Darbepoetin alfa is unsafe as well? | read this item
Darbepoetin alfa is a an erythropoesis stimulating agent marketed under the name Aranesp by AMGEN. It is used for the treatment of anemia ( a lower than normal blood count) as a consequence of renal failure or cancer.
The use of other similar agents has been questioned over the last 2 to 3 years due to [...]
New Treatments For FSGS -ASN Conference | read this item
Idiopathic focal and segmental glomerular sclerosis or FSGS is one of the most common causes of non diabetic kidney disease in the world and also one of the least satisfying to treat due to the difficulty with initiating and maintaining a durable remission. For decades the standard of treatment has been steroid therapy in high [...]
The conference has been extremely crowded so far with some talks having to close doors due to inability to accommodate any more people after all sitting and standing room has been exhausted. So I have turned to the poster sessions in attempt to connect with some of the breaking research which is yet to be [...]
Highlights of the American Society of Nephrology Conference Day 1.
San Diego Convention center. From the website of the San Diego Convention center. | read this item
After a whirlwind 12 hours of connecting flights I have finally arrived in San Diego to attend this years American Society of Nephrology conference.
The opening session of the 42nd annual conference was kicked off with an engrossing lecture by Nobel Prize winner Dr. Roger Tsien MD.
Dr Tsien gave an overview of his prize winning research [...]
Insulin resistance is a term many doctors and scientists are already familiar with. However not that many patients have a concept of exactly what is meant by resistance to insulin. Other than its role in the causation of type 2 diabetes, Ginsberg considers insulin resistance a major underlying abnormality driving cardiovascular disease, the major cause [...]
Sclerosing Encapsulating Peritonitis affects alters the normal Peritoneum | read this item
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Peritoneal dialysis relies on the peritoneal lining as a surface for the exchange of substances during dialysis. However the peritoneal membrane was never intended to be used for this purpose. The goal of peritoneal dialysis research is to find the least traumatic and disruptive method of ensuring efficient dialysis occurs for as long [...]
Image by RoundboyzPhotography
An AV fistula is the access of choice in patients starting dialysis. The use of AV fistula first is associated with less risk of infection which is a significant cause of morbidity and reduced survival in dialysis patients.
The technique used to cannulate a fistula is essentially the method used by the HD nurse [...]
Alport syndrome is a genetic defect of type 4 collagen, a major structural component of the glomerular basement membrane. Which is in turn the major structural component that defines the function of the filtration apparatus of the kidney. Defects of this important component of glomerular function results in various abnormalities. In Alport syndrome patients progressively [...]
photo Credit:happeningfish
Cramping of the muscles while undergoing dialysis is one of the most frequent complaints of dialysis patients. It occurs in up to 20% of dialysis sessions.
Risk factors for cramping includes high weight gain in between dialysis sessions.
Having low serum calcium or derangement of sodium and potassium.
Intradialytic hypotension may also present with cramping of the [...]
Usually kidney disease is associated with small kidneys. The process that shrinks the kidney is scarring otherwise known as fibrosis which is the end point of any damage to the kidney. However from time to time a disease process will come along that causes enlargement of the kidney as it proceeds to damage the kidney. [...]
Darbepoetin alfa is unsafe as well? | 
New Treatments For FSGS -ASN Conference | 
ASN conference day 2 | 
Highlights of the American Society of Nephrology Conference Day 1.
Insulin resistance | 
Sclerosing Encapsulating Peritonitis affects alters the normal Peritoneum | 
AV fistula complications | 
Stem Cells For Alport Syndrome | 
cramp | 
Large Kidneys What Do They Mean? | 
