Daily Archives: February 20, 2013

Can you advise if there is a safe dose of Advil or any NSAID for a healthy live kidney donor to take for an arthritic knee? I have been told different things by different doctors.

Posted on February 20, 2013 by National Kidney Foundation

Advil and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) are very potent and effective drugs for the treatment of pain associated with arthritis, but they will also cause a decrease in kidney function. NSAID’s also will cause the kidney to become unable … Continue reading →

Posted in Diet/Nutrition, Kidney-Related Health Questions, Living Donation | Comments Off on Can you advise if there is a safe dose of Advil or any NSAID for a healthy live kidney donor to take for an arthritic knee? I have been told different things by different doctors.

My husband has stage 4 kidney failure and has a GFR of 20. He recently started to emit a particular odor, not ammonia, something more like a strong herb scent. It’s difficult to describe but it has become most apparent in bed. What is it?

Posted on February 20, 2013 by National Kidney Foundation

The usual odor from chronic kidney disease is an odor on the breath that is similar to ammonia, but a bit more pungent. I suspect this is what you smell. This is the odor of urea in the breath.

Posted in Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis, Kidney Cancer, Kidney-Related Health Questions | Comments Off on My husband has stage 4 kidney failure and has a GFR of 20. He recently started to emit a particular odor, not ammonia, something more like a strong herb scent. It’s difficult to describe but it has become most apparent in bed. What is it?

What is the best way to slow down the formation of kidney stones? I have medullary sponge kidneys and get calcium/oxalate stones that stay in the kidneys. I know that drinking lots of fluids help minimize this. Are there any preventive vitamins, herbs, or diets that will slow the formation? Any vaccine? I heard that healthy bodies create a special chemical that prevents formation of stones. Is there anything outside our bodies that imitate this?

Posted on February 20, 2013 by National Kidney Foundation

Drinking lemonade with real lemon juice has been shown to help prevent kidney stones. In addition, you should follow a low salt DASH diet. You can review the DASH diet at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf. The DASH diet will change the chemistry of … Continue reading →

Posted in Diet/Nutrition, Kidney Stones, Kidney-Related Health Questions | Comments Off on What is the best way to slow down the formation of kidney stones? I have medullary sponge kidneys and get calcium/oxalate stones that stay in the kidneys. I know that drinking lots of fluids help minimize this. Are there any preventive vitamins, herbs, or diets that will slow the formation? Any vaccine? I heard that healthy bodies create a special chemical that prevents formation of stones. Is there anything outside our bodies that imitate this?

I only have one kidney and the eGFR varies from time to time. It is lower than 60, sometimes gets to 50, and goes back up again. Do I have CKD?? I found out that a gluten free diet help. What is your advice?

Posted on February 20, 2013 by National Kidney Foundation

In order to qualify as chronic kidney disease (CKD) the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) must be less than 60 milliliters per minute per 1.73 meters squared for greater than 3 months. Since you only have a single kidney, you … Continue reading →

Posted in Chronic Kidney Disease, GFR, Kidney-Related Health Questions | Comments Off on I only have one kidney and the eGFR varies from time to time. It is lower than 60, sometimes gets to 50, and goes back up again. Do I have CKD?? I found out that a gluten free diet help. What is your advice?

What is the best device for exercising an AV Fistula? I have a soft squishy pill toy from Phoslo in the shape of a very big pill (4″ long x 1-3/4 diameter). Is this good? How hard should I be squeezing this thing? Is one of those black handled springs from sporting goods store better? If so, how hard should I be squeezing that? No matter which device I use, for how many hours should I be squeezing these items? I’ve been using the Phoslo toy for 2-3 hours per day and I have developed a rather good “kung-fu grip” but the vein is no bigger than before.

Posted on February 20, 2013 by National Kidney Foundation

Anything that you squeeze regularly will work to develop a fistula, but it commonly takes 3 to 6 months to develop, even with such hand squeezing exercises. All of the devices that you mention will work just fine. The most … Continue reading →

Posted in AV Fistula, Kidney-Related Health Questions | Comments Off on What is the best device for exercising an AV Fistula? I have a soft squishy pill toy from Phoslo in the shape of a very big pill (4″ long x 1-3/4 diameter). Is this good? How hard should I be squeezing this thing? Is one of those black handled springs from sporting goods store better? If so, how hard should I be squeezing that? No matter which device I use, for how many hours should I be squeezing these items? I’ve been using the Phoslo toy for 2-3 hours per day and I have developed a rather good “kung-fu grip” but the vein is no bigger than before.

I am a sixty-four year old black woman. I have just been told that I was born with four kidneys. I have had kidney infections in the past, one of which resulted in a hospital stay. Is it possible that this condition could go undetected until now?

Posted on February 20, 2013 by National Kidney Foundation

Abnormalities of the kidneys that are present as birth defects often cannot be detected until discovered incidentally when looking for something else. That is why kidney disease is known as the silent disease. If you have lived for 64 years … Continue reading →

Posted in Kidney-Related Health Questions, Medication and Kidney Disease | Comments Off on I am a sixty-four year old black woman. I have just been told that I was born with four kidneys. I have had kidney infections in the past, one of which resulted in a hospital stay. Is it possible that this condition could go undetected until now?

My mother is very sick with kidney disease. Her GFR is 9.75 and creatinine is 4.5. She is colonized with infection in her urinary track (VRE) and (yeast). Should she be on dialysis?

Posted on February 20, 2013 by National Kidney Foundation

I am unable to provide medical advice without examining your mother. From your description, her kidney function is very poor. You should discuss dialysis with your mother’s doctors.

Posted in Dialysis, Kidney-Related Health Questions, Urological Issues | Comments Off on My mother is very sick with kidney disease. Her GFR is 9.75 and creatinine is 4.5. She is colonized with infection in her urinary track (VRE) and (yeast). Should she be on dialysis?

Hello, I would like to ask you a question. Are chest X-rays harmful in any way for patients with glomerulonephritis? Do you always suggest kidney biopsy for glomerulonephritis patients, even if they do not need some kind of treatment? Can a woman with glomerulonephritis (35 years old) with normal kidney function, blood pressure, and no protein in her urine become pregnant? What is the possibility that a pregnancy will negatively affect kidney function?

Posted on February 20, 2013 by National Kidney Foundation

A chest x-ray does not pose any risk to kidney disease. A kidney biopsy is performed when a specific diagnosis of kidney disease is required for treatment. If no treatment is planned, then a biopsy is not necessary. A woman … Continue reading →

Posted in Glomerulonephritis, Kidney-Related Health Questions, Medication and Kidney Disease | Comments Off on Hello, I would like to ask you a question. Are chest X-rays harmful in any way for patients with glomerulonephritis? Do you always suggest kidney biopsy for glomerulonephritis patients, even if they do not need some kind of treatment? Can a woman with glomerulonephritis (35 years old) with normal kidney function, blood pressure, and no protein in her urine become pregnant? What is the possibility that a pregnancy will negatively affect kidney function?

My 5 day-old baby girl is facing a kidney problem. She is currently in a dialysis treatment in Chandigarh. Please suggest me something.

Posted on February 20, 2013 by National Kidney Foundation

You do not identify the kidney problem. I am an adult nephrologist and do not see children. Your question suggests that your daughter is getting appropriate care. You should continue to consult with the physicians caring for your daughter.

Posted in Dialysis, Insurance & Medicare Coverage, Kidney-Related Health Questions | Comments Off on My 5 day-old baby girl is facing a kidney problem. She is currently in a dialysis treatment in Chandigarh. Please suggest me something.