Tag: fresenius (Page 21 of 49)

As I have discussed several times recently, our son is recovering from a quadruple heart bypass surgery. He is still doing well BTW. We took him out Saturday for a Mexican lunch, which he greatly enjoyed. Before his bypass surgery, while knowing that his glucose was running high, he ate pretty much as in the past. While in the hospital he was put on insulin and now is taking both short-term insulin before meals and long-term insulin (Lantus) before bed. Another aspect that I know he has to work on is limiting his salt intake. I have witnessed excessive use of salt in meals being prepared for him. This leads to today’s blog as applies to me, Salt Intake, Diabetes and Dialysis.

Poe, my go-to AI has a special bot named Doctor Sage (beta) which I used to quiz it about the subject. This is what it had to say about the subject:

DoctorSageBeta

Operated by

@elmoo

DoctorSageBeta

Poe

This is the new version of DoctorSage! Try both and see which one you prefer!

Prompt: Write a 500-word or less blog about the dangers of too much salt in the diet of an individual who is both a diabetic and on peritoneal dialysis at an engaging level.

DoctorSageBeta

Poe

Here is a 418-word blog post on the dangers of too much salt in the diet for an individual who is both diabetic and on peritoneal dialysis:

The Dangers of Salt for Those With Diabetes and on Dialysis

For those managing both diabetes and kidney failure requiring peritoneal dialysis, watching your salt intake is incredibly important. Both conditions put extra stress on the body and high salt consumption can severely impact your health. Let’s explore why limiting salt is a must in this situation.

People with diabetes often experience higher blood pressure as high blood sugar damages blood vessels over time. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, puts further strain on the kidneys as they work to filter waste from the blood. For those already receiving peritoneal dialysis for kidney failure, extra pressure can decrease renal function even more. Dialysis aims to replace some of the work of damaged kidneys, but excess salt hinders its effectiveness.

When you consume salt, your body retains water to dilute the sodium in your bloodstream. This leads to fluid buildup that dialysis may not fully remove. Fluid overload, also called hypervolemia, causes symptoms like swelling, shortness of breath, and increased blood pressure. For peritoneal dialysis that works by using the peritoneal membrane in the abdomen, too much residual fluid can damage this delicate tissue over time.

Not only that but a high salt diet has been shown to increase risks of cardiovascular disease like heart attacks and strokes. People with diabetes already face twice the risk of heart disease compared to the general population. Extra sodium worsens this risk, so limiting intake is preventative medicine. Maintaining healthy blood pressure and avoiding further kidney decline are also critical aspects of management.

Most health organizations recommend no more than 2,300mg of sodium daily. But for those with complex conditions, reducing intake to 1,500mg or lower is best. Be wary of added salt in prepared foods and condiments and opt for fresh alternatives when possible. Reading nutrition labels can also help you make lower sodium choices. Speaking to your doctor and dietitian will help you devise an individualized plan.

With a few adjustments, you can protect your health and better control your diabetes and kidney disease. Small diet changes go a long way, so don’t underestimate the power of limiting salt. Your kidneys and overall well-being will thank you!

Many people following the latest in health fads scorn highly processed foods. I have found that foods such as lunch meat are very high in sodium, as are prepared soups etc. As such I have severely restricted my intake of them. Andrew Gregory’s recent article in The Guardian (link) titled “Ultra-processed food linked to 32 harmful effects to health, review finds” lends even more credence to those of us who are diabetic and on peritoneal dialysis to curb intake of ultra-processed foods. I ran his article through Poe with instructions to reduce the article to 500 words or less in bullet format with the following summary results for your edification:

Blog Entry: The Dangers of Ultra-Processed Food

Introduction:

Ultra-processed food (UPF) is linked to numerous harmful health effects.
The world’s largest review of its kind reveals the risks associated with UPF consumption. UPF consumption is on the rise globally, with the UK and US having a significant proportion of UPF in their diets.
Key Findings:

-The review involved experts from leading institutions, who found direct associations between UPF and 32 health parameters.
-Adverse health outcomes include a higher risk of heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, adverse mental health, and early death.
-Measures to target and reduce exposure to UPF are necessary to improve human health.
Understanding Ultra-Processed Foods:

-UPF includes products such as cereals, protein bars, fizzy drinks, ready meals, and fast food.
-These foods undergo multiple industrial processes and contain additives, colors, emulsifiers, and flavors.
-They are typically high in added sugar, fat, and/or salt but low in vitamins and fiber.
Research Methodology:

