Article – Page 133

November 10, 2021August 16, 2022

Chronic Kidney Disease and the Importance of Early Detection

“Approximately 1 in 7 adults in the United States has chronic kidney disease, which occurs when kidneys have become damaged over time and do not work as well as healthy kidneys. Kidney failure may lead to anemia, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and early death. People may not feel sick or notice any symptoms. Therefore, it can go undetected until it has advanced.

However, if caught in its early stages, kidney damage can be kept from getting worse by following a healthy diet and taking the proper medicine. We sit down with Erich, a chronic kidney disease patient of 30 years, and his wife and care provider Andria to hear their story. We also meet with Dr. Cosette Jamieson, a nephrologist who specializes in chronic kidney disease, to learn about the importance of early diagnosis and management strategies for patients.”

Learn more here.

November 10, 2021August 16, 2022

How does your heart work?

“The heart is a strong and muscular organ that is about the size of a fist in adults. It pumps blood throughout the body and is located behind the breastbone between the lungs. Deoxygenated blood flows from the heart to the lungs where it gives up carbon dioxide and is freshly oxygenated. From there, the blood returns to the heart and is pumped to the rest of the body.”

Learn more from UNOS, here.

November 9, 2021August 16, 2022

Investigational Oral CKD-Anemia Agent Effective, Safe

“The investigational hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitor (HIF-PHI) daprodustat was safe and as effective as erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) for anemia, according to the phase III ASCEND program.

In the first of the two ASCEND trials looking at patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis, patients treated with oral daprodustat had a mean change in hemoglobin level of 0.28±0.02 g/dL from baseline to weeks 28 through 52, reported Ajay Singh, MBBS, MBA, of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and chair of the ASCEND program’s Executive Steering Committee, and colleagues.”

How the kidney works

“Your kidneys play a vital role in balancing the amount of fluid in your body, detecting waste in your blood, and knowing when to release the vitamins, minerals, and hormones you need to stay alive. They do this by disposing of waste products and turning them into urine.”

Lear more from UNOS here.

November 3, 2021August 16, 2022

Dialysis Patients Mount Best COVID Vax Response After Third Dose

“Even people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were able to bolster an immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine, researchers reported.

According to a systematic review and meta-analysis of 32 studies, the overall immunogenicity rate for people on dialysis was 86% (95% CI 81-89), noted Chih-Hsiang Chang, MD, of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Linkou, Taiwan, and colleagues in JAMA Network Open.

After the first vaccination dose, those on dialysis saw an immune response rate of 41% (95% CI 32-52, I²=87.3%), which subsequently jumped to 89% (95% CI 85-91, I²=66.7%) after the second dose.”

How does your liver work?

“The liver has many functions that are necessary for life. The liver helps process carbohydrates, fats and proteins, and stores vitamins. It processes nutrients absorbed from food in the intestines and turns them into materials that the body needs for life.

For example, the liver makes the factors that the blood needs for clotting. It also secretes bile to help digest fats, and breaks down toxic substances in the blood such as drugs and alcohol. The liver is also responsible for the metabolism of most drugs.”

Learn more from UNOS here.

November 2, 2021August 16, 2022

Liver Transplant Recipients With Heart Failure Require More Attention

“New data being presented at the 2021 American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Meeting show patients with heart failure who are recipients of liver transplants are at an increased risk of adverse events, including death.

A team, led by Zahid I. Tarar, MD, University of Missouri School of Medicine, measured the effect of pre-existing heart failure on patient outcomes for individuals admitted to the hospital for liver transplants.”

Kidney Failure Patients Face High Rates of Insomnia

“Many kidney failure patients struggle with insomnia and other types of sleep disorder. Learn how common this is, the risks, what these patients go through, and how to manage it.

Are you or a loved one a chronic kidney disease (CKD) patient that struggles with sleeping well at night? Insomnia is a common sleep disorder among all individuals but especially those with kidney failure. It is characterized by persistent difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep and poor subjective sleep quality. Learn more about insomnia and kidney failure, including the prevalence, causes, potential consequences, and treatment options.”

Learn more here.

October 31, 2021August 16, 2022

How do your lungs work?

“When you breathe, you transport oxygen to the body’s cells to keep them working and clear your system of the carbon dioxide that this work generates. The lungs take in air from the atmosphere and provide a place for oxygen to enter the blood and for carbon dioxide to leave the blood. The lungs are divided into sections, with three on the right and two on the left.”

Learn more from UNOS here.

October 30, 2021August 16, 2022

CDC: Some Immunocompromised People Can Get a Fourth Dose

“Moderately or severely immunocompromised” adults ages 18 and up who received an additional dose of Pfizer or Moderna’s mRNA vaccines may now receive a booster dose of Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson at least 6 months after completing their third dose, the agency said.

They added that if a moderate to severely immunocompromised adult has received a two-dose series of Pfizer or Moderna, and more than 28 days has elapsed, that person should “immediately” receive an additional dose of Pfizer or the full-dose volume of 100 μg for Moderna, followed by a single booster dose with any of the three authorized vaccines at least 6 months later.”