Let's Talk About Kidneys – Details, episodes & analysis

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Let's Talk About Kidneys

Dallas Nephrology Associates

Health & Fitness

Frequency: 1 episode/61d. Total Eps: 24

Nephrologists work daily to improve the quality of care for their patients. These kidney doctors know that when their patients understand their condition, they can better manage their kidney health. "Let's Talk About Kidneys'' takes a deep dive into the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patient journey. It's a podcast that inspires meaningful conversations and helps people living with CKD gain a full understanding of their disease. With this knowledge, CKD patients can improve their outcomes while living a longer, more fulfilling life. Do you know anyone with CKD? Tune in to gain valuable information that can help you understand and support your loved ones who are living with kidney disease.

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🇨🇦 Canada - medicine
22/06/2026
#100

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https://www.dneph.com/podcast-disclaimer/
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https://prepareforyourcare.org/en/advance-directive
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https://www.nih.gov/
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Good

Score global : 79%

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Pregnancy and Kidney Disease: What to expect?

Season 25 · Episode 4

Monday, February 23, 2026 • Duration 24:01

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a condition that affects how the kidneys work over time. For women with CKD who are planning to have a family, there are important factors to consider to ensure the best possible outcomes. Can I have a baby if I have CKD?

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Kidney Disease: From Diagnosis, Staging and Common Lab Tests

Season 24 · Episode 3

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 • Duration 22:49

In this episode of Let's Talk About Kidneys, Dr. Lauren McDonald, a nephrologist with Dallas Nephrology Associates, discusses the diagnosis, staging, and common tests for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dr. McDonald explains how kidney disease is diagnosed, common symptoms, and some of the key tests, including BUN, creatinine, GFR, hemoglobin A1C, kidney biopsies, and more. She also discusses the importance of being your own healthcare advocate, family histories, how to maintain health records, and the importance of monitoring your diabetes, and hypertension.

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Sodium and Your CKD Diet

Season 2 · Episode 14

Tuesday, May 16, 2023 • Duration 24:19

When most people think of sodium, they think of salt. In this episode of Let's Talk About Kidneys, Dallas Nephrology Associates' Senior Clinical Dietitian Carolyn Cochran breaks down what sodium is, how to identify it in common foods and ways to make lifestyle adjustments for healthier kidneys.

What is sodium?

Sodium is one of three important electrolytes found in the body. Electrolytes control the fluids going in and out of your body's tissues and cells.

"Sodium is essential for life," Carolyn says. "It's in animals, vegetables, minerals and is important for muscle function, nerve function, and for fluid balance."

Many types of salt are used to season food. A survey conducted by the American Heart Association found that more than 60 percent of respondents thought that sea salt was healthier than table salt. But whether you're using kosher salt, table salt or Himalayan black salt, Carolyn says all salts are equal.

"The bottom line is that they all contain sodium and the amount of sodium is comparable," says Carolyn.

Sodium and your kidneys

Sodium is an essential nutrient in your body. One of the jobs of the kidneys is to keep sodium in balance, Carolyn says. If sodium is out of balance, your body's fluid balance is also affected. This can affect muscle and nerve function.

How does sodium affect blood pressure?

Many people have a sensitivity to salt, which can be exhibited in high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. High blood pressure is the number two cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD), second only to diabetes.

What is a low-sodium diet?

In the U.S., 2,300 milligrams is considered a healthy target. Carolyn says that the average U.S. citizen will consume 3,500 to more than 5,000 milligrams of sodium per day, especially when dining out. A low-sodium diet is about 1,500 to 2,000 milligrams.

Only a small percentage of the population who experience excessive sweat loss due to exercise–such as athletes–need more sodium. But Carolyn says most people could benefit from a low-sodium diet.

Tracking your sodium intake For people who want to track their sodium intake, Carolyn recommends starting with a base of about 500 milligrams to leave room for the sodium that naturally occurs in foods. Hidden sodium

A teaspoon of salt has 2,000 milligrams of sodium, but sodium isn't just found in a salt shaker. Many foods have "hidden" sodium.