-The umbrella review analyzed 45 distinct pooled meta-analyses involving almost 10 million people.
-UPF exposure was measured through food frequency questionnaires, dietary recalls, and dietary history.
-The evidence was graded based on its strength and quality, revealing consistent associations between UPF and adverse health outcomes.
Health Risks Associated with UPF:

-Higher UPF intake was linked to a 50% increased risk of cardiovascular disease-related death.
-It was also associated with a higher risk of anxiety, common mental disorders, type 2 diabetes, obesity, sleep problems, and depression.
-Associations were found with asthma, gastrointestinal health, certain cancers, and cardiometabolic risk factors.
Limitations and Caution:

-The study acknowledges limitations, such as unmeasured factors and variations in assessing UPF intake.
-Experts caution that the research included in the review was weak and the findings do not prove cause and effect.
Conclusion:

The review provides compelling evidence of the harmful effects of UPF consumption on health. The study highlights the need for public health measures to reduce dietary exposure to UPF. Calls are made for a framework convention on ultra-processed foods, similar to the framework on tobacco.

In a separate study, it was suggested that calorie labeling in food establishments could prevent thousands of heart disease-related deaths in England.
Overall, these findings emphasize the importance of making informed dietary choices and reducing reliance on ultra-processed food for the sake of our health and well-being.

Several days ago I commented that our son, who recently underwent quadruple bypass (he is doing great BTW), displayed a high degree of anxiety over small stimuli during the procedure. I speculated that PD patients were also prone to such behavior. This blog aims to provide the reader with what researchers have found.

Within the AI engine I often use, Poe, there is a specific bot named DoctorSage. I used this bot with the following Prompt and results to ascertain what research has uncovered regarding PD and Anxiety:

Prompt: A patient who is on peritoneal dialysis may experience anxiety. What has research shown in this area?

Research has shown that patients on peritoneal dialysis may experience anxiety due to various factors. Here are some key findings from studies conducted in this area:

1. Prevalence of anxiety: Several studies have reported a high prevalence of anxiety among patients on peritoneal dialysis. The exact rates vary across different studies, but it is generally higher compared to the general population. This suggests that peritoneal dialysis patients are at a higher risk of experiencing anxiety.
2. Factors contributing to anxiety: Several factors have been identified as potential contributors to anxiety in peritoneal dialysis patients. These include:

• Fear of complications or treatment-related problems
• Uncertainty about the future and long-term outcomes of peritoneal dialysis
• Fear of dependency on dialysis and its impact on daily life
• The financial burden associated with treatment
• Social isolation and limited support network
• Concerns about body image changes and self-esteem issues

1. Impact on quality of life: Anxiety can significantly affect the quality of life of peritoneal dialysis patients. It may lead to increased psychological distress, reduced treatment adherence, and poorer overall well-being. Addressing anxiety in these patients is, therefore, crucial for improving their quality of life.
2. Relationship with depression: Anxiety and depression often coexist in peritoneal dialysis patients. Studies have found a high comorbidity between these two conditions. It is important to recognize and manage both anxiety and depression simultaneously to provide comprehensive care to these patients.
3. Interventions and management: Various interventions have been explored to address anxiety in peritoneal dialysis patients. These include:

• Psychological interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and relaxation techniques
• Education and counseling to address concerns and provide support
• Peer support programs and support groups to reduce social isolation
• Pharmacological interventions, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), in severe cases

In summary, research indicates that anxiety is prevalent among peritoneal dialysis patients and can significantly impact their quality of life. Understanding the contributing factors and implementing appropriate interventions are essential for addressing anxiety in this patient population.

Our son is still in ICU recovering from his recent quadruple heart bypass. Most of the associated tubes have been removed and he is urinating on his own now; catheters have been removed. He still has to do the big BM soon but hopefully, nature will take its course. If things go as suggested by hospital staff, he should be moved to a regular care hospital room tomorrow from ICU, and possibly be released Tuesday or Wednesday.

Our son has exhibited a side I did not know he had/has. He seems anxious over the least little perturbation like his BP going up a couple of points or one of the many machines he is hooked up to beeping. Recall that he has an ICU nurse devoted full time to his care and feeding so it’s not like he is winging it all alone. I guess stress can do things to our minds and bodies that bring out another side of our personality.

Since dialysis has been known to be somewhat stressful, it would be interesting to know how dialysis patients manifest their response to stress?