Midwest Nephrology adapts and honors advancements in research. Our team of providers diligently research treatments and new practices to provide our patients with the best and most advanced care. A few of the most recent items published include research on Aldosterone worsening Kidney Disease, experimentation with changing Kidney Transplant Blood Type, as well as studies involving Pediatric Neuropsychiatric conditions.

ALDOSTERONE LINKED TO WORSENING KIDNEY DISEASE

Aldosterone, a hormone produced by the triangular adrenal glands, is a crucial, salt-conserving hormone. In a nearly 10-year observational study, researchers analyzed data from 3,680 people with chronic kidney disease. Those with elevated levels of aldosterone had a higher risk of serious kidney disease progression during the study period. This means they are more likely to lose half of their kidney function, begin dialysis treatment, or develop end-stage kidney disease.

You may be wondering how aldosterone is linked to kidney disease. For someone that is dehydrated or has low blood pressure, this hormone can help conserve water and salt, but if the levels of aldosterone are consistently present at a high concentration within the body, it can cause kidney damage. When aldosterone is constantly at a high level, it can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure), which can then lead to damage to the kidneys and heart.

Kidney Specialist Ashish Verma, an assistant professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine highlighted the drug, Finerenone, a nonsteroidal drug approved by the FDA for people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Verma said that Finerenone can help prevent kidney disease, or its progression in people without diabetes, with a lower risk of causing dangerously high potassium levels than traditional therapies such as spironolactone or eplerenone.

A CHANGE IN KIDNEY TRANSPLANT BLOOD TYPE

In a ground-breaking discovery, researchers at the University of Cambridge have successfully altered the blood type of three donor kidneys. Professor Mike Nicholson and PhD student Serena MacMillion used a normothermic perfusion (a device that connects with a human kidney to pass oxygenated blood through the organ to better preserve it for future use) to flush blood infused with an enzyme, through a deceased kidney. This enzyme removed the blood type markers that line the blood vessels of the kidney, resulting in the kidney being converted to the universal O type. Changing the blood type to the universal O will allow for more transplants to take place.

The Cambridge team will now need to determine how a newly altered O-type kidney will react to a patient’s usual blood type in their normal supply. With the use of a perfusion machine, this process can be simulated before doing so on a patient. With the perfusion machine, they will take the new O-type kidneys, and introduce different blood types to observe how they react.

One of the biggest restrictions to a donated kidney transplant is that the blood type must be compatible. Antigens and markers on your cells are either A or B, and your body produces antigens against the markers that you do not have. With the discovery of altering blood types, patients will have easier access to kidney transplants compatible with their blood type.

PEDIATRIC NEUROPSYCHIATRIC CONDITIONS LINKED TO RARE GENETIC VARIANTS

Early genomic testing could help identify an increasing number of genomic variants associated with intellectual disabilities, and the likelihood of those children developing neurodevelopmental or mental health conditions. This allows for intervention as soon as possible.

For children presenting developmental delays, or intellectual disabilities, exome or genome sequence analysis is recommended. Previously, there has been a limitation on rare genomic variants and the long-term outcomes for those children. The existing research is limited to small sample sizes or portions of children with moderate to severe disabilities. A recent study published in The Lancet Psychiatry aimed to evaluate the influence of environmental and genetic factors on the prognosis.

This study is the largest to date and measures the impact of rare genetic variants associated with intellectual disability. It was found that the children are likely to develop other neurodevelopmental or mental health conditions. An identifiable genetic cause was found to amplify the likelihood of neurodevelopmental conditions, as well as behavioral difficulties. Physical health problems were also prevalent in the study, reporting things such as disturbed sleep, motor or movement disorders, fine motor problems, and cerebral palsy.

CONTACT MIDWEST NEPHROLOGY ASSOCIATES TODAY

Have any questions or concerns? Our dedicated team of physicians and certified staff are here to help answer all your questions and can help set up an appointment for you or a loved one. Contact Midwest Nephrology Associates for more information on Kidney Cancer and for help finding a treatment that works best for you.

The only way to know whether you have kidney disease is to be evaluated by a medical professional. That is where the experts at Midwest Nephrology come in. They can help you reach a diagnosis and prescribe treatment, or can even help you identify another cause of your symptoms. Contact one of our clinics for more information and to schedule an appointment with a professional.