Reading labels Medical Nutrition Therapy

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What to Expect at Your First Visit with a Nephrologist

Season 2 · Episode 13

Tuesday, April 18, 2023 • Duration 19:38

Your first visit to the doctor after being diagnosed with kidney disease can be a big deal. Tune into this episode where Dallas Nephrologist Dr. Michael R. Wiederkehr breaks down what to expect at your first visit with a nephrologist at Dallas Nephrology Associates.

Why do I need to see a Nephrologist?

Nephrologists – experts in kidney care – treat conditions that affect the kidneys.

Primary care physicians run routine blood or urine tests. When these results are abnormal, it could indicate that something is wrong with the kidneys. In this case, the primary care doctor will refer the patient to a nephrologist.

Other reasons to see a nephrologist include conditions that affect the kidneys. These include:

Kidney stones
Diabetes
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Electrolyte disturbances

What happens at the first Nephrologist Appointment

Dr. Wiederkehr says the first appointment is longer than most appointments.

"You can expect to be present for about an hour because I need to get to know you and discuss some things that I couldn't quite understand from your records," Dr. Wiederkehr says.

During the visit, the nephrologist is working to create a comprehensive picture of your kidney health and look at how other conditions may be affecting your kidneys.

Blood and urine tests are typically run, and frequently, a kidney ultrasound is arranged at an outside facility. In some cases, a kidney biopsy might be needed, but Dr. Wiederkehr says this is not typical.

An exam is performed that focuses on the kidneys and the organs that are affected by them. The heart, lungs and legs are examined to look at circulation and find out if any swelling is present.

What to bring to your first nephrologist visit

On your first visit to Dallas Nephrology Associates you will need to bring:

What happens after my first Nephrologist appointment?

When Should You See a Nephrologist

Season 2 · Episode 12

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 • Duration 17:01

Tune into this episode where Dallas Nephrologist Dr. Michael R. Wiederkehr explains when you might need to see a Nephrologist. Dr. Weiderkehr breaks down what a nephrologist does and which tests might indicate it's time to see a kidney doctor.

What is a Nephrologist?

Nephrologists treat systemic conditions affecting kidneys, such as diabetes and autoimmune disease, as well as hypertension (high blood pressure) and electrolyte disturbances. They are experts in kidney care.

What is the difference between a Urologist and a Nephrologist?

Urologists and Nephrologists are sometimes confused with each other. Dr. Wiederkehr explains that this is because both doctors deal with the urogenital tract.

Nephrologists aren't surgeons, but rather Internal Medicine sub specialists, Dr. Wiederkehr says. They are focused on kidney function.

Urologists see patients with kidney tumors, or kidney stones, as well as treat other male issues, such as prostate or erectile dysfunction. They may also help male or female patients who have bladder issues.

Why do I need to see a Nephrologist?

Primary care physicians run routine blood or urine tests. When these results return an abnormal number, it might mean that something is wrong with the kidneys. If this is the case, the primary care doctor refers the patient to a nephrologist.

Dr. Wiederkehr says sometimes there's a reluctance by patients to see another doctor.

"But there's always a reason why the primary care physician feels that something needs to be seen by a specialist," he says.

Do I have Kidney Disease if I'm referred to a Nephrologist?

A nephrologist referral does not always mean a kidney disease diagnosis is in your future, Dr. Wiederkehr says.

"Our main purpose is really to find out," Dr. Wiederkehr says. "And if so, is it something that is more serious, or something that we can just manage periodically with some less close observation?"

Medications: Over the Counter/Prescribed/Herbal

Season 2 · Episode 11

Tuesday, February 21, 2023 • Duration 14:52

Tune into this episode where Dallas Nephrologist Dr. Daniel Richey talks about how some medications can keep your kidneys from working the way they should. Dr. Richey covers the most common over-the-counter (OTC) medications that are approved and not approved for patients diagnosed with kidney disease. Learn how to choose the right medications, and which ones to avoid.

