Why This Initiative is Important to Spencer 

“Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects one-quarter to one-third of adults with diabetes in the USA. Patients with CKD and type 2 diabetes have an elevated risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease and can eventually progress to end-stage kidney disease,” according to a 2025 article in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care. Studies show that risk is higher for the Black community, which has a higher rate of diabetes and high blood pressure as well. 

This makes the initiative personal to Spencer. “I’m a part of this health mission because I suffer from type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure that I control,” she says. “And because type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure and heart disease are quite prevalent in the Black community, as a Black woman, I felt compelled to become a part of this collective, to educate people.” 

Why We Should Consider uACR Testing 

This testing can help you identify serious health issues long before they begin to slow down your lifestyle. Spencer will appear alongside Modern Family star Sofia Vergara, whose mother has high blood pressure, in their upcoming commercial that will play during Sunday’s big game (aka The Super Bowl). With a play on action movies, its engaging tone will encourage viewers to get serious about their health by accessing the information uACR can offer.  

She described the ways that your kidneys can send out invisible distress signals.  “If you suffer from diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. Your body could be sending out a silent SOS through your kidneys, and there is an easy way to detect that,” Spencer continued. “It’s important for all of us to know our numbers.”  

The Journal of the American Society of Nephrology recommends the critical need to increase uACR screening rates in at-risk patients. 

The Busyness of Life Can Distract Us from Our Health 

Whether you’re focused on status reports at work, sports games or family activities, it can be easy to sideline doctor’s visits when there are no visible issues.  

Spencer admitted to putting her health on the back burner, something many people do until they are unable to ignore it. “I’m a regular woman, and like regular people, a lot of the times, we don’t go to the doctor until we feel ill,” she says. “Being a part of this mission has made me realize that I don’t want to wait until I feel sick, because then sometimes it can be too late to turn things around. So now, I’m being more proactive.”  

How Her Work and Greater Mission Align 

Spencer offers her support to marginalized communities at her day job as well. She is preparing for the February 25 return of Lost Women of Alaska, the fourth installment of the Lost Women franchise, highlighting true crime stories. The series highlights who can be at a higher risk of facing harm at the hands of another.  

She shared why the premise of the show connects to her heart, as someone who could have easily been in a different place in life. Spencer was headed for law school before choosing the creative path after the loss of her mother. She might have been banging a gavel instead of walking red carpets.  

“Women, the elderly, children are our most vulnerable, and this season of Lost Women takes place in Alaska, where Indigenous women are preyed upon,” she says. Black women, like indigenous women, are at a higher risk of being murdered.  

“It’s important for me because my trajectory in life changed,” she says. “So this is a way for me to satiate the need for justice.” The series aims to highlight “people whose voices have been stolen” and “to raise awareness for women who might find themselves in compromising positions to always be aware of their surroundings and who they associate with.”  

Spencer is Prioritizing Her Health & A Balanced Life 

When she is not reminding people to learn about their bodies and be mindful of predators, she’s connecting with her loved ones. “I have learned that spending time with family and friends is just as important as getting up and exercising and eating healthy. These days, we are all on our devices and not necessarily interacting with our loved ones,” she continues. “They say, laughter is the best medicine. I don’t know that it’s the best medicine, but I know that it is good medicine.”  

That doesn’t mean she’s not focused on the medicine of movement. After twenty years of living with diabetes, she knows the importance of keeping up with her pilates.  “I’m 55, and I want to enter that phase of my life stronger,” she says. “The best way to do that, I think, is to be as preventative as possible.”  

Part of that prevention is knowing her numbers and continuing to focus on what she wants from the next phase of her life.   

“People say age gracefully; I just want to be strong.” 

Resources 

Detect the SOS 

BJM Open Diabetes & Care 

Journal of the American Society of Nephrology 

Trauma Violence & Abuse 

The post Octavia Spencer Wants Us To “Detect The SOS” From Our Kidneys appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Dr. Stacy Johnson 

Nephrologist  

Clinical Development Director 

Vertex 

Alonzo Mourning 

Disease Advocate  

Vertex 

Kidney diseases can show up anywhere, including NBA locker rooms. Athletic legend and disease advocate Alonzo Mourning shared his experience discovering and cheating with APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease at the Black Health Matters 2025 Health Summit & Expo.  

He was joined by Black Health Matters Founder Roslyn Daniels and Dr. Stacy Johnson, Nephrologist, Clinical Development Director at Vertex.  

Johnson highlighted the deep racial disparities in the diagnosis of kidney diseases. “Although African-Americans make up about 14% of the US population, they represent about 30% of the cases of kidney failure,” she said. The research has deepened into the genetic components of kidney disease in recent years.  

“We have known for a long time that African-Americans have a higher chance of developing kidney disease, ending up on dialysis, or needing a kidney transplant. And it wasn’t until about 2010 when scientists were able to actually identify that there is a genetic cause,” Johnson continued.  

A 2025 review of the Journal of Kidney Medicine reports that “6 million African Americans have a high-risk genotype,” which puts them at risk of kidney disease.  

Johnson clarified that this risk can persist despite adopting doctor recommendations. “I think a lot of times before that people thought oh maybe your kidney disease isn’t getting better because your blood pressure isn’t under control, because you’re just not doing the right things,” she said. “But what we know is that no, there’s nothing that someone is doing wrong. You could do everything that you need to do to take care of your health, and sometimes the kidney disease continues to progress. But having that knowledge means now we can put a name to it. When you can name something, then you can start to deal.”  

“The United States doesn’t really believe in investing in preventative care for its citizens,” said Daniels. “We bear this burden of disease; it’s not our fault.”  

“We’re not getting the care that we deserve along the way, and by the time we’re diagnosed, it’s advanced,” Daniels added. “There’s no stigma here. There’s no pointing fingers.”  

Heart disease is dubbed “the silent killer,” but kidney disease is just as sneaky. Its ability to be confused for other issues makes it extremely dangerous. That casual discomfort you’re dealing with might be a symptom of it creeping into your life undetected.  

“The CDC estimates maybe one out of nine US Americans has kidney disease, and most of them don’t know it,” said Johnson.  

“So that means there are a lot of there are like hundreds of thousands if not millions of people walking around with that are they’re losing kidney function slowly and steadily. Often, they may not have any symptoms. Sometimes they may have pretty mild symptoms like a little bit of fatigue. Maybe they might see some swelling in their feet that comes and goes, maybe they might see foamy urine, and they think, ‘Oh, I wonder if that means anything.’ But then they don’t, you know? No one follows up.”  

That lack of follow-up has severe consequences for many people. Their lives and schedules change. “Unfortunately, by the time it gets to the more advanced stages often people are basically headed towards either needing dialysis or a kidney transplant,” said Johnson.  

Mourning was fresh off the heels of an Olympic win at a point in his life where symptoms of kidney issues became unignorable. His victory lap was cut short.  

“I had just witnessed the birth of my daughter,” he said. “I was defensive player of the year. I had just finished winning the gold medal. I mean, I was at the the top of the world,” he said.  

Mourning noticed a few symptoms, but they did not jump out at him right away. “I was just tired. I had a lot of lethargy,” he said. “My legs were swelling a little bit and initially I kind of attributed it to the intense physical training and the travel and flying over to Sydney, Australia.”  

He was referred to a nephrologist, a medical doctor specializing in the health of the kidneys. “At that time when I was 30 years old I didn’t know what a nephrologist was,” he added. “They diagnosed me with FSGS, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. It’s a disease that slowly scars the filters in the kidney, and I had the aggressive form.”  

The first opinion was quite drastic. The doctor predicted that Mourning would be on dialysis and the transplant list within 365 days. Evaluations of kidney disease can be subjective. In some cases, it is wise to consult another voice.  

Mourning refused to accept the course of treatment without seeking a second opinion.  

“I was able to find another doctor. And that doctor took a different approach. He said, “Look, let’s try to slow the progression of the disease down with some medication, oral medication,” he said.  

They participated in shared decision making (SDM), a practice advocated for in a 2023 article from the Clinical Kidney Journal. This shifts away from a paternalistic viewpoint and empowers the patient.  

The less aggressive strategy worked out. “I was never on dialysis, and I didn’t need a transplant until three years later.” 

Mourning participated in clinical research to further efforts to gain knowledge about his condition. “My nephrologist informed me about a research study that was designed to better understand the type of kidney disease that I had, and after discussing all of this with him, I had to trust that he was doing the right thing for me,” he said. Genetic testing and other studies can greatly benefit the outcomes of patients. He suggested that attendees talk with their family members to find out if they have been impacted by kidney disease in the past, so that they can share that information with their doctors.  

“We’ve got to know our family history. We’ve got to have dialogue,” Mourning added. 

Daniels explained how coming together as a community can spark dialogue. “You all are the beginning. You’re laying the foundation,” she told attendees. “You all will share with your friends and family the importance of the knowledge shared here.”  

