Step by Step: Why We Show Up for the Kidney Walk Every Year
Every October, hundreds of patients, families, and providers lace up their shoes for one of the biggest events on ANC’s calendar: the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Walk. This year, as our team gears up to hit the pavement again, we sat down with Ella Harpole, PA-C, who has attended the walk nearly every year since […]
Itchy Skin and Kidney Disease: Why It Happens and What Helps
Itchy skin is a common and often overlooked problem for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially in advanced stages and on dialysis. It likely comes from a mix of causes, such as waste build-up, mineral imbalances and dry skin. There are ways to ease it, from simple skin care to treatments your care team […]
Kidney Cysts: When Are They Harmless and When Do They Need Attention?
Most kidney cysts are simple cysts: small, fluid-filled sacs that become common as people get older, rarely cause symptoms and are almost always harmless. A smaller number look more complicated on a scan and need follow-up imaging or treatment, because some can be or become cancer. Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a different, inherited condition […]
Is Coffee Bad for Your Kidneys? Coffee, Alcohol, and Other Drinks
For most people, coffee does not appear to be bad for the kidneys. Large studies link it with a lower risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) says people with kidney disease do not have to give it up, though the amount and what you add matter. Alcohol, dark colas […]
The Hidden Damage: How Diabetes Quietly Harms Your Kidneys
Nearly 85% of chronic kidney disease cases in people with diabetes are caused by diabetic kidney disease (DKD), making diabetes the leading cause of kidney failure nationwide. But according to ANC’s Dr. Maryyam Ali, who specializes in diabetic kidney disease, the most surprising part isn’t how common DKD is, it’s how early it starts, often […]
What Is Glomerulonephritis? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Glomerulonephritis means the glomeruli, the tiny filters in your kidneys that clean your blood, are inflamed. It can start suddenly or develop slowly over years, and it often causes no symptoms until a urine or blood test picks it up. Some forms clear up once the cause is treated, while others need long-term care to […]
Swollen Legs, Ankles, or Eyes: When Is It a Kidney Problem?
Swollen legs, ankles or puffy eyes can be a sign of a kidney problem, because kidneys that are not working well may hold on to extra fluid and salt or leak protein into the urine. Many other things cause swelling too, from long hours on your feet to heart disease or a new medicine. Clues […]
Acute Kidney Injury vs. Chronic Kidney Disease: What’s the Difference?
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a sudden drop in kidney function that happens over hours to days, usually during another illness. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is kidney damage or reduced function that lasts 3 months or more and tends to develop slowly. AKI often gets better with prompt treatment, while CKD is managed to slow […]
Are Pain Relievers Safe for Your Kidneys? What to Know About NSAIDs
Some common pain relievers can harm the kidneys. The main concern is a group called NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, and the risk is highest at higher doses, with long-term use, and in people whose kidneys are already under strain. If you have kidney disease, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any […]
How Diabetes Affects Your Kidneys, and How to Protect Them
Diabetes can damage your kidneys slowly, over many years, by harming the tiny blood vessels that filter your blood. This is called diabetic kidney disease, and it usually causes no symptoms at first. A yearly urine test and blood test can find it early, when reaching your blood sugar and blood pressure goals does the […]