Hot Topics in Kidney Health

Over 50% of LGBTQIA-plus people have experienced some form of healthcare discrimination and over 25% of transgender people reported being denied care due to their transgender status. Not having proper health care or avoiding health care due to discrimination, can result in dire consequences, including an increased risk of health problems like kidney disease. What is this discrimination, and how ca...

For far too long treatments for CKD haven’t changed. Launched in 2021, the NKF Innovation Fund works to accelerate funding, and development of therapies that kidney patients deserve. On this episode, you will hear from NKF CEO Kevin Longino interviews Kathleen St. Jean, Chief Commercial Officer of 34 Lives, one of the first recipients of a significant investment from NKF’s Innovation Fund to help...

Donating a kidney is one of the most selfless gifts one person can give to another. But what is that experience like for the donor before and after the transplant surgery? Today, we'll hear from Jessica Kolansky, a living kidney donor, and Alexandra Catalyst, a transplant coordinator, about the post transplant experience and what resources are available to donors after the surgery. On today’s epis...

Is laughter really the best medicine? On today’s episode we’ll discuss an exciting new coping strategy for dialysis patients called guided group laughing therapy. What is it and how does it help? Dr. Paul Bennet who ran a study on the benefits of laughing therapy and Kimberly Super-Harrigan, a dialysis patient, are here to break it down.   Professor Paul Bennett Paul has experience in both academi...

Obesity is one of the major risk factors for developing kidney disease, which is measured through the body mass index or BMI. This measurement factors into the process for both living donors and transplant recipients. On today’s episode, you’ll learn how to measure your BMI and hear from both kidney patients on how managing their weight affected their kidney health. In this episode we spoke with, ...

In 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned precedent established by Roe v Wade, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion. Family planning decisions can be difficult and complex for kidney patients. On today’s episode, we’ll discuss how this impacts kidney patients and disadvantaged patients with limited access to healthcare.   On this episode we spoke with,  Harriett Oppenheim Born and raise...

Did you know that 40% of chronic kidney disease progression may be preventable with earlier diagnosis and treatment? On this episode, you will hear the facts around treating CKD earlier from Dr. Joe Vassalotti, NKF’s Chief Medical Officer. You will also hear from Jane DeMeis on her journey with kidney disease. In this episode we spoke with,  Joseph A. Vassalotti . MD Dr. Vassalotti is the Chief Me...

It is important that certain individuals with CKD limit their fluid intake, but many don’t understand why or where to begin. On today’s episode, we sat down with experts to discuss fluid restriction, such as why it’s important, the negative effects of consuming too much, and ways to manage a fluid-restricted diet. On today's episode we spoke with:  Catherine C. Wells, DNP, ACNP, CNN-NP, FNKF Dr. W...

Keeping your body and bones strong are important when you have kidney disease. Do you know what types of exercise are good for kidney patients? What about for transplant recipients or people on dialysis? In this episode, we sat down with experts to discuss the benefits and recommendations of managing an exercise routine. On this episode, we spoke with:  Brittany Glazar  Brittany has been a Clinica...

Undocumented people face increased barriers to accessing health coverage and care, including treatment for kidney disease. In this episode, our guest experts discuss what treatment options are currently available for undocumented people and what kind of advocacy efforts are being made to improve their access to health care.    On this episode, we spoke with: Lilia Cervantes, MD Dr. Cervantes recei...

Las personas indocumentadas enfrentan bastantes barreras para acceder cobertura y atención médica, incluyendo el tratamiento para la enfermedad renal. En este episodio, nuestras expertas invitadas discuten qué opciones de tratamiento están disponibles actualmente para las personas indocumentadas y qué tipo de esfuerzos se están haciendo para mejorar el acceso a la atención médica. En este episodio...

As a kidney patient or a transplant recipient, you probably know that getting a flu shot can offer the best protection from a serious disease. But should you get it every year? Or is it safe to get the flu and the COVID vaccine or booster at the same time? Get answers to these questions and more on today’s podcast with Dr. Harold Manley, Senior Pharmacy Director at Dialysis Clinic Inc. in Nashvill...

