tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68903340256977521342024-03-05T16:22:26.522-08:00Living Well With Kidney DiseaseThis blog is designed for people who needs more information on how to live life well with kidney disease. Here we have articles, personal experiences, and general information on kidney disease.Shikherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11376053205073555471noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890334025697752134.post-3079604249040225372011-06-19T22:33:00.000-07:002011-06-19T22:33:15.632-07:00Las Vegas Patient Lifestyle Meeting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggu31K27Cd2jOsZ2sDWV-HJ-NO-EJ6gdEUrAbuNT8j4gv9fVVxwXb0LEsoEJhfRTAirvgCnVQ0iCGnczHQnYdzajnUMRSluc_cDwwO9ROcvqWSl0FX8BVg_BKivDxNOkDDdx3LFKJMDYU/s1600/Photo_1404DEBB-8CA3-7B40-D23A-355C8E046484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggu31K27Cd2jOsZ2sDWV-HJ-NO-EJ6gdEUrAbuNT8j4gv9fVVxwXb0LEsoEJhfRTAirvgCnVQ0iCGnczHQnYdzajnUMRSluc_cDwwO9ROcvqWSl0FX8BVg_BKivDxNOkDDdx3LFKJMDYU/s400/Photo_1404DEBB-8CA3-7B40-D23A-355C8E046484.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Hello Fellas, We have a Las Vegas Patient Lifestyle Meeting on Sunday, July 10th 2011. 11:30am-4:30pm at California Hotel 12 East Ogden Ave, Las Vegas NV, 89101. Hosted by Richard Blaine and Keynote Speaker Lori Hartwell.<br />
Topics will include:<br />
Advancements in Transplantations: The patients perspective<br />
Feeling Fit and Fabulous<br />
Finding and keeping romance alive<br />
~~~~~~~~COMPLIMENTARY BRUNCH AVAILABLE~~~~~~~~<br />
Please register by July 5th<br />
<br />
online at rsnhope.orgShikherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11376053205073555471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890334025697752134.post-69356814118417102452011-06-17T23:05:00.000-07:002011-06-17T23:05:12.801-07:00Urine Analysis<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">What You Need<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">to Know About<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">Urinalysis<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">A urinalysis is a simple, inexpensive test that can<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">help to detect problems in many parts of your<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">body including your kidneys and urinary tract, your<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">heart and your liver. A urinalysis can help to detect<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">many diseases before symptoms occur. Early detection<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">and treatment can often prevent serious diseases<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">from getting worse. More than 20 million<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">Americans—one in nine adults—have chronic kidney<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">disease, and most don’t even know it. More<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">than 20 million others are at increased risk for<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">chronic kidney disease. Yet, a urinalysis can detect<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">protein in the urine—one of the earliest signs of<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">kidney disease—years before symptoms appear<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">and at a time when treatment can make all the<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">difference.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">What is a urinalysis?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">A urinalysis is an examination of a sample of<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">urine that can help find medical problems like<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">kidney disease, diabetes, liver disease and urinary<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">tract infections.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">Who should have a urinalysis?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">Everyone should have a urinalysis as a child and<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">then periodically as an adult. It’s especially important<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">for people who have an increased risk for kidney<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">disease to be tested for protein in their urine.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">This is included in a urinalysis. Persistent protein in<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">the urine (two positive tests for protein over several<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">weeks) is one of the earliest signs of chronic kidney<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">disease. You may be at increased risk for kidney<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">disease if you:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-bidi-font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-hansi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">❖ </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">have </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">diabetes<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-bidi-font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-hansi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">❖ </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">have </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">high blood pressure<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-bidi-font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-hansi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">❖ </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">have a </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">family history </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">of chronic<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">kidney disease<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-bidi-font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-hansi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">❖ </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">are an </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">older adult<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-bidi-font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-hansi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">❖ </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">are an </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">African American, Hispanic<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">American, Asian or Pacific Islander </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">or<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">American Indian.