Johnson pointed out the importance of proactivity in healthcare. “I think this conversation is really important,” added Johnson. “We may see some of these symptoms and hope that things are going to change, but hope is not a strategy. We need to ask questions and have these things checked out.”  

Mourning advised the room to learn from his mishaps. “Don’t ignore the signs and the 

symptoms, okay? Don’t just brush it off, okay? That was something that I did.”  

The post A Conversation About APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD)  appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Misdiagnoses Happen

At the 2025 NephCure Health Equity Conference, one mother explained what it was like when her son was misdiagnosed at age four. “He had swelling in his eyes, his stomach. He couldn’t open his eyes,” she said. “They gave him all these allergy tests, but we knew it was something different, so we went back.”

This time, the parents saw their son’s pediatrician, and she knew it was nephrotic syndrome. “My husband and I are looking her saying, ‘What is nephrotic syndrome?’ getting ready to look it up on our phones. She said, ‘Put your phones away. We need to get your son under the care of a pediatric nephrologist right away.”

When Are Children Diagnosed?

According to the National Kidney Foundation, children are often diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome between the ages of two and nine. “Swelling in the legs, abdomen, and around the eyes is usually the first sign of nephrotic syndrome in children. Swelling around the eyes may be confused with allergies. However, urine tests that show large amounts of protein usually point to nephrotic syndrome.”

FSGS is the second most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children. FSGS most often occurs in older children and adolescents.

What Kind of Pediatric Nephrologist Are You?

Another mother said, “So many people don’t really know enough about rare kidney disease, even nephrologists. I learned last year in the summit that there’s a difference between pediatric nephrologists who know about kidney disease,” she explained.

“There are also pediatric nephrologists who know about rare kidney disease, and I didn’t realize the difference.” She explained that they had consultations with six pediatric nephrologists before they found the right fit.”

“Is this person knowledgeable about what my kid has or not, and that really helped me decide, am I going to have a relationship with this person or am I moving on?” she said.

Treating a Child is a Group Effort

When treating children who are living with FSGS, treatment plans are a bigger group effort as opposed to the effort of 1 or 2. While many adults can navigate new treatment plans alone or with the help of a family member or significant other, the treatment plan for children “must extend beyond the child to the family system”, says Dr. Daryl O. Crenshaw, MD, FACP, FASN, FASH, a board-certified nephrologist who practices in Thomasville, GA. These professionals are part of their care ecosystem.

• Pediatric Nephrologist
• Dietician
• Social Workers
• Primary Care Doctor

That doesn’t mean that the patients themselves are to be overlooked. “Children engage best when care is framed as something they can do rather than something being done to them,” says Crenshaw. Depending on their age, involving your child in their treatment may be the best way to get them to understand what is going on. It also helps build trust and develop confidence, which will take you a long way.

Finding Community and Support

“Our pediatric nephrologist gave us the rundown from A to B about athletics. That it was terrifying, but it prepared us for what we were going to be up against,” the first mom said. “I’m like, okay, organization. I think I got this under control. I’m a mom. I can do it all, but every time my son relapsed, it was a different type of relapse.”

She knew that support and community would be critical to her journey. There were overwhelming fears about having her child labeled as “sick” at school. Her pediatric nephrologist initially recommended the NephCure’s walk in her city, but the family wasn’t ready. Two years later, she circled back and got the information.

“So we went to the walk, and then when we met the families, and everyone from NephCures, our lives really changed. At that point, because it made a difference,” she said.

Involve Your Child in Their Treatment

• Give them an active role in their treatment and more broadly, their health.
• Understanding how certain foods or choices can impact them. It can help encourage them to remain adherent and honest with you and their provider.

Whether you’re working with an HCP on a treatment plan for yourself, your child, or a loved one, always remember that you are not powerless; you are a partner. If there are questions that you feel moved to ask, ask them; if you’re experiencing new or different symptoms, bring that up; if there are ways you think something can be going more smoothly according to your needs, limitations, and lifestyle, don’t be afraid to talk about it with your doctor.

When creating a treatment plan, one of the most important things to remember is that it’s a collaborative effort. Both you and your doctor want what is best for you, and the best treatment is the one you are most likely to adhere to.

Partnering With Your Doctor as an Adult

According to Dr. Crenshaw, “Treatment guidelines provide structure, patients provide context,” he said. “The real art [of creating a treatment plan] is adjusting principles for the patient in front of me—whether that means accounting for their comorbidities, socioeconomic challenges, or medication adherence barriers.”

It helps to do the following, so your nephrologist has as much information as possible:

•  Keep track of your symptoms
• Write down any questions you might have for your provider beforehand
• Bring a list of any medications you currently take.

In addition, you may discuss your day-to-day life and your medical history. As your treatment plan is being developed, your doctor may want to know more about your environment. How close is your access to fresh food? What are your transportation options? All these things affect your health.

Understanding these correlations can get patients to better stick to their treatment. “Adherence increases when I take time to connect the science to their story. Plans thrive when they feel personalized”, says Dr. Crenshaw.

Managing Your FSGS

• Eat a low-sodium diet.
• Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Reduce alcohol consumption.
• Keep blood sugar under control.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Exercise.
• Quit smoking.

Additional reporting by Christine Jean-Louis.

Resources

Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis 

National Kidney Foundation

Understanding FSGS

NephCure

The post Create a FSGS Treatment Plan That Works For You or Your Child appeared first on Black Health Matters.

What is FSGS?

A healthy kidney oversees filtering the blood in your body to remove and flush waste like proteins, toxins, excess water, and more. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, or FSGS, is a condition where parts of the kidney that filter waste are damaged or scarred. Because of this damage, some of the waste that your kidneys should be filtering leaks out into urine.

Dr. Crenshaw, a board-certified nephrologist in Thomasville, GA, brilliantly uses the analogy of rice in a strainer. “Imagine your kidneys act as the strainer holding in rice, which represents the essential substances your body needs,” he says.

“The more damaged your ‘strainer’ is, the easier it is for ‘grains of rice’ (essential substances) to pass through and enter the urine. Accumulation of vital substances in your urine can cause health complications, especially over time.

What are the Symptoms of FSGS?

• Swelling could be in the legs, ankles, and even around the eyes.
• Weight gain is due to fluid buildup
• Foamy urine from protein buildup, called proteinuria

When should I see a doctor?

Note: If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, please get in touch with your HCP as soon as possible.

Are There Different Types of FSGS?

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are four types of FSGS.

• Primary FSGS. Many people diagnosed with FSGS have no known cause for their condition. The condition is called primary (idiopathic) FSGS.
• Secondary FSGS. It may occur because of another disease, such as diabetes or sickle cell, drug toxicity, obesity, or other kidney diseases. But controlling the underlying cause may slow the progression.
• Genetic FSGS, a type of kidney disease caused by mutations in genes that play a role in the structure and function of the glomeruli, the tiny filters in the kidneys.
• Unknown FSGS. Despite Clinical evaluation, the underlying cause has not been identified.

Questions to ask:

If I have diabetes or sickle cell disease, could I be at risk for FSGS?

Does my lupus put me at risk for FSGS?

What tests should I have annually?

One of my family members has FSGS. Does that mean I may have it too?

How early do I need to test my children?

What Kind of Health Complications Can Occur from FSGS?

• Nephrotic Syndrome is a condition that causes you to release an excessive amount of protein in the urine (pee). Nephrotic syndrome usually results from a problem with your kidneys’ filters (glomeruli). Glomeruli (glo-mare-yoo-lye) are tiny blood vessels in your kidneys. If you have nephrotic syndrome, losing different proteins may cause various problems. Some proteins help prevent blood clots. When you lose those proteins in your pee, blood clots can form.
• End-stage kidney Disease means your kidneys can no longer filter waste from your blood. It is often the final stage of CKD, but it can also develop suddenly or happen as a result of injury. Dialysis and transplant are the options then.

If You Don’t Have Symptoms: Be Proactive

Dr. Crenshaw encourages patients to be proactive and ask the right questions to understand their kidney health better.

Can you run the following test?

• Complete blood work
• Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
• Creatinine
• Urine test to measure the amount of blood and protein in proteinuria

Once you have the tests, it is critical to keep track of your results. Then ask the following?

What are the results of my tests? What do they mean?

When should I come back for follow-up testing?

Dr. Crenshaw gives a complete breakdown of the CKD stages here. All this information will help you understand how well your kidneys are functioning currently and whether you are at higher risk for chronic kidney disease in the future.

Review Your Current Medications

Suppose you are someone who has high blood pressure, diabetes, and other comorbidities such as Hep B, Hep C, HIV, syphilis, or has been exposed to certain infections (including COVID-19). In that case, it’s essential to know that you may be predisposed to lower kidney function.

Will any of the medications I am currently taking hurt my FSGS diagnosis? Or my kidneys (if you are being proactive)?

Are there OTC medications I should avoid?

What about supplements? Are they safe to take?

Should I Consider Genetic Testing?

Dr. Crenshaw encourages everyone with African ancestry to request testing to check for any genetic disposition. There are several genetic variants related to kidney disease. One that explicitly impacts those in our community is called an APOL-1 variant, which could directly affect the progression of FSGS, heart disease, and other conditions. It has been described as an accelerator that causes your disease to progress at a faster rate.