The Medicare coverage for immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant patients has recently been expanded. But what does this new benefit cover and who is eligible? in this podcast, Cynthia Nichols-Jackson, a registered nurse and a program coordinator for the National Kidney Foundation, and Troy Zimmerman, a special projects director for the National Kidney Foundation, discuss how this new polic...

After a kidney transplant, your diet still plays a big role. Do you know which foods to avoid or how your transplant medications affect what you can eat? On today’s episode, we’ll discuss how you can keep your new kidney healthy while also maintaining a healthy weight.

One of the jobs your kidneys is to manage your body’s levels of potassium, which keeps your heartbeat regular and your muscles working right. Many kidney patients need to watch what they eat to ensure that their potassium levels don’t become too high and cause dangerous health risks. On today’s episode, you’ll hear how to best manage your potassium levels to protect yourself.   In this episode, we...

While many people feel like the world is headed back to normal, many kidney patients can feel left behind. COVID-19 is still top of mind for those who are immunocompromised and we're here to offer resources and support. On today's episode, our guests will answer your questions about how COVID-19 affects transplant, dialysis, and early stage CKD patients.   In this episode, we spoke with: Dan Weine...

When we hear the word research, most of us think of innovative breakthrough treatments and technologies. But applied clinical research could not be possible without another type of research called basic science research in which scientists study the fundamental processes of the human body. In this episode, we’ll learn what basic science research is and how it applies to the area of kidneys and kid...

Shared decision making can play a vital role in the treatment of kidney disease. When physicians involve patients in their care, they may be able to help slow progression and improve outcomes. In this episode, we discussed how patients and their physicians can achieve this and hear stories from patients who have been there.   In this episode, we spoke with:   Ansara Piebenga, parent of a child wit...

People with chronic conditions like kidney disease face mental health struggles such as depression or anxiety. In many kidney patients those challenges often go overlooked or undertreated. In this episode, we sat down with a mentor and mentee from NKF Peers to discuss their experiences and the importance of talking to someone who knows what you've been through.   In this episode, we spoke with: Do...

If you are in need of a kidney transplant, finding a living donor can sound scary and overwhelming. Where should you start and what’s the best way to share your story with the world? In this episode, you will hear from transplant recipients who once stood in your shoes.   In this episode, we spoke with: Dorothy Muench, LCSW Dori Muench is a post-transplant social worker with the Abdominal Organ tr...

From the invention of the dialysis machine to the first successful kidney transplant, science has come a long way in extending life for kidney patients. Is transplantation between humans and animals the next step? In this episode, you will hear from a doctor behind the first successful transplant of a human receiving a pig kidney and where the science can take us from here. We dedicate this episod...

Many potential living organ donors have questions, such as what does the journey look like, and how do you know if you are eligible to donate? If you are one of them, this podcast is for you. On this episode, our panel will share the first-hand experience of being a living donor and walk you through the evaluation process.   In this episode, you will hear from: Tania Kasongo Tania was born in the...

Some diseases run in the family, when more than one person has the same kind of illness passed down through genes. One of those genes, called APOL1, has variations that are linked to an increased risk for kidney disease, especially in under-resourced communities of color. In today's bonus episode, we discuss how a clinical research study is looking to understand the effect of APOL1 on kidney trans...

Pregnancy can be an exciting time for most people, but what does it look like if you are a kidney patient? What does pregnancy look like if they have kidney disease, are on dialysis, or have received a transplant? In this episode, we’ll hear useful facts and tips from transplant nephrologist Dr. Mariana Markell, as well as personal stories from Cari Maxwell and Katie Reed, two mothers living with...

You might have heard about drugs called SGLT2 inhibitors used in treatment of kidney disease, but, just like many other kidney patients, you might not know if they’re right for you. On this episode, we explain how different SGLT2 inhibitors are from other kidney disease medications, discuss side effects, cost, and the ongoing research around this category of drugs.   On this episode you will hear...