Dialysis without Fear : A Guide to Living Well on Dialysis for Patients and Their Families

Dialysis without Fear : A Guide to Living Well on Dialysis for Patients and Their Families
Author: Daniel Offer Professor of Psychiatry Northwestern University Medical School
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages: 274
Release: 2007-05-30
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0199724458

More than 400,000 people in the United States undergo kidney dialysis. If you or a member of your family are one of them, then the prospect of a regular appointment with a dialysis machine may seem like the end of life itself. But that reaction couldn't be more wrong. In Dialysis Without Fear, psychiatrist and dialysis patient Dr. Daniel Offer joins with his wife, Marjorie Kaiz Offer, and daughter, Susan Offer Szafir, to reveal how life can be lived--and lived well--on dialysis. Drawing on his long medical career and more than seven years of personal experience with dialysis, Dr. Offer dispels many misconceptions surrounding this treatment, explaining how you can adapt to the new diet, travel, work and continue to partake in life's joys and celebrations. But the fears and hardships can be quite real, and Dr. Offer brings his years as a psychiatrist to bear as he provides practical advice on how patients can overcome them. Walking through each step of dialysis, he explains different types of treatment, examines the pros and cons of a transplant, and discusses side effects. Since dialysis affects the entire family, Dr. Offer and his coauthors also provide realistic insights into how relatives can cope and thrive together, sharing the humor, courage, and triumphs of real families who have successfully faced the challenges of dialysis. The result is an inspiring, practical guide that will help you and your family learn to overcome the difficulties of dialysis, live without fear, and enjoy every day.

Living Well with Kidney Failure

Living Well with Kidney Failure
Author: Juliet Auer
Publisher: Class Publishing Ltd
Total Pages: 172
Release: 2005
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 9781859591123

This indispensable reference manual gives you, your family and friends the information you really need to know about managing your renal condition; covering every aspect of living with kidney disease - from diagnosis, drugs and treatment, to diet, relationships and sex.

Updates on Hemodialysis

Updates on Hemodialysis
Author: Ayman Karkar
Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
Total Pages: 211
Release: 2023-09-27
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1803565004

Hemodialysis (HD) is the commonest form of kidney replacement therapy worldwide with a prevalence rate close to 90%. Despite significant improvements in HD techniques and related devices and solutions, the cardiovascular and all-cause mortality of HD patients remains unacceptably elevated. More recently, there have been significant improvements in the creation and maintenance of vascular access as well as the knowledge of types, classification, and monitoring of uremic toxins and their relationship with inflammation, atherosclerosis and vascular classification, and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. More interesting is the innovation in dialysis membranes/dialyzers, which resulted in the creation of the medium cut-off membrane, which enables the safe, simple, and effective removal of middle- and large-sized uremic toxins. This type of HD treatment is called expanded hemodialysis (HDx) therapy, which so far has resulted in significant improvement in the quality of life of HD patients as well as reductions in hospitalization, medications, and non-fatal cardiovascular events. Updates on Hemodialysis discusses these innovations and how they can be used to improve daily practice and achieve the best possible medical outcomes in HD patients.

What You Must Know About Dialysis

What You Must Know About Dialysis
Author: Rich Snyder
Publisher: Square One Publishers, Inc.
Total Pages: 263
Release: 2013-03-14
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 0757053491

Dialysis can be a life-saving technique for the individual whose kidneys are unable to remove toxic waste and excess water from the blood. But over time, the process can become both physically debilitating and psychologically difficult. To address these issues, kidney specialist Dr. Rich Snyder has written a complete guide to dialysis. This book not only provides answers to common questions about the process, but also offers practical advice and strategies, as well as complementary options that can help you deal successfully with the many aspects of your treatment plan. The book begins with an introduction to dialysis—what it is, how it works, and what types are available. It then goes on to discuss the importance of blood tests, common medications and their complications, and associated disorders. Crucial information is included on natural supplements, lifestyle changes, nutrition, and effective coping tactics. For most people, dialysis is an unplanned and uncharted journey. In this book, Dr. Snyder lights the path ahead by combining compassion with rock-solid information that can make a real difference in your health.

Dialysis without Fear

Dialysis without Fear
Author: Daniel Offer
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 273
Release: 2007-06-28
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 0199885877

More than 400,000 people in the United States undergo kidney dialysis. If you or a member of your family are one of them, then the prospect of a regular appointment with a dialysis machine may seem like the end of life itself. But that reaction couldn't be more wrong. In Dialysis Without Fear, psychiatrist and dialysis patient Dr. Daniel Offer joins with his wife, Marjorie Kaiz Offer, and daughter, Susan Offer Szafir, to reveal how life can be lived--and lived well--on dialysis. Drawing on his long medical career and more than seven years of personal experience with dialysis, Dr. Offer dispels many misconceptions surrounding this treatment, explaining how you can adapt to the new diet, travel, work and continue to partake in life's joys and celebrations. But the fears and hardships can be quite real, and Dr. Offer brings his years as a psychiatrist to bear as he provides practical advice on how patients can overcome them. Walking through each step of dialysis, he explains different types of treatment, examines the pros and cons of a transplant, and discusses side effects. Since dialysis affects the entire family, Dr. Offer and his coauthors also provide realistic insights into how relatives can cope and thrive together, sharing the humor, courage, and triumphs of real families who have successfully faced the challenges of dialysis. The result is an inspiring, practical guide that will help you and your family learn to overcome the difficulties of dialysis, live without fear, and enjoy every day.