Ask your nephrologist:

What are the benefits of genetic testing?

Do I need a referral for genetic counseling?

Does my insurance cover this?

Are there other things I need to know about genetic testing, including any possible disclosures to life insurance companies?

How do I Find a Good Nephrologist?

Your doctor may not automatically refer you to a nephrologist.  However, you can begin researching on your own, especially if your plan doesn’t require a referral. Read reviews before you decide. Tap into kidney organizations, connect with their patient and support networks for ideas as well. Check out our Nephrologist guide too.

FSGS can become a serious condition, so regularly monitoring your kidney function is essential for managing kidney health. Dr. Crenshaw shared that about 90% of people in the United States have kidney disease and are unaware of it. A statistic that is sure to wake us up about our kidney health: asking the right questions is key to understanding FSGS and its possible effects. It is not only a great way to get ahead of your kidney health, but also to encourage others to do the same.

Additional Reporting by Christine Jean-Louis

Resources

American Kidney Fund: FSGS

Mayo Clinic

National Kidney Foundation: Genetic Variants and Kidney Disease

The post FSGS: The Essential Questions to Ask Your Doctor appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Black Health Matters Harlem Week Health Summit welcomed patient advocates and healthcare professionals to discuss the importance of sharing information about APOL1-mediated kidney disease. Kemi Williams, PhD, MBA, described the disease’s relationship with the Black community.

“This is a rapidly progressing chronic kidney disease that disproportionately affects people of West African ancestry, particularly African Americans,” she said.

“Knowledge and awareness of the disease is very low,” she added. “We’re hoping to change that today.”

Most of us who have kidney disease don’t know it.

Daryl O. Crenshaw, MD, noted the horrific impact of the limited awareness. “We understand now that about 37 million Americans have kidney disease, but the caveat is that most do not know they have it,” he said.

“At least 50 percent of Black Americans have at least one of the APOL risk variants, and having two of the APOL risk variants increases your chance of developing kidney disease.”

Kidney disease can lead to serious complications like kidney failure. “African Americans develop kidney failure at rates 4–5 times higher than Americans of European descent,” according to Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Joshua Albright discovered his kidney disease by accident.

Patient advocates and brothers Joshua and Jorden Albright shared their family’s experience with APOL1-mediated kidney disease.

Joshua accidentally learned about his kidney issues when visiting a family member impacted by kidney disease. “My aunt had given a kidney away to another family member, and we stopped by her house basically just to check on her, and she had a blood pressure machine out so she could check her blood pressure, and my sister and my cousins were playing around with the blood pressure machine. They put the cover on my arm, and my levels were extremely high,” he said.

It didn’t bother him much. His youth deceived him into believing it wasn’t a big deal. “At that time, I was 17, turning 18. I couldn’t care less what my blood pressure said, to be honest. I was trying to go see what the plan was that night with my friends,” he said.

Joshua’s mother thought there was something wrong and immediately called his PCP.

His mother and doctor took it seriously. “My mom actually reached out to my primary care doctor, and they let her know that I should be rushed to urgent care just to get a follow-up kind of,” said Joshua.

“Shout out to all those mothers and sisters out there that are being the healthcare advocates and warriors within their families, pushing them to get a test,” interjected Williams.

After discovering that his brother had the APOL-1 gene variant, Jorden got tested as well, and he had a different one.

Following his brother’s diagnosis, Jorden was diagnosed as well. The family was attuned to the risk. “I’m very, very blessed that my brother was diagnosed,” he said. “We learned that Josh had the G1 variation. I had the G2.”

How Joshua made clinical trial participation work while a college student.

Joshua was open about his decision to participate in a clinical trial. One reason he didn’t hesitate was that there were concerns about his privacy as a college student and his quality of life. He believes it is essential to focus on the patient’s life outside of their medical concerns in clinical trials. “I was diagnosed right before college. They gave me the flexibility to be able to coordinate at-home visits,” he said.

“I remember when I was in college, I was a little bit…I felt like I looked at my kidney disease as a weakness. I didn’t want everybody in the dorms knowing I had a nurse coming to check on me, so I would actually go all the way home to my parents’ house, and they would have a nurse meet me there. I’d have at-home visits.”

“It” puts the patient first.”

Resources

Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism

The post What’s In Them Genes? Let’s Learn About AMKD appeared first on Black Health Matters.

We discussed his role, which involves aiding in the development and processes of health-related activities. That includes serving as a liaison to the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.’s health-related, pharmaceutical, and other partners to assist the brotherhood and the communities they serve in educational processes

What Health Initiatives Have Resonated With the Kappa Alpha Psi Brotherhood?

Martez notes that they deliver events through webinars and in person. “We’re a fraternity that has a majority of our brotherhood who are African American. Prostate cancer affects 6 out of 10 Black men, he explains.

“One of the organizations that we have partnered with is ZERO Prostate Cancer,” Martez continues. “With that partnership, we’re aiding and educating the members on the importance of knowing the signs of prostate cancer as well as the information to ask from their primary care physician.”

Martez stressed that for their members to have access to that information and be encouraged to undergo screenings helps them become good stewards of their own health.

One of the other initiatives that had many members of Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. talking is the “Are You Okay?” Program.

“Our 35th Grand Polemarch, Brother Jimmy McMickle, is a former track athlete at the University of Indiana, where we were founded,” Martez said. “And because of his mantra about activity, he had a vision for the program. We partnered with Johnson & Johnson. The program not only focuses on mental health. But it includes the mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being.”

The Fraternity’s “Are You Okay? Facebook’s Group encourages its members to be physically active. Martez noted that they had a Biggest Loser competition underway, leading up to the Conclave, which will take place in Phoenix from July 1st to 6th. “We created a group in which everyone is your accountability partner,” he explains.

But those accountability partnerships mean so much more. “We have our accountability partners, but you know from a physical fitness standpoint, we have in that group as well where brothers have become so vulnerable,” Martez continues.

“That they really get in and talk about what they have going on, and then everyone in the group adds aids as a support system. So, we‘re extremely passionate about it.” Mental health became the gateway to talk about everything.

Martez says another health focus area Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. has focused on during the past few years is kidney disease. “We’ve been full steam ahead concerning kidney disease; we partnered with the American Kidney Fund for the second year in a row for AMKD Day on April 29,” he explained.

Alonzo Mourning attended a previous Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. Conclave to share his personal battle with kidney disease. “We were the first organization that he had the opportunity to come and share his story with.”

Since Black men are overwhelmingly impacted by kidney disease, educating them is critical.

“And not only that, just some of the risk factors that are associated with that are plagued more in the African American communities at large, diabetes can give you issues with your kidneys, and hypertension,” Martez said.

“So those things that impact our communities at a larger rate. It can increase our susceptibility to kidney disease. So again, it’s a domino effect,” Martez continued.

“It’s our job as pillars of the community to educate the communities at large as well as our membership on the importance of any disparity that we can.”

The post Antonio Martez: Keeping The Brothers Engaged Around Health appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Charmaine Jones, MS, RDN, LDN Food Jonezi

This content was made possible through an independent grant from Merck & Co., Inc

Black Health Matters Editorial Director Corynne Corbett and Charmaine Jones, MS, RDN, LDN, discussed the ways nutrition can help decrease cancer risks during the Black Health Matters Spring Health Summit & Expo.

Research shows that nutrition plays a crucial role in cancer prevention and treatment. In 2025,  the Future Healthcare Journal article reported that “Dietary risk factors are among the leading contributors to poor health.” In 2021, the American Journal of Public Health found that “Poor diet is known to increase cancer risk and mortality.”

An unhealthy diet is also associated with recognized risk factors for diabetes, heart disease, and certain forms of cancer. Additionally, certain types of metabolic diseases are precursors for cancers that disproportionately affect Black Americans. A diet that includes imbibing alcohol places an individual at a higher risk for cancer as well. Professional assistance can help a person develop and maintain the healthy eating habits they need to attempt to mitigate their risk factors. The conversation focused on the struggles of managing these health challenges alone and shared the benefits of asking for help. Those needing nutritional guidance can choose between a nutritionist and a registered dietitian to meet their needs.

Jones explained the difference between registered dietitians and nutritionists to the audience assembled in the University of the District of Columbia Student Center. “There are several nutrition professionals. You may have heard of a nutritionist, a wellness coach, and a health coach. Sometimes, your trainer at the gym may say he or she is a nutritionist. A nutritionist could be anyone. They could be self-proclaimed as a nutritionist because they received some certification,” she explained. “They have a background in nutrition and can have common knowledge.”

“But a registered dietitian is a medical nutrition expert who can help and support you when you have a chronic disease,” Jones continues.

“A chronic disease could be, for example, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, cancer, or kidney disease. When you have been diagnosed with a chronic disease, you should always go to a registered dietitian; A dietitian has medical nutrition therapy practice. That means we can support you medically when addressing your nutrition issues.”

