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While the news that you or someone you love has kidney disease can be shocking, for over 26 million Americans, it is a reality. After the initial diagnosis, patients and families usually have a myriad of questions about treatment options. What You Must Know About Kidney Disease is designed not only to answer all your questions, but also to provide the up-to-date information you need to evaluate and choose both conventional treatments and complementary therapies.

The book is divided into three parts. Part One provides an overview of the kidneys’ structure and function and discusses common kidney disorders. It also guides you in asking your doctor questions that will help you better understand both the status of your health and your prognosis. Part Two examines kidney problems and their conventional treatments. Part Three presents an in-depth look at the most effective complementary treatments available, from simple lifestyle changes to acupuncture, nutritional and herbal supplementation, osteopathic manipulation, and more.

There is so much you can do to affect both your kidney health and your overall well-being in a positive way. What You Must Know About Kidney Disease provides you with the knowledge you need to be a wise participant in your own health care.

Rich Snyder, DO, holds a medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Abington Memorial Hospital and his Nephrology Fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Nephrology. Dr. Synder is a contributing member of the American Osteopathic Association, the American College of Osteopathic Internists, the Renal Physicians Association, and several other medical organizations. He has authored and coauthored numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and is the best-selling author of What You Must Know About Kidney Disease and What You Must Know About Dialysis. In addition to being a popular speaker, Dr. Snyder has appeared on numerous radio and televisions shows throughout North America. He can be heard weekly on Improve Your Kidney Health, a radio show on the Voice America Health and Wellness channel dedicated to improving kidney health and fighting kidney disease. Currently, Dr. Snyder maintains a full-time clinical nephrology practice in Easton, Pennsylvania.

Dedication,

Acknowledgments,

A Word about Gender,

Introduction,

Part One. An Introduction to Kidney Disease

                1. An Overview of Kidney Function and How It Is Evaluated,

                2. Setting the Stage of Kidney Disease--Where Do You Stand?

                3. Interacting with Health Care Professionals,

Part Two. Inflammation, Causes of Kidney Disease, and Standard Treatments

                4. The Inflammatory Response, Oxidative Stress, and the Kidneys,

                5. Common Causes of Kidney Disease,

                6. Other Conditions that Can Affect the Kidneys,

                7. Medications, Imaging Studies, and Interventions,

                8. Complications of Chronic Kidney Disease and Standard Treatment Approaches,

Part Three. Alternative and Complementary Treatment Approaches and Lifestyle Changes

                9. Lifestyle Changes Everyone Can Make,

                10. The Importance of Eating Right,

                11. Vitamins, Minerals, and Other Nutritional Supplements,

                12. Herbs and Complementary Therapies,

                13. The Spiritual and Emotional Components of Healing,

Conclusion,

Glossary,

Resources,

References,

The fear, anxiety, and disbelief induced by hearing that you have kidney disease can be overwhelming. After the initial shock, however, you begin searching for vital information: What is kidney disease? What are its silent signs and symptoms? And how can it best be treated? Deciding on the best options for treatment includes understanding both standard medical therapy and alternative treatments. Armed with that information, better treatment choices for yourself and/or your loved one can be made.

What You Must Know about Kidney Disease will empower you by providing you with necessary information so that you, with your doctor, can make the best treatment decisions possible. As you read this book, you will learn many things you can do to positively impact your kidney health and overall well-being--from dietary changes to lifestyle modification. Gaining insight into your kidney health will enable you to ask your doctor relevant questions pertaining to your treatment plan, in order to learn what works best for you.

This book is structured to give you a holistic view of the treatment of kidney disease. In addition to standard medical therapy, you will read about complementary and alternative approaches to give you a truly informed perspective. Part One of this book covers the basics: where the kidneys are, what they do, and the important role they play in maintaining your overall health. In addition to being your body’s filters, they are also important in the preservation of your blood, bone, and heart health. You’ll discover what is meant by kidney disease, as well as the various stages doctors use to define it. You’ll read about ways to maximize an office visit with your kidney doctor and other health care providers. And finally, your health care team and your role as captain of that team will be explored in detail.

In Part Two, you’ll discover that kidney disease is a state of inflammation that can affect other organs of the body, specifically the heart. In addition, you’ll also learn about management and treatment of other common diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes that affect kidney function. Part Two also reviews other causes of kidney disease including obesity, atherosclerosis, and polycystic kidney disease, as well as provides a detailed discussion of an important group of conditions that are called the high-level inflammatory syndromes. You’ll learn about the potential dangers of commonly ordered imaging tests, such as MRI and CT scans, and invasive procedures, such as the cardiac catheterization.

In Part Three, we’ll examine lifestyle modifications that everyone, regardless of their stage of kidney disease, can make to improve their kidney function and their lives. You will understand the role that nutrition plays and its relationship to kidney health, as well as the role of vitamin and herbal supplementation. Kidney cleansing will be discussed, as well as the many benefits of complementary therapies, including osteopathic manipulation (osteopathy), homeopathy, and acupuncture. Lastly, the all-important emotional and spiritual component of healing will be examined. The role of a strong belief system and family support cannot be emphasized enough in the healing process.

Your kidney health is important and you need to be a major participant in your own health care. Members of your health care team should include your kidney doctor, your primary care doctor, and other health care providers to achieve the best outcome. The information contained in this book will allay your fears and arm you with the knowledge you need, so let’s begin!