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">2<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">If you have any of these risk factors, or think you<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">may be at increased risk for chronic kidney disease,<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">speak to your doctor about having a urinalysis.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">What does a urinalysis include?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">A urinalysis has three parts:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">1. </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">Visual examination </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">of the urine sample for<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">color and clearness. Blood may make urine look<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">red or the color of tea or cola. An infection may<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">make urine look cloudy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">2. A </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">dipstick examination, </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">which uses a chemically<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">treated strip to check for the following:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-bidi-font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-hansi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">❖ </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">pH </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">is a measure of the amount of acid in the<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">urine. An abnormal pH may be a sign of kidney<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">stones, urinary infections, chronic kidney<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">disease or certain disorders that affect growth<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">and development in children.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-bidi-font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-hansi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">❖ </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">Protein </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">is an important building block in the<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">body. When your kidneys are damaged, protein<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">leaks into your urine. Persistent protein in<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">protein in the urine suggests that the kidney’s filtering<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">units have been damaged by chronic kidney disease.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-bidi-font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-hansi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">❖ </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">Urine Creatinine </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">gives an estimate of the<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">concentration of your urine, which allows for<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">a more accurate protein result. Creatinine is a<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">by-product of normal muscle activity, which is<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">found in the urine and blood.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-bidi-font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-hansi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">❖ </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">Glucose (sugar) </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">is usually a sign of diabetes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">In children, sugar in the urine may sometimes<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">be related to a disorder that affects growth<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">and development.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-bidi-font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-hansi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">❖ </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">Bacteria </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">and white blood cells (pus cells) are<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">signs of infection. Bacteria without white<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">blood cells may suggest another type of problem<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">such as vaginal or bladder disease.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-bidi-font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-hansi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">❖ </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">Bilirubin </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">is a waste product from the breakdown<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">of old red blood cells. It is normally<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">removed from the blood by the liver and<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">becomes part of bile. Its presence in the urine<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">may be a sign of a liver disease.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">3. Urinalysis also includes examining a small amount<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">of urine under a </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">microscope. </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">Some of the things<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">that may be seen include:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-bidi-font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-hansi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">❖ </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">Red blood cells, </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">which may be a sign of kidney<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">diseases that damage the filtering units of<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">the kidneys, allowing blood cells to leak into<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">the urine. Blood in the urine may also be