Living Well with Kidney Disease

Dialysis Patient Citizens

Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) Education Center Podcasts provide individuals with the latest news on kidney disease while focusing on what patients can do to ensure their optimal health.  You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter and Youtube.

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Episodes

2024-04-17 Facebook Live - Kidney Q&A
Apr 7 2024
2024-04-17 Facebook Live - Kidney Q&A
FB Live – April 17th: April is Donate Life Month, and Dr. Scantlebury dives right in on all things transplant. She discusses the different transplant options, living vs. deceased donation, how long a kidney transplant lasts, and recent advances in the transplant space. She also answers questions about sinusitis' impact on kidney failure, resources for eating better, and many more important kidney related topics.Having been a kidney surgeon for over 30 years, Dr. Scantlebury knows the ins and outs of transplant process extremely well and provides patients with a wealth of knowledge. She very often gets asked about the difference between living and deceased donation options and what the processes entail. With living donation, patients often have an advocate that they are close with who helps them with the process of asking for a kidney or with tough questions. Advocates can also help with utilizing all avenues for a patient when searching for a kidney, such as clubs or neighborhood group they might be involved in, places of worship, family, or friend circles. For deceased donation, patients can be on multiple transplant lists as long as they are not in the same area. Other considerations would be that the patient can get to the transplant center in a reasonable amount of time when called and that they would then be able to stay in the area post-transplant during their recovery. Dr. Scantlebury also discusses the recent transplant that was done with a pig kidney and goes into more detail on how these types of transplants, known as xenotransplant, are done, what the considerations are for a patient to receive the transplant, and where the science is going. We invite you to join us for our live events and ask your kidney-related questions! Find us on both Instagram and Facebook:-          IG Live @patientcitizens the first Wednesday of the month, 12:30pm EST-          Facebook Live www.facebook.com/patientcitizens the third Wednesday of the month, 12:30pm EST
2024-03-20 Facebook Live - Kidney Q&A
Mar 20 2024
2024-03-20 Facebook Live - Kidney Q&A
FB Live – March 20th: For this latest episode of Kidney Questions for the Doctor, DPC Education Center’s Dr. Velma Scantlebury answers questions from both dialysis and kidney transplant patients. This episode covers many different aspects of living with kidney disease, including different access types and when one might be used over another, updated COVID vaccine guidelines for kidney patients, a common virus doctors watch out for in transplant patients,When patients “crash” into dialysis or when acute dialysis is needed, typically you doctor will place a catheter in order to begin receiving treatment immediately. Though there are instances where an individual might need to keep a catheter, it is more common that you’ll have another access site, either a fistula or a graft, to lessen the chances of infection. Dr. Scantlebury also talks about the recently updated vaccine guidelines for patients age 65+ or immunocompromised patients and ways to keep yourself health if you’re gathering with family or friends. Patients who are immunocompromised are also more susceptible to BK virus, which Dr. Scantlebury explains in-depth on what that virus is, who is at risk for infections, symptoms, and how it’s treated. We invite you to join us for our live events and ask your kidney-related questions! Find us on both Instagram and Facebook:- IG Live @patientcitizens the first Wednesday of the month, 12:30pm EST- Facebook Live www.facebook.com/patientcitizens the third Wednesday of the month, 12:30pm EST
2024-03-06 IG Live - Kidney Q&A
Mar 6 2024
2024-03-06 IG Live - Kidney Q&A
IG Live – March 6th: March is National Kidney Month and Dr. Scantlebury highlights the importance of sharing your kidney story and encouraging everyone to know their numbers. This month we also discussed how hemoglobin is maintained if you have kidney disease, how anti-rejection medication works in the body, the importance of keep up with labs and bloodwork, even after you've had a transplant, and many other important kidney-related topics.Many times, kidney disease is silent, and patients don’t know there’s an issue until they crash into dialysis. This doesn’t have to be the case though, which is why it’s super important to know your numbers and encourage family and friends to know their numbers and if they have any risk factors for kidney disease. During kidney disease progression, one of the many things that is monitored is your hemoglobin - Dr. Scantlebury explains what hemoglobin is and how it’s monitored and maintained throughout kidney disease, dialysis, and transplant stages. Once you’ve been transplanted, one of the big changes is that you have to begin taking antirejection medications. Dr. Scantlebury discusses what these medication actually do in their body, and why it is so important to stay on top of your labs after transplant.Give us a listen to hear all this and more important information for living well with kidney disease. If you have your own questions you’d like to have the doctor answer, tune in for our Live events on both Instagram and Facebook:- IG Live @patientcitizens the first Wednesday of each month, 12:30pm EST- Facebook Live www.facebook.com/patientcitizens the third Wednesday of each month, 12:30pm EST