Jones emphasized the need for personalization in nutrition plans. “When someone comes to me and says, ‘Hey, I’ve been diagnosed with diabetes,’ I cannot give that person a general diabetic diet. I have to customize it because everyone is different,” she explained. Everyone’s goals are different. You may want to lose weight. This person may want to build muscles. This person has diabetes. This person has high blood pressure.”

Jones pointed out that part of finding a good dietitian is looking for a relatable provider. She said someone who looks like you may not always understand your experience. Cultural competence is critical. She suggests asking for a short consultation with a potential provider where you can ask some questions to apply to your particular needs.

“If they are talking to you in a way that makes you uncomfortable, it’s okay to move on, and if the second person makes you uncomfortable, move on,” Corbett says.

“A lot of people look at registered dietitians as food police,” said Jones.

“If you feel like that dietitian is turning up their nose because you eat a certain way, move on,”

Jones instructed attendees.“A dietitian who is culturally competent should be able to say, If you like this, I can give you this, but let me show you how to make it healthier.”

She says while dietitians receive the same training, they don’t all focus on the same areas of specialization. To find qualified professionals in your area, go to www.eatright.org.

An adverse relationship between a dietitian and their client can hurt the client’s nutritional goals. A study, “Health Expectations: An International Journal of Public Participation in Health Care and Health Policy,” published in 2019, found “that dietitians should focus on individualizing nutrition care, gaining a holistic understanding of their patients and knowing/understanding each patient.” It also found the benefits of the client and dietitian working together instead of in opposition through shared decision-making, “an interactive process where both parties contribute equally to the consultation and patients are actively engaged in decision-making.”

Corbett asked Jones about going plant-based. Many people are advised to go completely plant-based without knowing what works. “I’m not discrediting vegan and vegetarian [diets]. But some people need that bioavailability of iron right then and there, when you’re eating a plant-based diet, you tend to have to eat a little bit more to meet those nutritional needs,” explained Jones. She said that while it is a good starting point for prevention, it might not be the best path for those with certain chronic diseases. “If you are thinking about going plant-based, check with your doctor,” she advised.

As a rule, Jones never recommends specific foods for anyone she has just met. “When someone comes to me and says, ‘Hey, what should I eat?’ I say, ‘I have to see your labs.

If someone tells you to eat fruits and vegetables, you want to run,” Jones says. She explained that she wouldn’t tell someone with irritable bowel syndrome to eat raw kale because their condition impacts their digestive system and reminded the audience that customization is key.

Not all insurance plans cover dietitians, or the number of visits you might need. But there are still ways to get started.

If you do have insurance, for example, Corbett suggests using your appointment(s) to develop customized meal plans and other strategies that may help you through your stumbling blocks.

“Some insurance does not cover a lot of medical nutrition therapy; there are a lot of free resources out there,” Jones says. “A lot of dietitians work in community-based organizations.”

Jones suggested the following resources:

USDA My Plate

The American Heart Association

The American Diabetes Association

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Snap ED

According to Jones, no matter your state of health, one thing is consistent across the board: “Stay away from fad diets because they’re not sustainable; you will always be on the yo-yo.” She also cautions against getting tips from what she called “medical doctor TikTok, nurse Instagram, and dietitian Facebook.”

Watch the session:

For more information on working with a dietitian, check out this stories:

Why You Need to Work With A Dietitian to Achieve Your Weight Loss Goals

Resources:

FoodJonezi

Future Healthcare Journal 

American Journal of Public Health

Health Expectations: An International Journal of Public Participation in Health Care and Health Policy

USDA My Plate

The American Heart Association

The American Diabetes Association

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Snap ED

The post An Ounce of Prevention: How Nutrition Can Save Your Life appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Dr. Crenshaw, a nephrologist who practices in Thomasville, GA,  presented at NephCure’s 2025 Health Equity Conference and reminded us of the sobering statistics within our community: Black Americans account for 32% of kidney disease in the United States and are four times more likely to develop kidney disease than white Americans. Hypertension and diabetes comprise the majority of CKD cases in our community, but other conditions such as lupus nephritis can also result in CKD.

But there are also genetic causes, Dr Crenschaw continued. “And now we appreciate APOL-1 mediated kidney disease, particularly people of African descent.”

He broke down the stages of CKD and the levels at which the kidneys function as follows:

Stage 1: 90% or higher

Stage 2: 60-89 % mild kidney disease

Stage 3a: 59-45 Stage 3b:44%-30%

Stage 4: 29% to 15% severe kidney dysfunction

Stage 5: Less than 15% end-stage kidney disease

“Unfortunately, when I see a patient, perhaps 70% of the time, I see a patient in my office, by the time they see me, they are already at stage four chronic kidney disease,” Dr. Crenshaw said. “In other words, that functions of 29% or less, and people of color that comprises about 90% of those individuals, highlighting this level of CKD diagnostic inequity.”

“Lastly, stage five kidney disease is known as end-stage kidney Disease,” Dr. Crenshaw said. “These are individuals that have function less than 15% and also, these are individuals that qualify for the need of what we call kidney replacement therapy. In other words, this is when the individuals need dialysis.”

Dr. Crenshaw points out that we rarely talk about the psychological toll on patients with kidney disease. He pointed to a study of 1,000 patients where 67% experienced symptoms of depression. 36% could not take care of themselves due to mental health problems. An additional 27% contemplated self-harm or suicide. There were 68% that were not offered mental health support, and 53% admitted to finding it hard to speak up about their mental health.

Dr. Crenshaw pointed out, “We’re going to see a significant amount of psychological and psychiatric detriment as a result of these individuals because they have underlying kidney disease and, unfortunately, were not diagnosed at an appropriate time.”

What are the Symptoms of Kidney Failure?

Dr. Crenshaw highlighted some of the warning signs of kidney failure:

• severe fatigue
• nausea and vomiting
• swelling
• a loss of appetite
• itching

Dr. Crenshaw points out that because we are underdiagnosed for CKD in our community, or diagnosed later. Many people have CKD and do not know it.

“In the southeastern part of the United States, there is a high death rate that is affiliated with kidney disease,” Dr. Crenshaw reminds us. “As I just said, 10,000 extra people in Georgia. If there was a bridge in the gap of CKD equity, in other words, the diagnostic inequity, that gap could be bridged. We will see here that we can mitigate even the death rate of kidney disease in this country.”

It is not just the underserved that go undiagnosed. Dr. Crenshaw notes, “I gave a talk to a church about five days ago, a very educated population, and in that population, there were 70% of those individuals, perhaps that were under diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.”

The APOL-1 Connection

“People who identify as Black, African American, African, Afro Carribbean, Hispanic or Latino, have an increased chance of certain genetic forms of kidney disease. Everyone with a gene in their DNA is called APOL-1. Many people from Western or Central African ancestry carry either one of two specific genetic changes or risk alleles in the APOL-1 gene. These APOL-1 risk alleles originated 1000s ago from people from Sub Saharan Africa,” Dr Crenshaw explained.

“If a person’s DNA has these two AOL-1 risk alleles, they have a one in five chance of developing a kidney disease. Doctors call this genetic form of kidney disease, APOL-1  mediated kidney disease,” he continued. “APOL-1 mediated kidney disease can manifest in different ways in different people. Sometimes, it shows up as chronic kidney disease that is misattributed to hypertension. Other times, the disease can cause rapid progression of high levels of protein and urine and is referred to as FSGS (Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis).”

Dr. Crenshaw said that it is estimated that about half of Black Americans have at least one APOL-1 risk allele and that 1 in 10 of us are at risk for kidney disease because we have two copies. However, the only way to find out is through genetic testing.

For more resources on APOL-1, check out the resources at NephCures.

The post What We Need to Know About CKD appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Having his operation at the University of Washington Medical Center meant he came home to do it. Robinson, 40, was a “Husky” star and a point guard for their team.

 

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A post shared by Nate Robinson (@naterobinson)

As a reminder, Black men comprise 17% of all chronic kidney disease cases.

Robinson has had a long journey. In October 2022, he announced that he had been battling renal failure for four years. However, he discovered his kidneys were an issue as early as 2005, but he went on to have an 11-season career.

After his surgery, Robinson told CNN through his agent, Polo Kerber, “I’m thankful for my doctors, the University of Washington, my family, my donor, and his family. Kerber added that Robinson was already feeling and looking better post-surgery and was up and walking around.

According to ESPN, Robinson received his new kidney from a live donor during hours-long transplant surgery. After the former Three-Time Dunk Champ made his plight public, he learned the University of Washington was flooded with offers from people willing to donate their kidneys.

Last fall, Robinson went through a series of preparatory procedures, including a colonoscopy, as the doctors whittled down the number of potential donors. And he found one in a man named Shane Cleveland, who Robinson has called “family at first sight.”

 

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A post shared by Nate Robinson (@naterobinson)

Shane says he has found another mother in Nate’s mom, Renee Busch.

