explain myself. By the words assessing the health of the kidney, I don't mean assessing how it is functioning or how well it is doing work. Instead, I am referring to how well the status of the organ is.

The reason I separate the two, which are often referred to as meaning the same, is that the kidney can current show good function but when you give it a closer look and analyze it's structure, it may not be as healthy as is seems.

Take for instance, an active person, say in his mid-20's to mid-30's, who is playing a pick-up game of basketball on a sunny Saturday afternoon. He's athletic, muscular, in good physical shape and could play with the best of them. All of a sudden, in the middle of the game, he drops. His heart stops beating...

As sad as this analogy is, it has actually happened, in fact, to a number of professional athletes nonetheless. The thing I am driving at is that if the health of the kidney, its internal makings and structure are damaged or weakening, the effects of it may not manifest itself yet, so from the blood tests, it may look as if everything is a okay, but only on the surface.

Here's where the biopsy comes in. By taking a sample of the kidney, and analyzing that tissue, the biopsy will show how the kidney structure is, whether it is normal or is there scarring, if there is infection, if the kidney is receiving enough blood, and if there are certain disease from other parts of the body that have reached the kidney, or if there are tumors present.

Good kidney function may only be temporary if the underlying health of the kidney is hurt or weakened. The effects may not be present initially in the creatinine, but in due time they will appear.

What Your Should Know About Blood Transfusions

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:06:00 +0000

Blood transfusions have become common in many medical procedures. They are used to replace blood that has been lost due to surgery, injury or disease. While patients suffering from severe anemia have also been known to receive blood transfusions in order to shore up their blood supplies.

Despite their routine nature, it makes you wonder why are you asked by hospitals to sign a consent form before you are given a blood transfusion.

The reason, like many medical procedures, there are risks involved. Here are some.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions are the most common type of reactions. When they happens, the you start feeling itchy and hives appear as your body reacts to the donated blood. To avoid this, antihistamines like benadryl is often injected before transfusions.

Febrile Reaction

When a febrile reaction to the donated blood occurs, you get a sudden fever that may be accompanied by chills, headache and body discomfort, usually within 24 hours of the transfusion.

Infections

There have been very rare cases of people being infected from blood transfusions. Some of these infections include bacteria, Hepatitis B and C, and HIV.

Antibodies

For transplant patients and those waiting for transplants, blood transfusions may be needed if red blood cell levels drop significantly. The downside of blood transfusions for these patients is that Because the blood being transfused into your body comes from other people, it carries a bunch of antibodies different from yours. The net effect of this is it increases your panel reactive antibody (PRA) score. The PRA score is a gauge of how well your body is willing to accept organs from other people. The higher the PRA score, the less likely your body will accept a donated organ. In these cases, doctors often order leukocyte depleted red blood cells to be transfused to try to reduce this side effect.

These risks are often very small as hospitals take the utmost precautions in order to keep reactions from happening. Often, they run more than 10 tests on each blood sample to limit the risks.

This is not to say that we should avoid transfusions, but to know that there are risks along with the benefits. So, like many things, having the good effects outweigh the bad will be important in making the final decision on whether to have a blood transfusion or not.

No Injections! Please.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 04:00:00 +0000

No. The title has nothing to do with me being afraid of needles. I must admit that I used to have a fear of them, but with the tons of blood tests I've had along with dialysis, I've gotten use to them. Now, on to more important matters

A few weeks ago, I went for a CT scan on my lungs. My doc wanted to check if the lung infection I contracted a few months ago had totally cleared up. A CT scan was needed to verify what the chest x-rays had shown, that there was no more infection.

One thing that she made sure to repeat more than once was, “no contrast.” What she meant was to have a plain CT scan and not one where they use a contrast. Just to make things clear, a contrast is a substance that is injected to the patient that enhances the visibility of the internal parts they are examining.

Being the curious person that I am, I had to ask why. Her answer was short and simple, “the contrast hurts the kidneys, especially when kidneys aren't 100% they can really cause damage.”

Knowing that I fall under the 'not 100% kidney' category, I made sure I told the CT scan technician not to use contrast.

I was reminded of this when i happened to bump into this article, saying how research has shown that contrast agents used in imaging tests harm our kidneys.

Medical imaging often uses contrast agents, substances such as iodine and barium that enhance the contrast of structures or fluids within the body.

[...]

Exposure to contrast agents can injure the kidneys, but patients are often told that this is only a temporary side effect. Recent research has suggested that such contrast-induced kidney damage may actually be more serious, although no thorough studies have looked into the hypothesis.

[...]

Individuals who developed contrast-induced kidney injuries had twice as many long-term negative health effects compared with patients whose kidneys were not damaged. In the absence of contrast-induced kidney injury, there was no difference in the incidence of long-term negative health effects between patients taking iopamidol or iodixanol.

The day after, I retrieved the CT scan results and my doc was happy to see that my lungs were in fact clear of the infection. Another day, another learning experience.

FACT OR FICTION: Some More Organ Donation Myths

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:25:00 +0000

We have gathered another set of of popular organ donation myths to make up part 2 of our series. If you missed part 1, click h ere.

Myth #5:

Having "organ donor" noted on your driver's license or carrying a donor card is all that's needed in becoming a donor.

FICTION. To a certain degree this is true. However, during time of death, parents and guardians are often called in. There are occasions where parents, who happen to be against the donor's wishes, end up disallowing the donation.

Myth #6:

There is a black market in the U.S. for organs or tissues

FACT. As much as I don't like to admit it, the presence of a black market in the U.S. for organs and tissues as evidenced by the FBI's recent arrest of a rabbi in New York.

Myth #7:

Patients determined to be brain dead can recover from their injuries

FICTION. Medicine defines brain death as “irreversible unconsciousness with complete loss of brain function,” although the heartbeat may continue. The heart will eventually stop working shortly after brain death.

In this case, there is no recovery and medically, the process cannot be reversed.

Myth #8:

I'm too old to be a donor.

FICTION. There is no age limit when donating an organ. What is important is the state of health that the organs to be donated are in.

Myth #9:

I have poor health. I’m not fit to be a donor.

FICTION. There are very few limitations in being an organ donor. Some of these include having particular infectious diseases. Physicians will make an assessment of your health status and be able to give you a decision as to whether you may be a donor.

Myth #10:

If you agree to donate your organs, your family will be charged for the costs.

FICTION. No expenses will be charged to any organ donor or their families.

There you have it. Hopefully, this will help dispell those misconceptions that are keeping people from saving others' lives. Go out and be a donor!