A kidney specialist, or nephrologist, is a doctor who can help you maximize kidney function and manage your kidney health if you are living with a condition such as chronic kidney disease. You can learn more about your kidneys and how to protect them here. The Role of The Kidneys The kidneys are two bean-shaped
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The Best and Worst Foods for Your Kidneys
For patients with kidney health concerns, general wisdom about healthy eating doesn’t always apply. While many of the best and worst foods for your kidneys are fairly straightforward, some of the foods that are bad for your kidneys are those superfoods that are often touted as healthy options. That’s because a kidney-friendly diet, called a
Read MoreAre Some People at Higher Risk for Kidney Stones Than Others?
According to the National Kidney Foundation, one in 10 people will experience kidney stones at some point in their lifetimes. And if you’ve ever had a kidney stone pass through your urinary tract, you know the painful symptoms — excruciating pain along your side or back; nausea and vomiting; bloody or cloudy urine; fever and chills
Read MoreExercises for Patients with Hypertension
According to the American Heart Association, nearly a third of the population of the United States — more than 100 million people — have high blood pressure. These numbers are deeply concerning given that high blood pressure is associated with various conditions including stroke, heart disease, and kidney damage. Fortunately, there are relatively easy steps you
Read MoreWhat We Know About Coronavirus and the Kidneys
Much of what is currently known about the coronavirus has focused on the virus’s effect on the lungs. Yet recent research has also found a link between severe cases of COVID-19 and impaired kidney function. At this point, scientific findings are based on a limited number of patient studies. More investigation is needed to establish
Read MoreEating with Hypertension: Foods to Eat and to Avoid
If you suffer from hypertension, you’re not alone — hypertension is a common condition that affects millions of Americans each year. Because diet can have a major effect on hypertension, anyone diagnosed with hypertension should keep a close eye on their food and beverage consumption to minimize the risk of more serious diseases. What is
Read MoreCould Artificial Kidneys Save Lives One Day?
Dialysis treatment has remained largely unchanged for the last 50 years, but researchers have recently started exploring a variety of innovative kidney failure treatments ranging from more portable dialysis devices to artificial kidneys. While there is still a lot of work to be done before these products become widely available, these developments are promising and
Read MoreNephrotic Syndrome: Signs and Symptoms
Nephrotic syndrome refers to a condition in which the kidneys fail to filter surplus waste products and liquids from your blood. When the blood vessels in your kidneys known as glomeruli work properly, those unneeded byproducts are flushed out through your urine. But if the glomeruli are damaged, a blood protein called albumin builds up
Read MoreThe Newly-Discovered Link Between Difficult Pregnancies and Kidney Disease
Women who become pregnant naturally concentrate on taking care of their health to ensure a healthy baby. But do they also know the effect pregnancy can have on their renal health? Pregnancy has two major effects on renal health. First, women stand a greater chance of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) because they make up
Read MoreWhat is an Ectopic Kidney?
We’re born with two kidneys, a pair of bean-shaped organs that balance the amount of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphate within our bodies. The multi-functioning kidneys also filter out waste from urine, as well as regulate our blood pressure and red blood cells. The kidneys attach to the bladder, which is connected
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