If Robinson had it to do all over again, he would have sat out his rookie year and gotten a kidney then, but hindsight is always 20-20. But after waiting so long for a kidney, Robinson told ESPN he wasn’t planning to take it for granted.

“Later on in life, when I get a kidney, I’m going to be looking back, like, ‘Damn, I really went through all this,'” he said. “That kidney I get, I’m going to cherish it. I’m going to treat it like a baby. I’m going to do everything I’m supposed to do.”

The post Ex-NBA-Player Nate Robinson Has A Successful Kidney Transplant appeared first on Black Health Matters.

“Repeated periods of weight loss and regain form a pattern known as weight cycling,” according to the International Journal of Exercise Science. This sharp pivoting between drastic calorie reduction in inconsistent cycles can include fasting, juice cleanses, rigid diet restrictions, and other forms of rapid and severe attempts to reduce body weight. These might seem useful when the scale heads in the desired direction for a short while, but ultimately, they can have long-term negative effects on weight loss goals. Yo-yo dieting can result in short-term weight loss, which leads to improved liver health and insulin tolerance but also a greater rate of weight gain.

Studies have consistently shown that weight change is likely to increase body fat and is associated with unfavorable metabolic and psychosocial attributes.

In addition, bodies that have experienced various bouts of weight cycling resist further weight loss and favor the recovery of lost weight goals.

Here are four ways that weight cycling could be getting in the way of your long-term weight loss:

Yo-Yo Dieting Can Harm Your Heart Health

Maintaining a healthy heart is crucial for improving one’s overall wellness. That could be threatened by yo-yo dieting. According to a 2024 study from the Journal of the American Medical Association, “Human studies have linked weight change to vascular function deterioration and elevated BP via visceral fat accumulation.”

This doesn’t mean that you should stop all attempts to lose weight, but it does mean that you should try to do it in a healthy and sustainable way, or you’ll regret it later.

Yo-Yo Dieting Can Increase Your Risks of Gallstones

Your gallbladder is an organ located beneath the liver. It can be obstructed by gallstones when a rush to drop the pounds leads to unsafe choices. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports that “losing weight very quickly may raise your chances of forming gallstones” because rapid weight loss could “prevent the gallbladder from emptying properly.”

Yo-Yo Dieting Can Increase Your Risk of Kidney Disease and Cancer

Portions of your metabolic health can be thrown off by yo-yo dieting. This is particularly risky for those with the chronic metabolic disease diabetes. “Body-weight cycling is significantly associated with an increased risk of kidney events in people with type 1 diabetes, regardless of body mass index and traditional risk factors,” according to The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Talk to your healthcare professional about preexisting conditions before implementing a strict routine that might work against you.

Weight cycling can raise your risk for kidney cancer as well. A 2021 report in Cancer Causes & Control said, “Frequent substantial weight cycling was associated with increased risk of kidney cancer, independent of BMI.”

Yo-Yo- Dieting Can Prevent You from Gaining Muscle

Muscle loss, clinically referred to as sarcopenia, occurs in people who participate in yo-yo dieting. A 2019 study in the Journal of Obesity said that “the risk of developing sarcopenia was nearly six times higher in participants with severe weight cycling compared with participants without weight cycling.”

Constantly yo-yo dieting can prevent you from developing the muscle mass needed to chase your fitness goals. Honor your body by choosing the path that leads to consistent change.

Additional Research:

Nutrients

The Journal of Obesity Reviews

The Journal of The American Medical Association

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism

The post Yo-Yo Dieting Can Make You Gain Weight appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Obesity significantly raises the risk of numerous life-threatening diseases and conditions, many of which are preventable through early intervention and effective treatment. Understanding the health risks associated with obesity is crucial for both preventing these conditions

Type 2 Diabetes

One of the most well-known health risks associated with obesity is type 2 diabetes. Obesity and excess weight is associated with insulin resistance, a condition where the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Over time, this can result in high blood sugar levels, ultimately leading to type 2 diabetes. This condition increases the risk of complications such as nerve damage, kidney disease, and vision problems, and requires lifelong management through medication and lifestyle changes.

Maintaining a healthy weight through proper nutrition, exercise, and medical interventions can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is another major health risk associated with obesity. Excess body fat, especially around the organs in the abdomen, increases the workload on the heart, leading to higher pressure in the arteries. Over time, this increased pressure can damage the blood vessels, which in turn raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage.

Hypertension often presents without noticeable symptoms, earning it the nickname “the silent killer.” Left untreated, high blood pressure can cause serious complications, including heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.

Heart Disease and Stroke

Obesity is a major contributor to the development of heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. Excess weight strains the heart, leading to conditions such as coronary artery disease (CAD) and congestive heart failure. People with obesity are also more likely to have high cholesterol and high blood pressure, both of which increase the risk of heart disease.

Similarly, obesity increases the risk of stroke. Strokes occur when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, often due to a blood clot or a burst blood vessel. The increased pressure on the heart and arteries caused by obesity can contribute to these events, leading to long-term disability or even death.

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH)

MASLD (Metabolic Associated Steatotic Liver Disease) and MASH (Metabolic Associated Steatohepatitis) are updated terms for conditions previously referred to as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

MASLD refers to the buildup of excess fat in the liver not caused by alcohol. It is associated with metabolic factors like obesity, type 2 diabetes, or insulin resistance. It is characterized by fatty liver without significant inflammation or liver damage.

MASH is the more severe form of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). It includes liver inflammation and damage, in addition to fat accumulation in the liver. It can lead to fibrosis (scarring) of the liver, cirrhosis, or even liver cancer if left untreated.

Cancer and Other Health Conditions

Obesity is a risk factor for many different types of cancer.

Additionally, obesity can play a role in the manifestation of other common health conditions such as:

• Sleep apnea
• Asthma
• Osteoarthritis
• Gout
• Kidney Disease
• Erectile dysfunction

Clinical Trials: A Path to Better Health Outcomes

More solutions are needed to treat obesity, and clinical trials are leading the way. If you are living with obesity and have experienced complications such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or fatty liver disease, consider participating in a clinical trial.

Beyond personal benefits, participating in a clinical trial may also contribute to scientific advancement. By joining a trial, you may help researchers better understand obesity-related diseases and develop therapies that could improve the lives of millions of people worldwide. Click here to learn more about ongoing clinical trials.

References:

NIH. NIDDK.  Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity

OMA. What Is Obesity?

The post Obesity and Your Health: The Risks You Can’t Ignore appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Thyroid Disease Impacts More Women Than Men

The American Thyroid Association reports that “more than 12 percent of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime” and “up to 60 percent of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition.” The risk for thyroid complications is even higher in women. A 2021 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association stated that “thyroid dysfunction is more common in women than in men.” That dysfunction can be complicated by the inadvertent masking of symptoms because, as the same article noted, “For women, the profound physiologic changes associated with different life stages affect the timing of presentation of thyroid disease.”

Our Community Faces a Unique Set of Challenges

Interventions addressing poor thyroid health can range from oral prescription medication to surgical procedures. Hormone replacement therapies are an option in some instances as well. Black people face unique challenges in maintaining proper thyroid health.

“Disparities continue to exist in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease, which affects an estimated 20 million Americans, with patients of racial and ethnic minorities experiencing worse outcomes for both malignant and benign thyroid disease,” according to the Office on Women’s Health in the Office in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

A study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reported that “the incidence of thyroid cancer has been rapidly increasing over the past 30 years,” and “Black patients were on average older at the time of diagnosis and had higher comorbidity scores.”

Overactive Versus Underactive Thyroid Conditions (and their symptoms)

Thyroids can be overactive and underactive. Both can negatively impact one’s health and are frequently attributed to the presence of autoimmune diseases like Graves and Hashimoto’s. Thyroid issues can also complicate family planning.

Hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid condition. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases defines it as a condition “when the thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormones than your body needs.”

Hyperthyroidism can be challenging to diagnose due to its symptoms overlapping with other conditions. This can contribute to deadly delays in treatment and worsen outcomes. “A hyperthyroidism diagnosis can’t be based on symptoms alone because many of its symptoms are the same as those of other diseases. That’s why your doctor may use several thyroid blood tests and imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis and find its cause,” according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. According to the Lancet, “Commonly reported symptoms are palpitations, fatigue, tremors, anxiety, disturbed sleep, weight loss, heat intolerance, sweating, and polydipsia.” It can also lead to diarrhea.

Sweating and heat intolerance can be confused for symptoms of menopause or perimenopause in some cases, wasting valuable time that could be used to treat thyroid issues on misdiagnosis.

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid cannot function at the level the body needs. The Office of Women’s Health reports that symptoms of hypothyroidism include cold intolerance, constipation, loss of muscle functionality, depression, fatigue, dry skin, abnormal heart rate, diminished vocal capacity, and heavy menstrual bleeding. It is equally difficult to diagnose.

If you suspect that you might be having thyroid issues. Give your doctor some insight into some of your symptoms:

• Symptom: Temperature Sensitivity

If your new satin shirt is soaked through while everyone surrounding you is bone dry, that could be a sign that you have an overactive thyroid. Excessive sweating and heat sensitivity are common symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism. Shivering while everyone is enjoying a cool breeze might indicate hypothyroidism, as this thyroid issue can come with an extreme sensitivity to the cold.