KIDNEY DISEASE SYMPTOMS

Kidney disease symptoms tend to show up in later stages or when the kidney is failing. If you experience the following symptoms or are at risk due to high blood pressure, diabetes, or have a family history of kidney disease, we recommend that you get tested at one of our many clinic locations.

When it comes to warning signs, some common symptoms may include bladder issues, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, dry skin, difficulty concentrating, decreased appetite, cramping, back pain, and high blood pressure.

INCREASED URINATION
Feeling the increased need to urinate, especially at night, can be a sign of kidney disease. When the kidney filters are damaged this can cause a high need to urinate.

CHANGES IN URINE
The appearance of urine can change due to kidney disease. Seeing blood or foamy urine due to poor kidney filters and increased protein are both signs that you may have kidney disease. If you have an abnormal urine test or abnormal levels of phosphorus, calcium, or vitamin D in your urine, this can lead to cramping symptoms. Poor filtering can cause various imbalances that may show up on urine tests and help reveal a more serious issue.

FATIGUE
Kidney issues can cause issues with filtering out toxins and impurities in the blood causing you to feel tired or weak. This can lead to shortness of breath due to your kidneys not removing enough fluids. Excess fluids can then build up in your lungs causing shortness of breath and breathing problems.

DIFFICULTY SLEEPING
Kidney disease will prevent toxins from leaving the blood, which can cause issues with sleep. Obesity and sleep apnea are also more common in those who suffer from kidney disease.

DRY SKIN AND SWELLING
When kidneys can no longer maintain the proper amount of minerals and nutrients in your blood, you may experience mineral and bone disease causing you to itch and have dry skin.

Someone with kidney disease may experience swelling in their hands, legs, or feet. This is because kidney disease can affect sodium retention levels, and high levels of sodium can cause swelling in the hand, legs, and feet areas.

DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING
Similarly to fatigue, poor filtering of toxins and impurities in the blood can cause issues with concentration and focus.

DECREASED APPETITE
Poor filtering and a buildup of toxins can decrease your overall appetite.

CRAMPING AND BACK PAIN
Impaired or diseased kidneys can result in electrolyte imbalances like lower calcium causing cramping. Some people with kidney disease may also experience lower back pain and discomfort around where the kidneys are located. This may also be due to infection associated with the disease.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Poor filtering and excess fluid and sodium can cause you to experience high blood pressure. Over time, high blood pressure can also damage blood vessels in the kidneys and can make the disease worse.

MIDWEST NEPHROLOGY IS HERE TO HELP

At Midwest Nephrology, our dedicated team of providers and certified staff are ready to assist you in diagnosing and treating your kidney concerns. Contact Midwest Nephrology if you have any questions or are looking for a consultation today.

WHAT ARE NURSE PRACTITIONERS?

Nurse Practitioners are registered nurses who have advanced training in diagnosing and treating a variety of illnesses. Unlike regular Nurses, Nurse Practitioners have the ability to also prescribe medications. While you generally only see your physician for an annual check-up or follow-up appointments, you’ll be working closely with your Nurse Practitioner to find a treatment path that works best for you and your individual needs.

These highly qualified and experienced healthcare workers will help you find the right balance to help with prevention, wellness, and education while working in tandem with your physician. And when it comes to Kidney Disease and treating it, you’ll be working with a specialized Nurse Practitioner who has experience in the field and can help guide you throughout your individual treatment journey.

CAN NURSE PRACTITIONERS PRESCRIBE MEDICATION?

Yes, Nurse Practitioners are essential to your kidney treatment in part to their ability to prescribe medication. These nurses have gone through rigorous training and passed a special education program that grants them a national certification that enables them to prescribe the required medication to patients.

WHY ARE NURSE PRACTITIONERS IMPORTANT?

Since all patients are different and require different prescriptions, Nurse Practitioners work together with you and your doctor to review your individual medication dosing and interval needs. They will constantly review any and all possible allergies, medication history, and side effects with a patient in order to customize your experience throughout your kidney treatment process.

Whether you were recently diagnosed with kidney disease, are in the early stages of kidney treatment, or recently had a transplant; Nurse Practitioners are here to help. Throughout your kidney disease journey, different medication is needed to help ensure your best possible day-to-day life.

MIDWEST NEPHROLOGY IS HERE TO HELP

At Midwest Nephrology, our dedicated team of providers and certified staff are ready to assist you in diagnosing and treating your kidney concerns. Contact Midwest Nephrology if you have any questions or are looking for a consultation today.

