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 heal...
May 13, 2025•23 min•Season 24Ep. 3
This episode of Let's Talk About Kidneys, Dr. Saim, a nephrologist with Dallas Nephrology Associates, discusses what is new in kidney transplant. The podcast discusses advancements in kidney transplantation, focusing on the benefits and risks of living and deceased donor transplant. Dr. Saim highlights that over 25,000 transplants were performed last year, with nearly 7,000 from living donors. Living donor transplants offer better survival rates and shorter waiting time. The waiting list has nea...
Apr 03, 2025•20 min•Season 24Ep. 2
Let's Talk About Kidneys Dialysis Patients and Their Diet In this episode of Let's Talk About Kidneys, Dr. Rao, a nephrologist at Dallas Nephrology Associates, discusses the importance of diet for all dialysis patients. She emphasizes the need for dietary modifications even before dialysis, focusing on reducing salt intake, managing potassium and phosphorus levels, and maintaining adequate protein consumption. Introduction Dr. Rao shares her background, mentioning that she joined Dallas Nephrolo...
Mar 15, 2025•35 min•Season 24Ep. 1
In this episode of the Let's Talk About Kidneys podcast, Dr. Roberto Collazo addresses the development of new treatments for kidney disease that are essential for slowing disease progression, improving patient outcomes, and preventing kidney failure. Throughout his discussion, he will examine various therapeutic options currently available, as well as those expected in the future. What types of treatments have there been in the past for patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)? Dr. Collazo add...
Aug 14, 2024•16 min•Season 3Ep. 20
In this episode of the Let's Talk About Kidneys podcast, Dallas Nephrology Associates Dietitian, Nadiya Lakhani, RDN, CSR, LD, FNKF, explains why weight management is important to the general population and how it affects the kidneys. How does weight affect the kidneys? When the body carries more weight than it can handle, it increases the demand on the kidneys to hyper filtrate. In other words, it forces your kidneys to work harder, which will eventually cause them to be overworked. On the flip...
Oct 17, 2023•21 min•Season 2Ep. 19
In this episode of the Let's Talk About Kidneys podcast, Dr. Muhammad Qureshi talks about the benefits of a kidney transplant, why it's a good choice after kidney failure, and what the process looks like before, during and after. Why should a CKD patient consider a kidney transplant? Dr. Qureshi talks about the fact that there are both mortality and morbidity benefits of a kidney transplant. In other words, not only do you live longer, but you live better. Who qualifies for a kidney transplant? ...
Sep 20, 2023•27 min•Season 2Ep. 18
In this episode of the Let's Talk About Kidneys podcast, Dr. Lauren McDonald talks about the types of dialysis that can be done successfully in your own home including home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. She puts extra emphasis on the fact that choosing the right dialysis modality is a very personal choice and should be made based on a patient's lifestyle and what is most important to them. Overview of Home Hemodialysis Home hemodialysis is done in the home. Currently, the dialysis machin...
Aug 15, 2023•24 min•Season 2Ep. 17
In this episode of the Let's Talk About Kidneys podcast, Dr. Richey talks about the different types of dialysis and provides an overview to help patients and caregivers to understand what is involved and how to decide which modality is right for each patient. When is dialysis necessary? Dialysis is recommended when a patient's kidneys can no longer safely support them. This is determined based on several factors: Creatinine levels Potassium levels Fluid overload Dr. Richey also mentions that doc...
Jul 18, 2023•20 min•Season 2Ep. 16
No day is ever the same for a nephrologist. Dallas Nephrology Associates' Dr. Paul Skluzacek may see his kidney patients in the office, have hospital rounds, dialysis rounds and much more. In this episode of Let's Talk About Kidneys, learn about Dr. Skluzacek's busy days providing patient care and how his schedule changes from one day to another. What is a Nephrologist? Nephrologists are kidney doctors. They have special training that includes completion of medical school followed by a residency...
Jun 20, 2023•20 min•Season 2Ep. 15
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 ...
May 16, 2023•24 min•Season 2Ep. 14
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...
Apr 18, 2023•20 min•Season 2Ep. 13
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 ...
Mar 21, 2023•17 min•Season 2Ep. 12
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...
Feb 21, 2023•15 min•Season 2Ep. 11
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 co...
Jan 24, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 10
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 ...
Dec 20, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 9
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, a...
Nov 29, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 8
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 ...
Oct 25, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Take a behind-the-scenes look into the world of DNA with real examples of our values in daily life. In this episode, transplant-recipient Tiffany Archibald talks about her exceptional journey, life post-transplant, and how she's maintained a healthy lifestyle. Holistic Healing After Transplant After her first transplant, Tiffany began to look at her health more holistically. Transplant recipients are usually referred to a renal dietitian to help them design a diet that's healthy and achievable p...
Sep 27, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Take a behind-the-scenes look into the world of DNA with real examples of our values in daily life. Then, Dr. Cindy Corpier and her patient and colleague, Tiffany, talk about the patient aspect of kidney disease and how to successfully manage diet, medication, and daily care when dealing with kidney disease and transplant. What to Know About Kidney Transplant Surgery The patient may go home on day four or five after surgery in routine transplant surgery. Then, the patient is put on a post-transp...
Aug 23, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Take a behind-the-scenes look into the world of DNA with real examples of our values in daily life. Dr. Cindy Corpier shares the basics of kidney care, early detection and preventative actions for a kidney transplant, and how to develop a care plan with a healthcare team. What to Know About Kidney Failure Kidney failure can often happen without any symptoms, which is why Dr. Corpier supports screening events, such as ones sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation. Usually, a patient is referre...
Jul 25, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Take a behind-the-scenes look into the world of DNA with real examples of our values in daily life. In this episode, clinical dietitians Carolyn Cochran and Nadiya Lakhani explain medical nutrition therapy: what it is, why it's essential for patients with CKD, and its role in comprehensive patient care. What is Medical Nutrition Therapy? Medical nutrition therapy is an evidence-based practice involving assessing a patient, evaluation of nutritional diagnostics, and intervention. Lakhani explains...
Jun 28, 2022•17 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Take a behind-the-scenes look into the world of DNA with real examples of our values in daily life. In this episode, Dr. Ruben Velez reflects on DNA's growth and what it means to provide 50 years of kidney care and health. How Has Healthcare and DNA Changed? Dr. Velez has been with DNA for 38 years. DNA was founded in a different era of healthcare, in 1971, just before dialysis was approved by Congress in 1972. Dr. Velez describes the growth as impressive, having seen DNA be involved locally, st...
May 24, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Take a behind-the-scenes look into the world of DNA with real examples of our values in daily life. Listen in as Senior Program Manager of the DNA Supportive Care Team. Mary Beth Callahan offers her insight into how patients and their families might manage life with chronic disease and explore care options. WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE SUPPORTIVE CARE TEAM? A lot can be going through a patient's mind with chronic illness. The Supportive Care Team works to understand the patient's priorities, reliably...
Apr 25, 2022•30 min•Season 1Ep. 1