•  Symptom: Heart Issues

Heart palpitations could be a symptom of an overactive thyroid. A heart rate that is too slow might signal that your thyroid is underperforming. If you suspect you have symptoms, you can monitor your heart rate on your own and bring evidence to your doctor, but ultimately, they will be the best method of confirming your heart health and whether it intersects with any thyroid challenge.

• Symptom: Impact On Your Mental Health

Overactive and underactive thyroid have the potential to impact a person’s mental and emotional health.

A sleepless state of constant worry that feels like generalized anxiety could be a sign that your thyroid is in a hyper state. The deep fog of depression that you are unable to climb out of could prove that your thyroid is low-functioning and sinking your hormonal health. Both of these invisible symptoms are dangerous. Communicate honestly with your healthcare provider and loved ones about how you are feeling so that you can get the help you need and deserve.

The post The Difference Between an Underactive & Overactive Thyroid appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Hypertension and Kidney Care

Sponsored By

Astrazeneca

Kemi Williams led a conversation designed to raise awareness of options available to those living with hypertension and kidney disease at the Black Health Matters Summit in Charlotte, North Carolina. The conversation included kidney care patient Sandra L. Washington and Marvin Sinsakul MD, MBA, FASN, Senior Global Development Medical Director – AstraZeneca.

According to the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, “hypertension can lead to worsening kidney function and progressive decline in kidney function, can conversely lead to worsening blood pressure (BP) control.”

Washington shared her experience being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. Her journey began with a series of incessant phone calls. “It was my endocrinologist. She had recently ordered some lab work for me, and when she got the numbers, she became alarmed,” said Washington.

That doctor’s visit became the ringtone that would never end. “My phone was blowing up 20 times. I was like, she must want something,” she continued. What the endocrinologist wanted was to share that she was being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. Instances of chronic kidney disease are more severe in the Black community as well. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, “Black people make up about 13% of the total population but account for 30% of the people with ESKD (End-stage Kidney Disease) in the United States.”

The diagnosis threw her. “I was lost,” she admitted. Dealing with a severe chronic illness did not fit with her lifestyle. She took care of everyone around her and, she did not expect to need specific and consistent care herself. “I was so used to going to battle for them with their issues that I had lost track of what was really happening in my mind,” she said.

Washington cited the gap between the information offered to patients and the information needed to manage their conditions. “When you give a patient an acronym. We don’t know what that is. You’re telling me I got CKD. I’m like okay whatever,” she said.

Diabetes complicated Washington’s journey with chronic kidney disease. “Some of those symptoms I was having. I was having them because I was diabetic,” she told the crowd gathered to learn from her experiences. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease” and “about 1 out of 3 adults with diabetes has kidney disease.”

Washington was unaware of evidence of how genetics might have impacted her medical outcomes. “I didn’t know about the genetic part until my mom was transitioning over,” she said. She and her mother lived in different cities and did not frequently discuss any overlaps in their medical histories.

Dr. Sinsakul revealed that AstraZeneca is working to facilitate these conversations in families.

“We hope that we can provide us deeper understanding in the link between hypertension and chronic kidney disease [and] hope that we can also highlight the impact of this diagnosis on a patient and also emphasize the critical importance of knowing your family’s medical history,” he said.

See three methods for taking action to preserve your kidney health below.

Take Action:

• Get Specific Dietary Advice

Washington found herself forced to adjust the healthy eating habits she adopted to manage her diabetes. “Everything that I was eating, I thought was healthy for me,” she said.

“Because as a diabetic, I’m told monitor this, monitor that, monitor, you know, everything! So here I am going about life thinking that, well, my diet is helping me when, in actuality, it was literally hurting me,” she continued.

“Once I found out I had CKD I actually started seeing a nutritional doctor as well. I was told no pineapples,” she said.

Pineapples were a huge part of her plan for leaning on smoothies to get her nutrients.

“I’ve been drinking a pina colada smoothie every morning,” she said. “I was eating bananas to keep from taking them, big, old potassium, cap pill[s] that they give you.” Potassium capsules can be large and chalky, making certain versions tough to swallow. They have been seen to improve outcomes in certain diabetic and prediabetic patients according to The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The news blew her away with disappointment. She was trying her best but due to a lack of information that best was not good enough to keep her levels where they should be.

“My favorite snack, at the time, was popcorn,” she continued. When the doctor told her “you can’t have popcorn,” she was floored.

This shocked her partner as well. “My husband’s mouth dropped,” she added.

“I was like, but that’s my favorite snack and I was told no popcorn because the minute and I’m not sure how many of us realize this popcorn turns to sugar the minute you put it in your system.

So while you’re thinking it’s healthy, it’s not. So, I actually had to learn how to eat better. I had to incorporate an exercise routine where I was doing more than being a couch potato. Those are the things that I had to do.”

Washington recommended those listening to the conversation find their own method to developing a diet plan that is right for them. “Every person’s body is different. The point is, you need to see a doctor,” she said.

• Share Information With Your Family

Williams cited the importance of family history in empowering a patient. “You can imagine if Sandra knew maybe years ago, that maybe there was a genetic disposition within the family to getting chronic kidney disease. Maybe there, she would have taken certain actions,” she said.

“It’s very important. The information we pass on to our children, right? To our grandchildren, can actually inform and empower them to make the right decision around their health care.”

• Educate Yourself in Clinical Trials

Dr. Sinsakul shared how committed his firm is to prioritizing welcoming different types of patients into their clinical research.  “We do have a core value where we state that we put patients first,” he said.

“One of the ways we do that is demonstrated by the actions we are taking and our commitments around medication community engagement and clinical trial diversity.”

The post Redefining Health for our Community: Let’s Talk Hypertension and Kidney Care appeared first on Black Health Matters.

A rapidly changing healthcare landscape is erecting more challenges than ever for people who require ongoing intervention. It can be even more dangerous for the many Black people who need dialysis treatment. “It is no secret that health inequities and barriers to quality care contribute to adverse outcomes within America’s Black community,” wrote Dr. Walter L. Fields, Jr., in an op-ed he penned for the Milwaukee Community Journal.

Those barriers can cause those with kidney concerns to lack consistency where their care is concerned, sometimes even skipping hemodialysis sessions. The Journal of Kidney Medicine published a study that found “African Americans have a higher prevalence of kidney failure treated with dialysis and higher rates of nonadherence to hemodialysis, which are associated with excessive hospitalizations and increased financial costs.” According to a 2020 study by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Equity, “Black Americans experience kidney failure at three times the rate of whites.” That same study asserted that “Many Black people lack access to diagnosis and treatment for chronic health issues.”

That creates a complicated climate for tackling kidney disease, according to the Johns Hopkins study, which confirmed that “Timing is critical for managing kidney disease, and Black Americans often aren’t diagnosed until the later stages of the condition, or even upon kidney failure, which makes the disease harder to treat and worsens the prognosis.”

Dr. Fields, the Senior Pastor of St. Paul Church of God in Christ MKE and the Superintendent of the Calvary District, has witnessed the devastation that can happen in households that do not get the proper support for their medical needs. He was so passionate about preserving access to certain therapies that he shared his views on upcoming policy changes that could impact his congregation and people nationwide.

“I take very seriously my role of caring for both the spiritual and physical health of my predominantly Black congregation, and my parishioners experience disparities in both health care and health outcomes,” said Dr. Fields.

“The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is now finalizing a policy change to be implemented in January 2025 that would severely limit dialysis patient access to certain medications, known as orally administered phosphate lowering therapies (PLTs). Dialysis patients take orally administered PLTs to manage hyperphosphatemia,” he continued. According to his op-ed, his interpretation of the change states, “The new CMS policy would prohibit PLTs from being paid for and provided under Medicare Part D and, instead, include PLTs into the bundled payment system for other dialysis services. The result: access to these essential medications at community pharmacies will be limited.”

According to their website, “On November 1, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule updating payment rates and policies under the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) for renal dialysis services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries on or after January 1, 2025.”

The site lists specific numbers and rates under a section labeled “Annual Update to the ESRD PPS Base Rate” to offer information to the public.

Fields considers the proposed rates to be insufficient. “This is a pre-set and often inadequate amount paid to the dialysis center to cover the cost of all services and therapies administered during dialysis. There is no question that this action by CMS would further worsen health inequities experienced by Black dialysis patients. It is well-known that dialysis centers are already underfunded and typically operate using one-size-fits-all protocols,” he wrote in his op-ed.

Legislation has been proposed to prevent this change in payment for PLTs and protect access to these important medications for patients with kidney issues. On July 28, 2023, Rep. Carter Earl L. Buddy introduced a bill, H.R.5074—Kidney PATIENT Act of 2023. The bill aims to “amend the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 to delay implementation of the inclusion of oral-only ESRD-related drugs in the Medicare ESRD prospective payment system.”

