Debates in nephrology: CKD staging system Introduction In 2002, the US National Kidney Foundation (NKF) released a new classification of chronic kidney disease (CKD) (Levey et al, 2003). This classification system represented a new conceptual framework for the diagnosis of CKD, moving away from an diagnosis-based system to a scheme based on disease severity defined […]
Debates in nephrology: CKD staging system Read More »
Jonah Lomu (12 May 1975 – 18 November 2015) was a New Zealand professional rugby union player. Lomu is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential players in the history of the sport. Standing 6 foot 5 inches and weighing 119 kilograms, Lomu was famed for his unprecedented speed, strength and agility.
Jonah Lomu, rugby world cup star, and his nephrotic syndrome Read More »
10 interesting facts about your kidneys Have you ever wondered where your kidneys actually are? Or if you can survive with just one kidney? Do you know what the hieroglyphic for wee is? Read this article to find out the answers and learn many more interesting and strange facts about the kidneys! 1. Your kidneys are
10 interesting facts about your kidneys Read More »
Sick day rules – AKI prevention in CKD patients If CKD patients become sick and dehydrated (usually secondary to an infection, e.g. urine, chest or gastrointestinal), they should be advised to withhold the 7 groups of medications below. This is because these drugs can precipitate AKI during such illnesses. And if they can be stopped
Sick day rules – AKI prevention in CKD patients Read More »
Everything I need to know about a single kidney Can you live with only one kidney? What happens if you’re born with one kidney? Or if one of them stops working? Read this article to find out what side effects there are to having one kidney, and the changes you might need to make to
Everything I need to know about a single kidney Read More »
10 drugs that can damage your kidneys Almost all drugs can affect the kidneys in some adverse way. But these 10 drugs are known to damage kidneys quite often. Certain antibiotics – aminoglycosides (e.g. gentamicin) and beta-lactams (cephalosporins, penicillins) Lithium – a bipolar disease mood stabiliser Acyclovir and ganciclovir (antivirals) Certain blood pressure tablets – angiotensin-converting enzyme
10 drugs that can damage your kidneys Read More »
CKD – the basics (for health professionals) This article is largely written for health professionals. We will now go through the basics of CKD and its management. Definition An estimated or measured glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of <60 mL/min – that is present for at least three months with or without evidence of kidney damage;
CKD – the basics (for health professionals) Read More »
Key Points Myth: CKD is rare (a mild form is quite common) Myth: CKD makes you feel unwell (it’s a silent disease in its early stages) Myth: CKD leads to dialysis (that is rare) Myth: Drinking a lot of water is ‘good’ for the kidneys (it is not) Myth: Kidney problems cause back pain (also
10 chronic kidney disease myths Read More »
10 CKD symptoms (and what causes them) Keep track of your kidney data with PKB Urinary symptoms High blood pressure Shortness of breath and ankle swelling (red flag symptoms) – you need to see a doctor soon Tiredness Pain Muscle weakness Not being hungry Itching Poor concentration and sleeping Other (non-specific) – including a feeling
10 CKD symptoms (and what causes them) Read More »
20 kidney facts Keep track of your kidney data with PKB This article will describe 20 kidney facts. Let’s now go through 20 top facts about the kidneys. Your kidneys are vital organs – just like your brain, heart, lungs and liver. Your kidneys clean your blood, help control your blood pressure, help make red blood cells and