What OTC Medications Should Kidney Patients Avoid

Dr. Richey explains that the most important class of medications that patients with kidney disease should know about are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These include brand names like Ibuprofen, Aleve, Motrin and Naproxen.

Kidney Damage From OTC Drugs - NSAIDs

NSAIDs can be very dangerous for patients who have kidney disease to use on a daily basis. Dr. Richey tells his patients that it's OK to use these kinds of over-the-counter medications if they have an acute injury or need to reduce a fever.

While NSAIDs can sometimes be used sparingly, taking them on an ongoing basis can cause severe damage to the kidneys.

Dr. Richey emphasizes that he's seen many patients experience significant kidney function decline as a result of improper NSAID use. He recommends talking to your doctor if you're not sure if you're taking an NSAID.

Medications, Supplements That Cause High Blood Pressure

NSAIDs can cause fluid retention, electrolyte disturbances in blood work and can raise your blood pressure.

Other supplements, medications and herbs that can cause high blood pressure include:

Pseudoephedrine, which is commonly used for colds to relieve sinus stuffiness
Popular over-the-counter weight loss supplements
Licorice extract and licorice
Some preparations of Chinese herbs

Additionally, for many kidney disease patients, Vitamin C can be safe, Dr. Richey says. But patients with a history of kidney stones need to be careful with Vitamin C.

What Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications Can Kidney Patients Take For Pain? Keep Your Kidney Doctor in the Loop

Understanding the Significance of Research in the Treatment of Kidney Diseases

Season 1 · Episode 10

Tuesday, January 24, 2023 • Duration 21:34

Listen in to hear Dr. Mehta fill us in on how DNA is involved in chronic kidney disease research, including the types of kidney disease that are under investigation within DNA medication clinical trials, the team roles in clinical trials, and what to consider if you are interested in applying to a clinical trial as a patient with kidney disease.

What is a Clinical Trial?

A clinical trial is a process in which a drug or medical procedure is tested on an adult patient with a specific illness or condition. In this case, DNA has participated and conducted research with different clinical trials ranging in study time from several weeks to several years. DNA conducts clinical trials on different types and stages of kidney disease. DNA currently has over twenty clinical studies in progress.

Team Roles in a Clinical Trial

The principal investigator is responsible for the conduct of the trial. Components of a clinical trial include patient safety, wellbeing, the eligibility of the patient, and events that may happen to a patient during the trial. Team members will communicate several times daily about patients in a current clinical trial.

Clinical Trial Phases

There are four clinical trial phases, phases one through four. The first phase is testing on humans, and the fourth involves after-market trials. Some drugs in trials can be directed towards specific types of kidney disease, such as diabetic or high blood pressure kidney disease. In addition, there are rare genetic kidney diseases that have medications in our clinical trials.

Should You Consider Enrolling in a Clinical Trial?

As a patient, if you enroll in a trial with DNA, you will receive the standard of care treatment that includes monitoring the disease and treatment with medications. Then, if you are assigned to the treatment phase, you'll be able to receive treatment inside the clinical trial.

How Education Can Improve the Outcomes of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Season 1 · Episode 9

Tuesday, December 20, 2022 • Duration 23:28

Take a behind-the-scenes look into the world of DNA with real examples of our values in daily life. In this episode, Sandra M. Lauriat, MD, Nephrologist, and Director of CKD Education, talks about the importance of educating patients to make better choices and DNA's groundbreaking kidney patient education program.

What is Healthcare Literacy?

DNA believes in encouraging patients to understand and find reliable information regarding their own health. We also believe in providing education that's easy to understand and applicable to patients to improve the efficacy of health care plans and overall health.

If a patient doesn't understand a healthcare provider, a patient needs to gather, look and understand information because of the difficulty of our medical situation here in America. So DNA likes to help patients understand and find what's reliable and suitable for them and their medical situation.