Kidney Care Partners, which is a non-profit coalition representing 25 organizations including, patients, dialysis professionals, physicians, nurses, researchers, therapeutic innovators, transplant coordinators, and manufacturers expressed misgivings over the impact of the proposed change in policy in a release on their website. “KCP is concerned this policy may negatively impact patient access to care, as many dialysis providers lack sufficient infrastructure needed to dispense and administer these drugs,” they stated.

Dr. Fields believes that it will take the efforts of policymakers and private citizens to help the act become law before 2025 arrives. This need extends beyond his congregation and community.

The National Kidney Foundation reports that “1 in 3 adults in the U.S. are at risk for kidney disease.” Even more alarming information from the National Kidney Foundation states that “1 in 7 U.S. adults have kidney disease, and 90% don’t know it.” The sometimes silent progression of chronic kidney disease can limit the treatment options.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Areas with the highest prevalence of diagnosed CKD (chronic kidney disease) are in Southern California, Florida, the Appalachian region, and the Midwest.”

A 2023 article in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases published the results of the REGARDS Study, which examined individuals from US states with a high burden of strokes, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The study stated, “Established CKD risk factors accounted for higher risk of incident CKD in Black versus White individuals.”

Black communities are positioned to suffer from a lack of available care for kidney-related issues. If you want to use your voice to back the Kidney PATIENT Act, use the link below to contact your legislator.

https://www.votervoice.net/mobile/NMQF/Campaigns/117787/Respond

The post The Kidney PATIENT Act Could Help Someone You Love appeared first on Black Health Matters.

If you are a dialysis patient, you are at a significantly increased risk of having elevated phosphorus because your kidney is no longer able to remove this mineral from your blood. The mere act of having dialysis treatments does not guarantee that phosphorus levels will be controlled, as often that is not the case. “The removal of phosphate during one hemodialysis session amounts to only 800 mg to 1,000 mg. Thus, dialysis 3 times a week is insufficient to remove the recommended daily intake of phosphorus for patients requiring dialysis,” according to the Methodist DeBakey Cardiovascular Journal.

It is important that hyperphosphatemia be diagnosed and dealt with quickly. A report from Frontiers in Medicine explained that “Long-term hyperphosphatemia can lead to symptoms such as pruritus, convulsions, limb ulceration, bone fracture, bone pain, vascular and soft tissue calcification, and hyperparathyroidism, all of which seriously threatens the survival health and life quality of patients.”

Itching and swelling in the feet and ankles are also telltale symptoms that something is wrong. Do not allow these to progress without looking into your phosphorus levels.

The American Association of Kidney Patients also reports that “Approximately 80% of patients on dialysis require phosphate-lowering therapy.” “Management of phosphorus levels in patients receiving dialysis should be achieved through an integrated approach involving dietary control and medical intervention when necessary,” per the Journal of Renal Nutrition.

You must take an active role in managing your phosphorus levels, participating in shared decision-making alongside your doctor. It is important that you know your phosphorus levels so you can and/or prevent problems before they arise. For patients on maintenance dialysis, phosphorus levels are typically measured each month, and it is important that you know your numbers so that you can have informed discussions with your doctor on the best strategy to lower your phosphorus levels toward the normal range.

Work With Your HCP to Maintain Healthy Phosphorus Levels

• Keep track of phosphorous levels and review them with your doctor. Learn the acceptable amount of phosphorus for your age and weight and discuss it with your healthcare practitioner.
• Prevent interactions between your medications. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements from the National Institutes of Health, “Phosphorus can interact with certain medications, and some medications can have an adverse effect on phosphate levels.” Ask your doctor what you can take and should avoid, ensuring your levels are within a safe range.
• Explore complementary therapies. There are new approaches to preserving and improving kidney health. For example, “Assessing cognitive, nutritional and functional status in elderly subjects with CKD is emerging as a new tool to stratify the risk,” per the Journal of Clinical Medicine. Familiarize yourself with what is happening with chronic kidney disease and discuss it with your doctor. If they refuse to explore a therapy option that you feel might work for you, ask them to document it in your chart and provide the reason for the refusal.
•  Ask your HCP for a referral to a licensed dietician or nutritionist.

Don’t just accept your doctor’s admonishments and platitudes about your phosphorus levels. Work with them to develop a plan.

Holistic approaches are more successful strategies for managing chronic kidney disease. According to The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, “Care should be taken in maintenance dialysis patients to avoid concomitant reductions in dietary protein because a low-protein diet can lead to hypoalbuminemia, protein-energy wasting, and uremic malnutrition, which are associated with increased mortality.”

The Journal of Renal Nutrition reinforces that “foods high in phosphorus are plentiful in the normal diet (e.g., meats and fish, nuts, whole grains, legumes, cheese) and contain many important nutrients. Thus, avoiding phosphorus-rich foods can be difficult for patients with CKD, and malnutrition is an important concern in this already nutritionally compromised patient population.”

Know your phosphorus numbers and use them during conversations with your doctor to determine the best methods for developing dietary restrictions to support your goals.

The post Dialysis Patients: Talk to your Doctors About Managing High Phosphorus Levels Today appeared first on Black Health Matters.

For decades, patients with CKD have been able to get their treatments and medications covered through certain insurances. However, impending changes can affect patients’ ability to afford their treatments. HEAL Collaborative is working to keep these policies as is through advocacy for the Kidney PATIENT Act, which aims to postpone these changes for at least two years.

Who Does Chronic Kidney Disease Affect?

Chronic Kidney Disease affects 20% of the non-Hispanic Black/African-American population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While kidney failure affects many other racial and ethnic groups, African Americans are disproportionately affected due to common risk factors like family history, age (60+ years), hypertension, diabetes, and disparities in the quality of healthcare across these groups, according to the National Kidney Foundation.

Additionally, the CDC estimates that as many as 9 out of 10 adults with CKD are not aware that they have it. This can lead to later diagnosis and, thus, a more progressed condition and more pertinent treatment.

What Are the Changes?

Policymakers want to change how certain CKD medications are covered by Medicare, starting January 1, 2025. This change may cause patients to lose coverage and access to medications and treatments necessary for those living with CKD.

In this video, Alan Ryan of Ardelyx explains the impact this change can have and emphasizes that the Kidney PATIENT Act is about “making sure [the policies] that have been the case for over a decade…simply continue.” If the Kidney PATIENT Act (H.R. 5074) is not passed by January 1, 2025, impactful changes will happen.

How is the Treatment Covered?

Most CKD patients on dialysis have insurance coverage through Medicare. Currently, phosphate-lowering oral medications are prescribed to most patients and are covered as a Part D drug benefit.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to move these oral medications to provide payment for these medications directly to dialysis providers as a Part B benefit within the ESRD Prospective Payment System, the bundled payment system it uses to pay for services related to dialysis. Moving the oral medication to a different coverage group will create financial and access problems for patients.

In this patient highlight video, kidney patient and advocate, Taura, talks about her challenges finding the right insurance coverage for her treatment due to some instability in employer-provided insurance. After her company was bought out, her insurance coverage had to change, causing her to find ways to remain in the network her providers were in. Taura shares how her job was “taken over by another company that didn’t even offer insurance—they offered insurance plans—and when you have health issues, insurance plans aren’t gonna do much for you.”

While Taura was fortunate enough to find insurance coverage and a transplant, impending changes may cause different outcomes for others.

How is HEAL Collaborative Helping?

HEAL Collaborative uses its voice to bring awareness to, advocate for, and help pass the Kidney PATIENT Act, which aims to postpone these proposed changes. With the help of Congressmen and policymakers across over 10 U.S. states, HEAL is collaborating with key pillars in Black communities, such as churches, to share information about the Kidney PATIENT Act. In June 2024, Tennessee Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn introduced the act to the Senate, S4510, with a mission to keep pushing it further toward positive change.

State and local policymakers nationwide are also lending their support to the bill. In this video, Wisconsin State Senator Dora Drake said, “It was important that I came to the event focused on kidney care because health equity is still an issue that we are fighting for, especially among African American communities,” she explains, “Being in spaces where people feel safe to ask questions, get information, [and I learned what I] need to be doing as a policymaker.”

How You Can Make a Difference

With your signature, you can raise awareness of these issues and help move the Kidney PATIENT Act forward.

Sign the petition to help those living with Chronic Kidney Disease keep access to their coverage.

The post Advocating For Chronic Kidney Disease Policy Change appeared first on Black Health Matters.

How a Second Trump Presidency May Impact This

If Donald Trump is re-elected to the presidency and eventually successfully repeals the ACA, it could cause seismic changes in the U.S. healthcare system. While Trump has never revealed exactly what his alternative plan would look like (during the campaign, he said he has “concepts of a plan”), Lisa Cooper, a professor in the Department of Health, Behavior, and Society at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, says, “if the past predicts the future, we can look at provisions targeted during his previous term and expect them to be targeted again or further diminished.”