In Pursuit of a Better Quality Life

In Pursuit of a Better Quality Life
Author: Risa Simon
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Total Pages: 90
Release: 2017
Genre:
ISBN: 9781539731726

You're in need of a living kidney donor, but you're not sure how to go about the process. You've been told to share your story with family and friends-but striking up a conversation about your need for a kidney transplant (and search for a living kidney donor) is the most nerve-racking conversation you can imagine. Whether you're trying to avoid dialysis or be "free of the machine," this book can help get you there. In Pursuit of a Better Life provides communication principles, campaign strategies, template letters and old fashion relationship skills that can instantly create a desire to help. In this book, the author shares strategies taught in her motivational seminars and webinars, and with her mentoring and coaching clients. Living her best life possible as a preemptive (live-donor) kidney transplant recipient, the author invites her readers to proactively engage as their own best advocate and "join her at the top," where dreams do come true. Known as the quintessential marketing plan for finding living kidney donors, this book reveals strategies rarely discussed in your doctor's office or transplant center. Uncover this wildly successful path for attracting potential kidney donors today! ABOUT THE AUTHOR The highlight of Risa Simon's life was the day an unexpected, unrelated, living kidney donor offered to give her a kidney and tests revealed a sister-like match. That day didn't come easy-and it might never have if she wasn't willing to become a proactive contender, competing for her best life possible. Risa knows all too well what it's like to be a kidney patient trapped in a hopeless sinkhole headed towards dialysis. As she watched her renal function numbers decline, her emotions escalated. The thought of surrendering her sense of control over her future consumed her thoughts and immobilized her dreams. Unwittingly, she discovered a new paradigm after attending a kidney patient conference. The presentation she attended caused an awakening that compelled her to stand before her disease and use her voice to proactively secure her best choice - a transplant before dialysis. Today, Risa is living her best life ever as a preemptive (live-donor) transplant recipient. Her passion for helping others reflects in the names of her principal firms, The Proactive Path and the TransplantFirst Academy, a non-profit (501c3) organization leading the way to better outcomes. As an enthusiastic "positive-disruptor," she's dedicated her life to inspiring eligible kidney patients to bypass dialysis (or become dialysis-free) by proactively seeking live-donor transplant opportunities. Known for her trailblazing patient empowerment strategies, she invites her fans and followers to "join her at the top" - where dreams can come true.

Learn the Facts about Kidney Disease

Learn the Facts about Kidney Disease
Author: Steven Rosansky
Publisher: Steven Jay Rosansky
Total Pages: 254
Release: 2020-03-04
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 9780990986591

This book written for the average reader, offers useful information for patients with very mild CKD to those patients who need to plan for dialysis or kidney transplant. It offers scientifically proven ways to slow progression of CKD, including a chapter on a Smart Diet for all CKD patients. This diet not only can slow CKD progression but can also help patients to live longer and better. It offers the best treatments for the medical problems that can come with a diagnosis of CKD. For most patients this book will alleviate concerns about having CKD and for some patients with advanced CKD it offers an approach that can delay the start of dialysis for many months or even years in some cases. It explains why low and very low protein diets, promoted by many kidney books for patients, is usually not beneficial and may even be harmful. It provides the latest recommendations for treatment of CKD that comes from international kidney doctor organizations. The book is organized in a way that provides information for all patients with CKD in the first part of the book and has information in later chapters for patients whose CKD has progressed. For those patients who want to get the "meat" of the book, the final chapter provides a summary of all the book's material. Some patients may want to start here and read the full chapters at their leisure. The book is referenced with current kidney disease publications. It explains situations where kidney disease is reversible and ways to prevent reversible declines in kidney function. It dispels many myths about CKD treatment that have no benefit and, in some cases, may be dangerous. For patients who are wondering about whether dialysis is in their future, the book offers several ways to predict if dialysis is very likely or very unlikely in a CKD patient's future. It lays out pros and cons of the various options for patients who are considering a kidney transplant or dialysis and explains why getting a kidney transplant before dialysis is ever started or choosing home peritoneal dialysis are the two best options for most CKD patients who require a kidney replacement therapy.

Rethinking Aging

Rethinking Aging
Author: Nortin M. Hadler, M.D.
Publisher: Univ of North Carolina Press
Total Pages: 273
Release: 2011-09-12
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 0807869236

For those fortunate enough to reside in the developed world, death before reaching a ripe old age is a tragedy, not a fact of life. Although aging and dying are not diseases, older Americans are subject to the most egregious marketing in the name of "successful aging" and "long life," as if both are commodities. In Rethinking Aging, Nortin M. Hadler examines health-care choices offered to aging Americans and argues that too often the choices serve to profit the provider rather than benefit the recipient, leading to the medicalization of everyday ailments and blatant overtreatment. Rethinking Aging forewarns and arms readers with evidence-based insights that facilitate health-promoting decision making. Over the past decades, Hadler has established himself as a leading voice among those who approach the menu of health-care choices with informed skepticism. Only the rigorous demonstration of efficacy is adequate reassurance of a treatment's value, he argues; if it cannot be shown that a particular treatment will benefit the patient, one should proceed with caution. In Rethinking Aging, Hadler offers a doctor's perspective on the medical literature as well as his long clinical experience to help readers assess their health-care options and make informed medical choices in the last decades of life. The challenges of aging and dying, he eloquently assures us, can be faced with sophistication, confidence, and grace.

My New Kidney & Me

My New Kidney & Me
Author: Greg Baldauf
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2020-03-03
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 9781643439822

In December 2010, one phone message changed everything for Greg Baldauf. After thirty-five years of living with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), he learned that his kidneys were in renal failure and he would need a transplant to survive. My New Kidney & Me tells his story: the long search for a donor, the anxious lead-up to transplant surgery, the sometimes-disorienting recovery process, and the gratitude and joy that came after. Baldauf's words will be illuminating for anyone going through this situation, describing the physical, psychological, and emotional struggles that can come when facing a failure of the body. My New Kidney & Me brings the mysteries of transplant surgery out of the dark and hope into the light.