Amino acid (AA) containing dialysis solutions for peritoneal dialysis (PD), often referred to in the US as intraperitoneal nutrition (IPN), was first conceptualized in the 1960’s. In the early 2000’s, a 1.1% AA containing dialysis solution was created for commercial use and during that time several research studies were conducted. People using PD are [...]
As we move into 2026 many people are getting ready to set goals for the new year. An estimated 20%-48% of people will set a goal related to physical activity, something along the lines of “exercise more” or “improve fitness.” This means your patients could be setting intentions to increase their exercise. Yet we [...]
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract can be the source of a lot of frustration and turmoil for people experiencing motility dysfunction, nausea, vomiting, and more. Unfortunately, solving the issues are not always straight forward and often require trial and error. It’s important to work with patients closely and help them maintain motivation as they go [...]
AI is transforming everything from medical imaging to patient communication, but what does that mean for clinicians today? Currently, it seems impossible to avoid artificial intelligence (AI); it dominates news stories, internet search engines, and it’s a hot topic at every healthcare conference I have attended in the past year. AI has the [...]
During Malnutrition Awareness Month dietitians and other healthcare providers have the opportunity to amplify the conversation around malnutrition and champion education on available tools and treatments for malnutrition management. However, in the setting of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) it may not be as easy or straightforward as we think. [...]
In the United States, the supplement industry makes roughly $60 billion per year, and it is estimated that there are more than 100,000 supplements available in the market today. All of which are not regulated by the FDA or any other governing body. With numbers like that, it can be hard for healthcare professionals [...]
The loss of kidney function is accompanied by numerous changes impacting health, nutrition, and quality of life. One significant challenge for people on dialysis is the loss of the ability to excrete fluid via the urine, resulting in fluid retention and associated complications. While fluid balance is itself an important goal for this population [...]
& People on dialysis often struggle with anemia. Their kidneys struggle to produce erythropoietin, which is responsible for stimulating red blood cell production. Furthermore, absolute and functional iron deficiency can develop due to poor diet, inflammation, and blood loss. That is why eating a well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet is important with an emphasis on getting the [...]
I am myself a kidney patient, as well as the Chief Medical Officer of Patient Care America. My original disease was type 1 diabetes, and unfortunately, the complications led to kidney failure. I have gone through two kidney transplants from living donors. In the first case, I was very lucky to recognize the signs, [...]
Do you ever feel like your dialysis patients ALWAYS have complaints about gastrointestinal (GI) issues? In my many years of caring for people on dialysis, I found these concerns to be common and frequently voiced by my patients. Given the number of things that can cause GI issues, it can be easy to focus [...]