a<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">sign of problems like kidney stones,<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">5<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">infections, bladder cancer or a blood disorder<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">like sickle cell disease. While enough<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">blood may be present to cause a color<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">change you can see, blood in the urine is<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">usually so small that a microscope is needed<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">to see it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-bidi-font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-hansi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">❖ </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">White blood cells </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">(or pus cells), which are a<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">sign of an infection or inflammation in the<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">kidneys, bladder or another area.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-bidi-font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-hansi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">❖ </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">Bacteria, </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">or germs, which are usually a sign<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">of an infection in the body.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-bidi-font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-hansi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">❖ </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">Casts, </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">which are tube-shaped forms made<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">of protein, and may have red or white blood<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">cells or other cells inside. Casts form in certain<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">kidney diseases because the kidneys are<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">releasing a sticky type of protein that traps<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">blood cells and other types of cells.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-bidi-font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-hansi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">❖ </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">Crystals, </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">which are formed from chemicals<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">in the urine. If they become large enough,<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">they form kidney stones.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">How is a urinalysis done?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">Your urine is collected in a clean specimen cup.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">Some of the urine sample is tested right away with<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">a dipstick. The rest is placed in a test tube and<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">spun before being checked under the microscope.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">Only a </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">small amount </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">of your urine is needed<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">(about 2 tablespoonfuls) to do the test. If possible,<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">your </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">morning urine </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">is the best, but a random<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">sample can also be used. The urine should be as<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">fresh as possible and, therefore, should not be<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">brought from home.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">Can any drugs or vitamins<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">affect my results?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">Yes, many drugs and vitamins can affect the urinalysis.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">For example, vitamin C pills, antibiotics and<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">certain drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">could cause you to have a “false” positive result,<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">and you may need to have other tests to confirm<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">6<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">your result. Make sure to tell your doctor or clinic<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">staff about all the medications and vitamins<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">you take. Fever and heavy exercise can also give<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">false results.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">Is a urinalysis expensive?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">How long does it take to get<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">my results?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">A urinalysis is a </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">simple, inexpensive test. </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">Most<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">insurance carriers cover part or all of a urinalysis<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">test. A urinalysis can be done right in your doctor’s<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">office. The test takes only about 5 to 10<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">minutes to do, and you can discuss your results<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">with your doctor right away. A urinalysis can also<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">be done in a laboratory.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">What does it mean if my urine<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">test shows protein and/or blood?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">You </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">may have kidney or urinary tract disease,<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">but your doctor will need to confirm this.