Kidney Disease: Watching Potassium in Food
By controlling the amount of potassium you eat, you can keep a safe level in your blood. Here are cooking tips and a list of hidden sources of potassium.
Kidney Disease- Eating a Safe Amount of Potassium
The body needs some potassium to keep the heart working normally. Controlling how much potassium you eat can keep a safe level in your blood.
Carotid Artery Problems: Stroke
When the carotid arteries are healthy, the brain gets all the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function well. If the carotid arteries are damaged, however, it can greatly increase your chances of stroke.
Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery
During heart valve surgery, one or more valves are repaired or replaced. Repair means that the valve is mended to help it work better. Replacement means your diseased valve is removed and a new valve is inserted in its place.
Caring for Your PD Catheter and Exit Site
Your healthcare provider will teach you how to care for your catheter and exit site. Good care is important to prevent infection. If an infection occurs, the catheter may have to be taken out. A new one will have to be put in at a later date.
PD Catheter Access: Placing the Catheter
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a treatment that can take over when your kidneys stop working. The peritoneum is the membrane lining the inside of the belly (abdomen). PD uses the lining of your abdomen as a filter for your blood. Before PD can be done, an opening into this lining (an access) must be made. The access for PD is a soft tube called a catheter placed into your abdomen.
Caring for Your Hemodialysis Access
It's important to care for your access to help it last. A problem such as an infection or a blood clot may make your access unusable. Follow these guidelines to help protect your access.
Creating a Hemodialysis Access
Before hemodialysis can be done, a way for blood to leave and return to your body (an access) is needed. A hemodialysis access is often made in your arm. The 2 main types of accesses are an arteriovenous fistula (AV fistula) and an arteriovenous graft (AV graft).
Caring for Your Central Vein Access
It’s important to care for your central venous access device correctly. Here's how.
Central Line (Central Venous Access Device)
A central line is often used instead of a standard I.V. line when you need treatment for longer than a week or so. The line can send medicine or nutrition right into your bloodstream.