2024-04-03 Instagram Live - Kidney Q&A
Mar 4 2024
2024-04-03 Instagram Live - Kidney Q&A
IG Live – April 3rd: The DPC Education Center’s Health Care Consultant, Dr. Scantlebury, is back to answer your most pressing questions about all things kidneys. This month, you wanted to know about why it's important to keep your phosphorous levels down as a dialysis patient, how to feel more comfortable about the transplant process, and the parathyroid gland. One of the many things dialysis patients have to watch is their phosphorus levels. Patients are prescribed and told to take binder and which foods and drinks they should avoid, but it’s not always explained why it’s important to keep phosphorus levels down. Dr. Scantlebury provides an in-depth explanation about how phosphorus creates plaque in patients’ blood vessels, which makes it much more difficult to be abel to transplant. Dr. Scantlebury also provides some insight as to ways patients can feel more comfortable about the transplant process, as well as discussing the parathyroid gland. She highlights what this gland is responsible for, how it might misfunction when a patient goes on dialysis, and potential treatments should your parathyroid gland begin to function incorrectly.  Give us a listen to hear all this and more important information for living well with kidney disease. If you have your own questions you’d like to have the doctor answer, tune in for our Live events on both Instagram and Facebook: IG Live @patientcitizens the first Wednesday of each month, 12:30pm EST Facebook Live www.facebook.com/patientcitizens the third Wednesday of each month, 12:30pm EST
2024-1-03 Instagram Live - Kidney Q&A
Mar 1 2024
2024-1-03 Instagram Live - Kidney Q&A
IG Live – January 3rd: Happy New Year and welcome back to Kidney Questions for the Doctor! DPC Education Center’s Healthcare Consultant, Dr. Scantlebury, is kicking off 2024 by answering the kidney questions that are at the top of our patients’ minds. This episode dives right in to discuss the difference between acute and chronic dialysis, what happens when you are called for a kidney transplant, and the importance of screening for kidney disease. Dr. Scantlebury explains that, although dialysis is most often associated with the end of kidney function, patients can sometimes be placed on dialysis for just a short period of time (acute dialysis) if they have had an injury to their kidneys. In this case, dialysis is only needed while the kidneys heal, and then the patient can go off dialysis. She also covers the process of what happens when you are called for a kidney transplant, touching on several different scenarios depending of where the kidney is coming from. Additionally, Dr. Scantlebury highlights the importance of screening for kidney disease, since there aren’t always symptoms. Give us a listen to hear all this and more important information for living well with kidney disease. If you have your own questions you’d like to have the doctor answer, tune in for our Live events on both Instagram and Facebook: IG Live @patientcitizens the first Wednesday of each month, 12:30pm EST Facebook Live www.facebook.com/patientcitizens the third Wednesday of each month, 12:30pm EST
2023-07-26 - Instagram Live - Kidney Q&A
Aug 13 2023
2023-07-26 - Instagram Live - Kidney Q&A
In this episode, dive into an enriching conversation on the challenges and triumphs of living with dialysis in this podcast episode. Our discussion covers a broad spectrum of topics, from the misconceptions about dialysis, and transitioning to the "new normal," to the imperative role of education and proactive health management.We explore how patients, their families, and their healthcare providers can better understand and navigate the often-complicated landscape of dialysis treatment. A key part of our conversation centers on the power of asking questions, with a strong emphasis on advocating for oneself to ensure access to available resources and support.Dr. Olufunke Awosogba, a health professional with vast experience, guides us through this crucial conversation. Dr. Awosogba is a licensed psychologist in the State of Texas and the Director of the Behavioral Health Program in the Hematology and Oncology Outpatient Clinic at Parkland Hospital.Having earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in counseling psychology from The University of Texas at Austin with clinical training in health psychology at VA Medical Centers in Memphis, TN, and Houston, TX, Dr. Awosogba's clinical focus lies in helping adults with chronic medical conditions achieve optimal psychological wellness and better quality of life. She is also passionate about increasing mental health literacy and reducing mental health stigma among people of color.Join us in this episode as we delve into an in-depth discussion that not only informs but inspires and empowers patients and healthcare providers alike.