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">Persistent protein in the urine (two positive results<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">over several weeks) is a sign of chronic kidney disease.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">Your doctor may do the following tests to<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">confirm your diagnosis, check your kidney function<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">and help plan your treatment:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-bidi-font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-hansi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">❖ </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">A simple test for creatinine in your blood,<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">which can be used to estimate how much kidney<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">function you have (see glomerular filtration<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">rate). Creatinine is a by-product that comes<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">from normal muscle activity. When your kidneys<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">are damaged, your blood creatinine level may<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">build to a high level.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-bidi-font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-hansi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">❖ </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">which tells<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">your doctor how much kidney function you<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">have. You do not need another test to check<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">your GFR. Your doctor can calculate your GFR<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">from your blood creatinine test, your age, gender<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">and body size. Your GFR is the best way to<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">track your kidney function.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-bidi-font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-hansi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">❖ </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">An </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">ultrasound </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">or </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">CT scan, </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">which gives your<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">doctor a picture of your kidneys and urinary<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">tract. This shows whether your kidneys are too<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">small or too large or have kidney stones,<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">tumors or other problems.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-bidi-font-family: AdobePiStd; mso-hansi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">❖ </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">A </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">kidney biopsy</span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">, which is done in some cases<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">to help identify a specific type of kidney disease<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">and see how much kidney damage has<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">occurred. To do the biopsy, the doctor removes<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">small pieces of kidney tissue and looks at them<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">under a microscope.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">If my tests show kidney or<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">urinary tract disease, what treatment<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">will I need?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">Your treatment plan is based on the type of kidney<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">or urinary tract disease you have, your level of kidney<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">function and other health problems you may<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">have. Some diseases can be treated with medications.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">Others could require surgery. If severe kidney<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">disease is found, dialysis or a kidney trans-plant<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">may be needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">7<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">Can treatment prevent<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">chronic kidney disease from getting<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">worse?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">Yes. </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">In many cases, </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">early detection and treatment<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">may keep chronic kidney disease from getting<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">worse.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">How can a urinalysis<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">help to detect early signs of<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Goudy-ExtraBold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Goudy-ExtraBold;">heart disease?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">Studies show that people who have protein in<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">their urine have an increased chance of developing<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">heart disease as well as kidney disease. Many<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">health problems that affect the kidneys, such as<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">diabetes and high blood pressure, also affect the<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">be a sign that the blood vessels have already been<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">damaged by these diseases, and organs such as<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Light","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Light;">the heart and kidneys have been affected.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">This brochure was supported by an educational grant from<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">National Kidney Foundation<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">30 East 33rd Street<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Roman","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Roman;">© 2002 National Kidney Foundation, Inc.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><i><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Italic","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Italic;"> </span></i><b><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Bold","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">National Kidney<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Bold","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">Foundation</span></b><b><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Frutiger-Bold","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Frutiger-Bold;">®</span></b></div>Shikherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11376053205073555471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890334025697752134.post-63001004983616799502011-06-13T12:46:00.000-07:002011-06-13T12:46:18.201-07:00Nutrition and Hemodialysis<h1>Nutrition and Hemodialysis</h1>Now that you are beginning hemodialysis, there may be many changes in your daily life. Your doctor has probably told you that you may need to make some changes in your diet. The renal dietitian at your dialysis center will help you plan a diet for your special needs.<br />
<h2>Why do I need to be on a special diet?</h2>Because your kidneys are not able to get rid of enough waste products and fluids from your blood and your body now has special needs, you will need to limit fluids and change your intake of certain foods in your diet. How well you feel will depend on:<br />
<ul><li>eating the right kind and amounts of food from your diet </li>
<li>having the hemodialysis treatments your doctor orders for you </li>
<li>taking the medications your doctor orders for you.</li>
</ul>Your diet is very important to your care. It is important that you have the right amount of protein, calories, fluids, vitamins and minerals each day. Your dietitian will help you plan your meals to make sure you get the proper balance.<br />
<h2>How will I know if I am eating right to keep me healthy?</h2>Because you are on dialysis, you have some very special needs. Eating well helps you stay healthy. Eating poorly can increase your risk of illness. Your dietitian will talk with you about how well you are eating.<br />
Some questions you might be asked:<br />
<ul><li>Have you noticed a change in the kind or amount of food you eat each day? </li>
<li>Have you had any problems eating your usual or recommended diet? </li>
<li>Have you lost weight without trying? </li>
<li>Have you noticed any changes in your strength or ability to take care of yourself?</li>
</ul>Your dietitian or nurse might look at the fat and muscle stores in your face, hands, arms, shoulders, and legs. Your dialysis care team will look for changes in your blood level of proteins, and especially one called albumin. A change in this protein can mean that you are losing body protein.<br />
Some special blood tests that are done each month are called Kt/V (pronounced kay tee over vee) or urea reduction ratio (URR). These tests help your doctor decide if you are getting enough dialysis. Getting the right amount of dialysis is important to help you feel your best.<br />
A change in your fat and muscle stores or any of these blood tests could be a sign that you are not getting enough dialysis. Along with the Kt/V, these tests provide information about your intake of protein or your protein equivalent of nitrogen appearance (PNA). Using the PNA, your albumin and any changes in your appetite, your dietitian will determine if you are eating enough of the right foods. The right amount of dialysis is needed to make sure you are able to enjoy your food while keeping you healthy.<br />
<h2>What if I have high cholesterol</h2>Changing your diet may help lower the cholesterol level in your blood. Your dietitian will talk with you about the kinds of fat and animal foods you eat. Also, your doctor may decide you need a special medication to reduce the cholesterol in your blood.<br />
<h2>What if I have diabetes</h2>In some cases, you may need to make only a few changes in your diet to fit your needs as a kidney patient. For example, some of the free foods you have been using may need to be limited on your kidney diet. Your dietitian will help develop a meal plan especially for you.<br />
<h2>Is there anything else I should know</h2>The following important tips can be helpful with your diet:<br />
<ul><li>Fresh or plain frozen vegetables contain no added salt. Drain all the cooking fluid before serving. </li>
<li>Canned fruits usually contain less potassium than fresh fruits. Drain all the fluid before serving. </li>
<li>Non-dairy creamers are low in phosphorus and can be used in place of milk. </li>
<li>Labels on food packages will give you information about some of the ingredients that may not be allowed in your diet. Learn to read these labels. </li>
<li>To help you avoid salt, many herbs and spices can be used to make your diet more interesting. Check with your dietitian for a list of these.</li>
</ul>Shikherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11376053205073555471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890334025697752134.post-90891631674052801162011-06-12T23:09:00.001-07:002011-06-12T23:15:57.554-07:002nd Sunday meeting at Marie Callender's June 12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TnjuLOxJhkaKtPlRP4UitxJIKcokUDqSzHzpaHeSUbSKdoSTztGJBi5nT9ZD0ylrnA_0XnE7qrXAKzV5jG1aNfYQ1btoL2LAmCPN9g76U3CuXIPcQo7vaia3ayeIRiGqsMwyy_qLO3Q/s1600/Photo_985EE225-FC74-D8AD-5302-FE33111706CD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TnjuLOxJhkaKtPlRP4UitxJIKcokUDqSzHzpaHeSUbSKdoSTztGJBi5nT9ZD0ylrnA_0XnE7qrXAKzV5jG1aNfYQ1btoL2LAmCPN9g76U3CuXIPcQo7vaia3ayeIRiGqsMwyy_qLO3Q/s320/Photo_985EE225-FC74-D8AD-5302-FE33111706CD.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYaJqQ1p4eTDgS-tvwKCRiuKX64_i83g9nt7tLMXAy2DBJnW2Kj9ggk09dm9N5HWEamZrZUcO0WgKtBorCJV2YqG6sGPipnIgZ9xCINGmBh0Xx7Yxduvd-0LtQpy1_I50OqJdDJeCqdU/s1600/WP_000258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYaJqQ1p4eTDgS-tvwKCRiuKX64_i83g9nt7tLMXAy2DBJnW2Kj9ggk09dm9N5HWEamZrZUcO0WgKtBorCJV2YqG6sGPipnIgZ9xCINGmBh0Xx7Yxduvd-0LtQpy1_I50OqJdDJeCqdU/s320/WP_000258.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Shikherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11376053205073555471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890334025697752134.post-38901892977471221372011-06-08T22:17:00.001-07:002011-06-08T22:17:50.441-07:00Dialysis Myths<h1>Filtering Dialysis Myths from Facts</h1><strong>Myth:</strong> The only option for receiving dialysis treatment is to travel to a center at least three times per week for hours at a time. <br />
Fact: Dialysis can be done in many ways: You can do hemo-dialysis which is done in a dialysis unit, a hospital or in the comfort of your own home. Or, you can do peritoneal dialysis which is done in your home. You and your doctor decide which form of dialysis and place is best for you, and based on your medical condition and your wishes.<br />
<strong>Myth:</strong> Dialysis is painful.<br />
Fact: Depending on the form of dialysis you choose, if you are on hemo-dialysis you may have some discomfort when the needles are put into your fistula or graft, but most patients usually have no other problems. The dialysis treatment itself is painless. However, some patients may have a drop in their blood pressure that could lead to nausea, vomiting, headaches or cramps. However, if you take care to follow your kidney diet and fluid restrictions these types of side effects can be avoided.<br />
<strong>Myth:</strong> Dialysis is a death sentence. Fact: No, dialysis is a life sentence. When you, your family and doctor decide that it is time for you to undergo dialysis what you all are saying is that you want to live your life and feel better.<br />
<strong>Myth: </strong>Dialysis is expensive or unaffordable for the normal patient. Fact: The federal government pays 80 percent of all dialysis costs for most patients. Private health insurance or state medical aid also helps with the costs.<br />
<strong>Myth:</strong> Due to time constraints and exhaustion, dialysis patients can’t travel. Fact: Dialysis centers are located in every part of the United States and in many foreign countries. The treatment is standardized. You must make an appointment for dialysis treatments at another center before you go. Your facility social worker can inform you about what you need to do. Regarding exhaustion, if you take care of yourself and follow your doctor’s recommendations you should feel fine.<br />
<strong>Myth:</strong> Dialysis patients do not have the time or energy to work. Fact: Many dialysis patients can go back to work or school after they have gotten used to dialysis.<br />
<strong>Myth:</strong> Dialysis patients have no say in their treatment. Fact: You as a patient have a great deal of control over your treatments. Patients have a bill of rights (http://www.kidney.org/atoz/pdf/DialysisBillRights.pdf) which includes quality care, privacy, medical information, social work and dietary counseling<br />
<strong>Myth:</strong> As a dialysis patient, I will feel alone and will be a burden to my family Fact: Many dialysis patients, once they become accustomed to their dialysis treatments, actually start to feel much better than they did prior to starting dialysis and feel much less of a burden to their families. Also, many get involved in volunteer activities to help other people like themselves, for example participating in kidney awareness activities.Shikherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11376053205073555471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890334025697752134.post-73247627436218411642011-06-08T22:16:00.000-07:002011-06-08T22:16:27.203-07:00411 on Dialysis<h1>Dialysis</h1>Dialysis is a treatment that does some of the things done by healthy kidneys. It is needed when your own kidneys can no longer take care of your body's needs.<br />
<h2>When is dialysis needed?</h2>You need dialysis when you develop end stage kidney failure --usually by the time you lose about 85 to 90 percent of your kidney function.<br />
<h2>What does dialysis do?</h2>Like healthy kidneys, dialysis keeps your body in balance. Dialysis does the following:<br />
<ul><li>removes waste, salt and extra water to prevent them from building up in the body</li>
<li>keeps a safe level of certain chemicals in your blood, such as potassium, sodium and bicarbonate</li>
<li>helps to control blood pressure</li>
</ul><h2>Is kidney failure permanent?</h2>Not always. Some kinds of acute kidney failure get better after treatment. In some cases of acute kidney failure, dialysis may only be needed for a short time until the kidneys get better.<br />
In chronic or end stage kidney failure, your kidneys do not get better and you will need dialysis for the rest of your life. If your doctor says you are a candidate, you may choose to be placed on a waiting list for a new kidney.<br />
<h2>Where is dialysis done?</h2>Dialysis can be done in a hospital, in a dialysis unit that is not part of a hospital, or at home. You and your doctor will decide which place is best, based on your medical condition and your wishes.<br />
<h2>Are there different types of dialysis?</h2>Yes, there are two types of dialysis --hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.<br />
<h2>What is hemodialysis?</h2>In hemodialysis, an artificial kidney (hemodialyzer) is used to remove waste and extra chemicals and fluid from your blood. To get your blood into the artificial kidney, the doctor needs to make an access (entrance) into your blood vessels. This is done by minor surgery to your arm or leg.<br />
Sometimes, an access is made by joining an artery to a vein under your skin to make a bigger blood vessel called a fistula.<br />
However, if your blood vessels are not adequate for a fistula, the doctor may use a soft plastic tube to join an artery and a vein under your skin. This is called a graft.<br />
Occasionally, an access is made by means of a narrow plastic tube, called a catheter, which is inserted into a large vein in your neck. This type of access may be temporary, but is sometimes used for long-term treatment.<br />
<h2>How long do hemodialysis treatments last?</h2>The time needed for your dialysis depends on:<br />
<ul><li>how well your kidneys work</li>
<li>how much fluid weight you gain between treatments</li>
<li>how much waste you have in your body</li>
<li>how big you are</li>
<li>the type of artificial kidney used</li>
</ul>Usually, each hemodialysis treatment lasts about four hours and is done three times per week.<br />
A type of hemodialysis called high-flux dialysis may take less time. You can speak to your doctor to see if this is an appropriate treatment for you.<br />
<h2>What is peritoneal dialysis and how does it work?</h2>In this type of dialysis, your blood is cleaned inside your body. The doctor will do surgery to place a plastic tube called a catheter into your abdomen (belly) to make an access. During the treatment, your abdominal area (called the peritoneal cavity) is slowly filled with dialysate through the catheter. The blood stays in the arteries and veins that line your peritoneal cavity. Extra fluid and waste products are drawn out of your blood and into the dialysate. There are two major kinds of peritoneal dialysis.<br />
<h2>What are the different kinds of peritoneal dialysis and how do they work?</h2>There are several kinds of peritoneal dialysis but two major ones are:<br />
Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) and Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis (CCPD).<br />
Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) is the only type of peritoneal dialysis that is done without machines. You do this yourself, usually four or five times a day at home and/or at work. You put a bag of dialysate (about two quarts) into your peritoneal cavity through the catheter. The dialysate stays there for about four or five hours before it is drained back into the bag and thrown away. This is called an exchange. You use a new bag of dialysate each time you do an exchange. While the dialysate is in your peritoneal cavity, you can go about your usual activities at work, at school or at home.<br />
Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis (CCPD) usually is done at home using a special machine called a cycler. This is similar to CAPD except that a number of cycles (exchanges) occur. Each cycle usually lasts 1-1/2 hours and exchanges are done throughout the night while you sleep.<br />
<h2>Will dialysis help cure the kidney disease?</h2>No. Dialysis does some of the work of healthy kidneys, but it does not cure your kidney disease. You will need to have dialysis treatments for your whole life unless you are able to get a kidney transplant.<br />
<h2>Is dialysis uncomfortable?</h2>You may have some discomfort when the needles are put into your fistula or graft, but most patients have no other problems. The dialysis treatment itself is painless. However, some patients may have a drop in their blood pressure. If this happens, you may feel sick to your stomach, vomit, have a headache or cramps. With frequent treatments, those problems usually go away.<br />
<h2>How long has dialysis been available?</h2>Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis have been done since the mid 1940's. Dialysis, as a regular treatment, was begun in 1960 and is now a standard treatment all around the world. CAPD began in 1976. Thousands of patients have been helped by these treatments.<br />
<h2>How long can you live on dialysis?</h2>We do not yet know how long patients on dialysis will live. We think that some dialysis patients may live as long as people without kidney failure.<br />
<h2>Is dialysis expensive?</h2>Yes. Dialysis costs a lot of money. However, the federal government pays 80 percent of all dialysis costs for most patients. Private health insurance or state medical aid also help with the costs.<br />
<h2>Do dialysis patients feel normal?</h2>Many patients live normal lives except for the time needed for treatments. Dialysis usually makes you feel better because it helps many of the problems caused by kidney failure. You and your family will need time to get used to dialysis.<br />
<h2>Do dialysis patients have to control their diets?</h2>Yes. You may be on a special diet. You may not be able to eat everything you like, and you may need to limit how much you drink. Your diet may vary according to the type of dialysis.<br />
<h2>Can dialysis Patients travel?</h2>Yes. Dialysis centers are located in every part of the United States and in many foreign countries. The treatment is standardized. You must make an appointment for dialysis treatments at another center before you go. The staff at your center may help you make the appointment.<br />
<h2>Can dialysis patients continue to work?</h2>Many dialysis patients can go back to work after they have gotten used to dialysis. If your job has a lot of physical labor (heavy lifting, digging, etc. ), you may need to get a different job.Shikherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11376053205073555471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890334025697752134.post-55675165747222006602011-06-08T13:56:00.001-07:002011-06-08T13:56:31.097-07:00Is Kidney Donation Safe?<h1>Is Kidney Donation Safe? </h1><img src="http://www.kidney.org/email_templates/KidneyCare/spring10/images/KidneyDonationLG.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 2px 4px 4px 2px;" />Giving a kidney to someone who needs a transplant is a very generous thing to do. But can it lead to kidney problems in the donor? Most people do not experience health problems as a result of donation. A large study of the long-term effects of kidney donation had good news for people who donate kidneys. Doctors reported that living kidney donors can expect to live full, healthy lives. Donors had very few long-term health problems, in most cases. The study looked at almost 4,000 people who donate one of their two kidneys since 1963. Their long term survival rate was similar to non-donors and they did not have an increased risk of kidney failure. Researchers at the University of Minnesota examined the long-term results for health diagnoses and causes of death. Living donation means that a living person donates a kidney to someone in need of a transplant. The donor is most often a close family member, such as a parent, child, brother or sister. A donor can also be a more distant family member, spouse, friend or co-worker. Non-directed donors, those who donate anonymously and do not know their recipients, are also becoming more common.<br />
Kidney donors’ survival was similar to that of the general population when matched for age, sex, and race or ethnic group. Of 3,700 donors, the need for dialysis or transplant developed in only 11 donors, which is actually a lower rate than in the general population. Donors reported their quality of life was “excellent.”<br />
Kidney donors tend to be healthier than the average person, able to tolerate surgery well and return to a healthy lifestyle. Potential donors are screened for high blood pressure and diabetes, two of the main causes of kidney disease. This group of donors tended to be young and Caucasian, so the University of Minnesota is participating in an ongoing study that will examine a larger and more diverse donor group.<br />
More than 105,000 people are currently on the national waiting list to receive a kidney from a deceased donor. Due in part to new surgical techniques that have shortened recovery times, living kidney donation has become more common in recent years.<br />
<br />
Many people who need transplants of organs and tissues cannot receive them because of a shortage of donations. Every month, more than 2,000 new names are added to the national waiting list for organ transplants, and about 18 people die every day while waiting for an organ transplant in the U.S. <br />
Organ and tissue donation helps others by giving them a second chance at life.Shikherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11376053205073555471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890334025697752134.post-2100311219738747302011-06-08T12:34:00.000-07:002011-06-08T12:34:05.021-07:00Facts about CKD<h2>The Facts About Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)</h2><ul><li>26 million American adults have CKD and millions of others are at increased risk.</li>
<li>Early detection can help prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure.</li>
<li>Heart disease is the major cause of death for all people with CKD.</li>
<li>Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the best estimate of kidney function.</li>
<li>Hypertension causes CKD and CKD causes hypertension.</li>
<li>Persistent proteinuria (protein in the urine) means CKD is present.</li>
<li>High risk groups include those with diabetes, hypertension and family history of kidney disease.</li>
<li>African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans and Seniors are at increased risk.</li>
<li>Three simple tests can detect CKD: blood pressure, urine albumin and serum creatinine.</li>
</ul><div class="small"><a href="http://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/ckd/index.cfm#top"><span style="color: #b0232b;">Back to top</span></a></div><a href="" name="howdo"></a><h2>How do your kidneys help maintain health?</h2>In addition to removing wastes and fluid from your body, your kidneys perform these other important jobs:<br />
<ul><li>Regulate your body water and other chemicals in your blood such as sodium, potassium, phosphorus and calcium</li>
<li>Remove drugs and toxins introduced into your body</li>
<li>Release hormones into your blood to help your body: <ul><li>regulate blood pressure</li>
<li>make red blood cells</li>
<li>promote strong bones.</li>
</ul></li>
</ul><div class="small"><br />
</div><a href="" name="whatis"></a><h2>What is chronic kidney disease (CKD)?</h2>Chronic kidney disease includes conditions that damage your kidneys and decrease their ability to keep you healthy by doing the jobs listed. If kidney disease gets worse, wastes can build to high levels in your blood and make you feel sick. You may develop complications like high blood pressure, anemia (low blood count), weak bones, poor nutritional health and nerve damage. Also, kidney disease increases your risk of having heart and blood vessel disease. These problems may happen slowly over a long period of time. Chronic kidney disease may be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure and other disorders. Early detection and treatment can often keep chronic kidney disease from getting worse. When kidney disease progresses, it may eventually lead to kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain life.<br />
<div class="small"><br />
</div><a href="" name="what"></a><h2>What causes CKD?</h2>The two main causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure, which are responsible for up to two-thirds of the cases. Diabetes happens when your blood sugar is too high, causing damage to many organs in your body, including the kidneys and heart, as well as blood vessels, nerves and eyes. High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the pressure of your blood against the walls of your blood vessels increases. If uncontrolled, or poorly controlled, high blood pressure can be a leading cause of heart attacks, strokes and chronic kidney disease. Also, chronic kidney disease can cause high blood pressure.<br />
Other conditions that affect the kidneys are:<br />
<ul><li>Glomerulonephritis, a group of diseases that cause inflammation and damage to the kidney's filtering units. These disorders are the third most common type of kidney disease.</li>
<li>Inherited diseases, such as polycystic kidney disease, which causes large cysts to form in the kidneys and damage the surrounding tissue.</li>
<li>Malformations that occur as a baby develops in its mother's womb. For example, a narrowing may occur that prevents normal outflow of urine and causes urine to flow back up to the kidney. This causes infections and may damage the kidneys.</li>
<li>Lupus and other diseases that affect the body's immune system.</li>
<li>Obstructions caused by problems like kidney stones, tumors or an enlarged prostate gland in men.</li>
<li>Repeated urinary infections.</li>
</ul><div class="small"><br />
</div><a href="" name="whatare"></a><h2>What are the symptoms of CKD?</h2>Most people may not have any severe symptoms until their kidney disease is advanced. However, you may notice that you:<br />
<ul><li>feel more tired and have less energy</li>
<li>have trouble concentrating</li>
<li>have a poor appetite</li>
<li>have trouble sleeping</li>
<li>have muscle cramping at night</li>
<li>have swollen feet and ankles</li>
<li>have puffiness around your eyes, especially in the morning</li>
<li>have dry, itchy skin</li>
<li>need to urinate more often, especially at night.</li>
</ul>Anyone can get chronic kidney disease at any age. However, some people are more likely than others to develop kidney disease. You may have an increased risk for kidney disease if you:<br />
<ul><li>have diabetes </li>
<li>have high blood pressure</li>
<li>have a family history of chronic kidney disease</li>
<li>are older</li>
<li>belong to a population group that has a high rate of diabetes or high blood pressure, such as African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian, Pacific Islanders, and American Indians.</li>
</ul>Resource : <a href="http://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/ckd/index.cfm">http://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/ckd/index.cfm</a>Shikherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11376053205073555471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6890334025697752134.post-3991760816780886822011-06-08T12:31:00.000-07:002011-06-08T12:31:12.612-07:00Welcome!Hello everyone!<br />
This is Shikher, son of Rakesh Verma who is kidney disease survivor living here in Las Vegas. He had a transplant about 4 years ago and is doing well. Knock on wood. This blog is designed to help people be aware of how to face kidney disease and help eachother to overcome the difficulties. I'll post articles, real life experiences or anything that would help kidney disease patients to live better lives. You are welcome for any comments!<br />
Thanks<br />
Shikher VermaShikherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11376053205073555471noreply@blogger.com2