To start with, it’s important to understand what your kidney’s jobs are. Kidneys are vital to your health and well-being, filtering out waste, extra water, and minerals from your bloodstream. The filtered waste your body doesn’t need is turned into urine which passes through two thin tubes (ureters) into your bladder which you’ll later discard when using the restroom.

WHAT CAUSES KIDNEY STONES

Individuals with kidney issues may not properly filter minerals, which causes renal calculi (kidney stones) to form in a variety of shapes and sizes. This occurs due to minerals such as calcium and oxalate oversaturating your urine and creating crystallization in your urine.

Kidney stones can occur due to a wide range of circumstances. Different types of kidney stones include calcium stones, uric acid stones, struvite stones, and cystine stones. While the most common is caused by an abundance of calcium oxalate left in your urine, others can occur due to having high levels of uric acid, a urinary tract infection, or a genetic build-up of amino acid cystine.

While some kidney stone disorders can be genetic, others can be caused by poor diet and exercise, dehydration, and other medications that affect your kidney’s filtration. Staying hydrated and reducing your salt intake can help you reduce the likelihood of a kidney stone.

While not all kidney stones are painful or even noticeable; if you’re experiencing pain, nausea, or notice blood in your urine you should contact your physician. Together, we’ll determine the best course of action to reduce your pain and help you prevent possible future issues.

MIDWEST NEPHROLOGY IS HERE TO HELP

At Midwest Nephrology, our dedicated team of providers and certified staff are ready to assist you in diagnosing and treating your kidney concerns. Contact Midwest Nephrology if you have any questions or are looking for a consultation today.

KIDNEY CANCER RISK FACTORS

Reducing or eliminating certain risk factors in your daily life can help you fight Kidney Cancer. Stopping smoking or the misuse of certain pain medicines are common factors that can lead to Kidney Cancer. Additional common Kidney Cancer risk factors include:

• High blood pressure
• Workplace exposures
• Gender (twice as common in men)
• Race (African Americans are more at risk)
• Individuals with advanced kidney disease

Beyond smoking, diet, blood pressure, and pain medicines, Kidney Cancer can occur more commonly in some genetic conditions than in others. If your family has a history of Kidney Cancer, Hippel-Lindau disease, or kidney issues; your risk of developing Kidney Cancer is much higher and you should contact our team for regular checkups. In addition to genetic and hereditary risk factors, people who have or had certain diseases may also be at higher risk of developing Kidney Cancer:

• Hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma
• Hereditary leiomyoma-renal cell carcinoma
• Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD) syndrome
• Cowden syndrome
• Tuberous sclerosis

HOW TO TREAT KIDNEY CANCER

Depending on the severity of your Kidney Cancer, a common treatment for Kidney Cancer is surgery to remove all or part of the affected organ. Some individuals may also need chemotherapy or radiation therapy after surgery to destroy unseen cancer cells that may remain following the procedure. Individuals with more severe Kidney Cancer may require molecularly targeted therapy or an immunotherapeutic to further destroy unseen cancer cells.

CONTACT MIDWEST NEPHROLOGY ASSOCIATES TODAY

Have any questions or concerns? Our dedicated team of physicians and certified staff are here to help answer all your questions and can help set up an appointment for you or a loved one. Contact Midwest Nephrology Associates for more information on Kidney Cancer and for help finding a treatment that works best for you.

WHAT ARE RENAL DIETITIANS?

Renal dietitians are experts in diet and nutrition specifically for people with kidney disease. These experts will regularly check in on you, reviewing your nutrition, lab work, medicines, and weight to ensure your kidney functions at its best possible ability.

HOW DO RENAL DIETITIANS HELP?

A renal dietitian will help monitor and educate you on your kidney health, working with you to help find a diet plan that works best for your lifestyle. Your dietitian will walk you through specific nutrients, protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals you can consume and how much you can consume.

WHY ARE DIETITIANS NECESSARY?

It is very important to make healthy food and fluid choices every day when you have kidney disease. Consuming too many minerals like phosphorus or potassium in your diet can further damage your kidneys and lead to kidney failure.

WILL MY KIDNEY DISEASE STAGE IMPACT MY DIET?

Yes, if you’re in the early stages of kidney disease, your dietitian can recommend how to eat healthy for your stage of kidney disease to help slow down or stop the progression to kidney failure.

WHAT TYPE OF RECOMMENDATION WILL A DIETITIAN MAKE?

• How much fluid you should consume each day
• Eating a low-protein diet,
• Limiting salt, potassium, phosphorous, and electrolytes
• Possibly changing your medication

DO I NEED A DIETITIAN POST KIDNEY TRANSPLANT?

Yes, it is vital after your kidney transplant to follow your dietitian’s guidelines to help keep your new kidney healthy. They will ensure your body is acclimating properly to your new kidney and medication. Your diet may change to help you either gain or lose weight, maintain healthy blood pressure, and allow your body proper time to heal.

CONTACT MIDWEST NEPHROLOGY ASSOCIATES TODAY

Have any questions or concerns? Our dedicated team of physicians and certified staff are here to help answer all your questions and can help set up an appointment for you or a loved one. Contact Midwest Nephrology Associates for more information on Kidney Cancer and for help finding a treatment that works best for you.

When dealing with kidney disease, it is important to focus on the foods that help boost kidney function, and reduce the foods that may stress or damage our kidneys.

While we all need fruits, veggies, fats, grains, and proteins, some foods can be more beneficial than others. And even with the best of intentions, there can be too much of a good thing, so be sure to talk with one of our providers about your specific needs before making changes to your diet.

To help you on your way, we have compiled a list of kidney-friendly foods to help you get started

FRUIT

Fruit is high in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, and can be a low-calorie way to satisfy your sweet tooth. The following fruits are especially helpful, as they contain the best combinations of nutrients to help keep your kidneys functioning properly.

• Apples
• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Cranberries (dried or fresh)
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Cherries
• Pineapple
• Red Grapes

VEGETABLES

Vegetables can be a great source of nutrients, including plant-based protein and fiber. Remember that some dark leafy greens may be too high in potassium for you, so your doctor may limit the quantity you eat.

• Arugula*
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Fresh Herbs
• Garlic
• Leafy Greens such as:
  • Chard
  • Collard Greens
  • Kale
  • Spinach
• Onions
• Radishes
• Red bell peppers
• Sweet Potatoes
• Turnips
• Shiitake Mushrooms⁺

WHOLE GRAINS

Whole grains are a good source of iron, zinc, magnesium, vitamin E, and a variety of antioxidants. They can help regulate blood pressure, cholesterol, bowel regularity, and blood glucose levels. Buy whole grains rather than refined grains (such as refined white rice) since much of the nutritional value is lost in the refining process.

Try toasting the grains before cooking to bring out a richer, more nutty flavor. You can add salt-free seasonings such as cumin or chili powder for a savory side dish, or add a little peanut butter and honey to your breakfast oatmeal!

• Bulgar wheat
• Buckwheat - whole grain without the phosphorus
• Quinoa - higher in phosphorus and potassium than refined grains, so check with your care provider
• Oatmeal - higher in phosphorus and potassium than refined grains, so check with your care provide

PROTEIN

Protein helps your body to fight infection, build muscle and repair tissue. The amount of protein you need depends on your body size, the type of kidney problem you have, and the amount of protein in your urine. Ask your care provider how much protein is best for you.

• Egg whites - get all of the protein you need, without the phosphorus you don’t!
• Fish such as Sea Bass - consume small portions to keep your phosphorus levels in check
• Skinless chicken - pre-made roasted or rotisserie chicken tends to be high in sodium and phosphorus, so stick with home-cooked chicken

MACADAMIA NUTS

Most nuts are too high in phosphorus for people following a kidney-friendly diet, but macadamia nuts are the exception. They are packed with healthy fats, B vitamins, magnesium, copper, iron, and manganese, but lower in phosphorus than other popular choices such as peanuts and almonds; macadamia nuts are also a source of healthy fats and protein.

UNSATURATED FATS

There are 2 types of unsaturated fats: monounsaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats. These healthy fats can help reduce the amount of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and increase the amount of “good” cholesterol (HDL) in the body.

• Avocado
• Fatty fish such as salmon
• Olives
• Olive oil - high in oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat high in anti-inflammatory properties; can be used in salad dressing or cooking

CONTACT MIDWEST NEPHROLOGY ASSOCIATES TODAY

Have any questions or concerns? Our dedicated team of physicians and certified staff are here to help answer all your questions and can help set up an appointment for you or a loved one. Contact Midwest Nephrology Associates for more information on Kidney Cancer and for help finding a treatment that works best for you.