What Does

When a provider and patient come together to decide on treatment and nutritional options, an informed patient participates in putting together their comprehensive plan. Therefore, DNA prioritizes patient education because those involved in their healthcare are healthier, happier, and follow care plans more than those who aren't invested in their health.

How Does DNA Improve Healthcare Literacy?

Providing a robust education program outside the treatment room on disease information, how to keep kidneys healthy, and what to do as their disease advances are all part of how DNA improves the education of our patients.

Internal Links and Resources

Dallas Nephrology Associates website: http://dneph.com/National Kidney Foundation website:

Communicating Your Wishes: Letting Others Know What Matters Most To You

Season 1 · Episode 8

Tuesday, November 29, 2022 • Duration 28:23

Take a behind-the-scenes look into the world of DNA with real examples of our values in daily life. In this episode, Mary Beth Callahan, Supportive Care Team Program Manager and Senior Social Worker, walks through creating an Advance Directive in the case that a patient is unable to communicate their medical treatment wishes to their healthcare team.

What Is An Advance Directive?

An Advance Directive ensures that a patient's medical treatment is carried out to their wishes. 10 or 15 years ago, an Advance Directive was just one document. Now, DNA and other medical leaders have decided that there needs to be a more extensive plan to detail what matters most to a patient.

One resource for this form is prepareforyourcare.com, which is state-specific and accessible. You can walk through this form alongside the podcast, which will be a deep dive into the documentation of an Advance Directive, which includes preparing for end-of-life treatment and naming a decision-maker for your medical treatment.

What Is Included in an Advance Directive?

The form will dictate who is permitted to make medical decisions on your behalf, as well as the level of flexibility of those decisions and what the patient's values regarding care are. It's important to choose a trusted adult as a decision-maker. In the event that a patient hasn't elected someone, many states will appoint a next of kin, spouse, or will take the decision to a court.

An Advance Directive is also crucial in determining a patient's values and wishes. The patient can decide how much flexibility they want their decision-maker to have when it comes to certain situations. A patient may also want to specify what matters most to them. This may be prioritizing quality of life over longevity, religious or spiritual practices, and how much they would like to know about their illness.

The Coordination of a Patient's Care between their PCP and Nephrologist

Season 1 · Episode 7

Tuesday, October 25, 2022 • Duration 20:22

Have you ever wondered how a primary care physician and nephrologist work together to help manage kidney disease? In today's episode, we will talk about the role of each doctor and how they partner together to coordinate a patient's care and take a look at the relationship between the Primary Care Physician (PCP) and the Nephrologist. Find out how they coordinate their care to help ensure a healthier patient.

How a Patient Can Be Prepared for their First Nephrology Visit

Make sure to write down questions you want to ask your nephrologist. Many times, patients are questioning why they've been referred to a kidney doctor, so asking questions about your lab work and why you're there is a good place to start with your first visit. Your physician can break down your lab results, explain what they mean, and give you a clear understanding of why you're visiting a nephrologist.

What is a Nephrologist?

A nephrologist is a medical doctor that does not perform surgery, and manages low kidney function for a variety of kidney diseases and issues. Many patients end up seeing a nephrologist when their kidneys aren't filtering their blood effectively. Whether you have an acute or chronic issue, a kidney doctor can work with the patient to monitor, treat, and help alleviate symptoms of someone experiencing kidney problems.

The job of a kidney doctor is to explain the medical testing, and terms, and to manage and hopefully stop the progression of kidney issues, including kidney disease. In addition, many patients are afraid they need dialysis when visiting a kidney doctor, which is not always the case.

Disclaimer

Dallas Nephrology Associates' (DNA) podcast series, Let's Talk About Kidneys, is provided for general information purposes only and does not replace the need to talk with a healthcare professional about your unique situation, care and options. Our goal is to provide you with as much information as possible so you can be as informed as possible. Reference to any specific product, service, entity or organization does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by DNA.

Let's Talk About Kidneys – Details, episodes & analysis

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Let's Talk About Kidneys – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other6

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Other6

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities