In chronic disease we talk a lot about inflammation. A prolonged state of inflammation, which is observed in chronic illnesses, leads to increased cellular damage and oxidative stress. Sometimes we forget this damage can extend to all parts of the body, including our brains. Under healthy circumstances, inflammation is a good thing, responsible for clearing [...]
Dietitians - seasoned practitioners, new grads, and those that fall somewhere in between – face ethical dilemmas on a regular basis. Navigating the area of ethics can be difficult as the situations they face are not always black and white. A clear-cut ethical dilemma, like whether to administer someone dialysis or provide important dietary recommendations [...]
Magnesium is a mineral the human body uses in more than 300 enzymatic processes including those that support deep, restful sleep. It is abundant in many foods we consider healthy – nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains, spinach, etc. – and yet many Americans miss the mark on meeting their magnesium needs. The Recommended Dietary Allowance [...]
Fluid overload (FO) is a prevalent issue among people with end-stage renal disease on dialysis. There are many consequences related to fluid overload, ultimately leading to increased hospitalization, mortality risk, and poor quality of life. Historically, fluid status has been evaluated in isolation, however, as the study below authors propose, it may be more [...]
Patient Care America is proud to announce it has been awarded South Florida’s Top Workplaces for 2021 by the Sun Sentinel for the fourth consecutive year! Through an anonymous survey our employees were able to provide feedback regarding our work place culture including coaching, leadership and performance among other criteria. This year the Sun Sentinel [...]
In the world of kidney disease, Vitamins B3 and K are often overlooked, but these two nutrients may be useful in the fight against Chronic Kidney Disease Mineral Bone Disorders (CKD-MBD). Niacinamide, a form of Vitamin B3, has phosphorous binding abilities that benefit patients with CKD and ESRD. Researched in doses of 25mg-1500mg per [...]
Intradialytic parenteral nutrition (IDPN) is a non-invasive infusion of amino acids, dextrose, and sometimes lipids given to hemodialysis patients. It is designed specifically to boost patient’s nutrition without increasing patient burden by using the dialysis access site during the patient’s regular dialysis session. The goal of IDPN is to [...]
In the past few decades, meditation has made its way into cultures all over the world. This ancient tradition, once only tied to different religious teachings, is now prescribed by physicians and practiced by many business professionals, scientists, athlete’s, politicians, military personnel and even students. Stemming from the Latin [...]
In the dietitian nutrition world, we recognize that all macro and micronutrients are important for health. Yet protein tends to steal the spotlight, demanding attention in the media, in research, and in clinical nutrition counseling. It’s easy to understand protein’s popularity given every cell in our body needs it for structure and function. Body [...]
Behavior is impacted by 3 things – Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation. For End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients on dialysis, we often focus on patient Motivation – the mental process that energizes and directs behavior - to help them take more responsibility for their own health outcomes. It’s important to acknowledge that there are [...]