“As president, Trump’s budget proposals included plans to convert the ACA into block grants to states, cap federal funding for Medicaid, and allow states to relax the ACA’s rules protecting people with pre-existing conditions,” says Samantha Artiga, vice president and director of the Racial Equity and Health Policy Program at KFF. “If enacted, those plans would have reduced federal funding for health care by about $1 trillion over a decade, with the trade-offs being higher out-of-pocket premiums for people, more uninsured, higher spending and greater risk for states, and restrictions in Medicaid eligibility.”

The Top Ways It May Impact Our Community

1. Tens of Millions of Americans Could Lose Their Coverage

Marketplace Subsidies: The ACA provides 40 million subsidies so middle- and low-income individuals can afford health insurance through the exchanges.

If Republicans win both chambers of Congress and the presidency, they are strongly expected to let the subsidies expire at the end of 2025.

This would likely increase copays, premiums, and out-of-pocket prescription drug costs. Insurance could become unaffordable for many, possibly leading some insurance companies to exit the market and ultimately leading to an additional 23+ million uninsured people.

Medicaid Expansion: Expanding Medicaid eligibility is one of the ACA’s most noteworthy benefits. Between 2017 and 2024, the number of states with Medicaid expansion went from 32 to 41. If it was repealed, states that expanded Medicaid could lose federal funding, meaning 69 million low-income individuals could lose their healthcare coverage.

2. Over 130 Million People with Pre-existing Conditions Could Be Denied Coverage

Under the ACA, no one can be denied coverage under any circumstance, and insurance companies cannot retroactively cancel a policy unless there is evidence of fraud. It was a different ballgame before; back then, people with pre-existing conditions could be denied coverage or charged higher premiums. Removing the ACA could lead to the return of rejections and higher costs and make it difficult or impossible for individuals with chronic conditions, cancer survivors, or anyone else with a health history to get affordable coverage.

Note: If repealed, the replacement plan could weaken pre-existing protections for individuals with one of the growing list of conditions:

• AIDS/HIV
• Alcohol/Drug Abuse
• Cerebral Palsy
• Cancer
• Heart Disease
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Kidney Disease
• Sleep Apnea
• Pregnancy
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Bipolar Disorder

3. Women Could Be Charged More For Coverage Than Men

Before the ACA, women were often charged higher premiums than men for the same coverage. The ACA prohibits charging different premiums based on gender. It also demands that all privately purchased plans cover maternity care, which had routinely been excluded from many individually purchased plans. Most private plans must also cover preventive services (such as breast and cervical cancer screenings, prescribed contraceptives, and breastfeeding supplies) without any co-payments or other types of cost-sharing.

As a result of the ACA, findings from the Commonweath Fund show that the percentage of women who have delayed or skipped needed care because of costs has fallen to an all-time low.

Knocking down the ACA could mean a return to gender-based increased premium rates, fewer services, and worse health outcomes for American women.

In addition, while abortion is the most prominent healthcare campaign issue, a Trump re-election could have massive implications for contraceptive care and maternal health. Professor Cooper says, “Trump has been supportive of abortion access decisions being made by states rather than Federal law guaranteeing a woman’s right to choose.

Under a second Trump administration, in the absence of Roe vs Wade protections, women who live in states with abortion bans will have less access to reproductive health care, and this would worsen the already dire racial disparities in maternal deaths among Black women.”

4. Seniors Could Get Hit with Higher Premiums

The ACA restricts how much more insurers can charge adults over 50 versus younger individuals to three times.

Repealing the law could cause older adults to get slammed with significantly higher premiums, making health insurance unaffordable for seniors between 50 and 65 since they wouldn’t yet be eligible for Medicare.

According to AARP, if insurers did what was proposed in the 2017 Republican repeal bill and charged older adults five times more for insurance, that would add an average “age tax” of $4,124 for a 60-year-old in the individual market. In addition, a 2023 study by Protect Our Care, a healthcare advocacy organization, states that “the Republicans’ plan to repeal the ACA would make 49 million seniors pay more for prescription drugs because the Medicare “donut hole” would be reopened.”

5. Essential Health Benefits Could Be Cut or Cost You More

The ACA requires insurance plans to cover preventive services, such as cancer screenings, cholesterol tests, annual check-ups, and contraceptive services, at no cost. Repealing the law could allow insurance companies to offer plans with less comprehensive care, higher out-of-pocket costs, and weakened pre-existing protections, leading to less preventative care and an increase in untreated illnesses.

6. Annual and Lifetime Coverage Limits Could Return

Before the ACA, 105 million Americans with employer coverage carried a lifetime cap on their health insurance benefits. Every year, back then, an additional 20,000 people would hit their cap and exhaust their benefits when they needed them most. The ACA stops that and prevents insurers from instituting annual or lifetime limits on essential health coverage. Without such protections in place, people with high medical costs (think: serious accidents or chronic illnesses) could run out of coverage and into personal debt or bankruptcy.

7. Millions Could Lose Access to Mental Health and Addiction Services

The ACA requires insurance plans to cover mental health and addiction treatment as part of the essential health benefits. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that 40 percent of people aged 18 to 65 with opioid addiction—approximately 800,00 or four in 10—are on Medicaid, and most became eligible once the ACA became law.

Insurance companies could stop covering psychiatric care, addiction treatment, and counseling services if struck down.

8. 4.9 Million Young Adults Could Lose Their Coverage

This age group was the most likely to be uninsured before the ACA was created. The law allows young adults to remain on their parent’s insurance until age 26. If repealed, this prevalent benefit could be eliminated, leading to a 76 percent increase in uninsured young adults.

9. 34 Million Children Could Lose Mental Health Services

Medicaid’s comprehensive child health coverage guarantee could be on the chopping block if the ACA is repealed. Such a move would hamper children’s access to mental health care and cause them to go without other services, like annual check-ups and speech and physical therapy.

10. Over 500 At-Risk Rural Hospitals Could Be Forced to Close

Under the ACA, Medicaid expansion has been a financial lifeline for many rural hospitals because it covers the uncompensated care costs of low-income patients. Between 2010 and 2021, nearly three-fourths of rural hospital closures were in states that have not adopted Medicaid expansion, with research showing that expansion disproportionately improved rural hospital margins and helped avert hospital closures. Repealing the ACA and reducing Medicaid funding could lead to at-risk rural hospitals closing and losing health coverage for area residents.

“Black Americans are also more likely to live in [rural] states that have not implemented ACA supported Medicaid expansion,” adds Professor Cooper. Because “these states are less likely to expand Medicaid ACA provisions, it will make health insurance less affordable to Black Americans living in those states.”

 These States Have Not Expanded Medicaid

• Alabama
• Florida
• Georgia
• Kansas,
• Mississippi
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

The post 10 Ways an ACA Repeal Could Impact Our Health appeared first on Black Health Matters.

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“There was nobody, no Black men, who were open about having herpes when I was diagnosed. I still don’t know any Black men who are open about it,” Brame told Black Health Matters.

Black men have little in common with the slender brunettes in gauzy gowns who are doing TikTok trends to spread awareness and combat information online.

While important, their work explaining the virus types and how it is contracted and spread does not speak to everyone. Brame noted the cultural nuances that separate advocates from the audiences that could use their insight.

“That 28-year-old 26-year-old White woman who might advocate for herpes awareness will never have the same experiences that I, a 36-year-old Black man, have,” he said.

He explained that Black men routinely connect with him one-on-one regarding their status but are less likely to participate in educational programming or get tested routinely.

Brame regretted hearing that they were comfortable with their partner’s test results being a bellwether of their personal health. “I know that if she ain’t got nothing, I ain’t got nothing,” he was told. I think that kind of contributes to or explains why many men typically don’t go to the doctor.”

Several panelists at this year’s Black Health Matters Summit pointed out that the attendance was heavily comprised of Black women and urged them to pass on the vital information provided about diabetes, kidney disease, mental health, and more to the men in their lives.

According to a 2022 review published in Women’s & Gender-Related Health, “Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) significantly and disproportionately affect Black women in the United States” and “Black women were more likely to report having an STI over the course of their lifetime (49.6%) compared to White women (27.6%).

A 2023 study published in the Journal of Global Social Welfare, “The long-established negative stereotypes (e.g., insatiable sexual desires, sexual promiscuity, lack of morality) associated with Black/African Americans regarding their race and sexuality, both in research studies and in the real world, have led to unresolved repercussions of poor sexual and physical health outcomes.”

“Black women that I’m talking to about herpes are getting it from Black men who don’t know, they have it, or have it and just aren’t telling people, or they were also misinformed by their health care Professionals and being told you need to just wear a condom, you don’t have to tell anybody, or if you don’t have symptoms, you’re good, you ain’t got to worry,” said Brame.

The condom-centric method of education does not serve them. “All of the messaging, especially for heterosexual men, heterosexual Black men, is wear a condom, and people don’t know this, but condoms don’t cover the entire surface area of where you might expose someone or be exposed to herpes because the virus spreads by skin to skin contact, which may not always be on the external genitals, that could be in the pelvic region,” said Brame. “It could be on a testicle. It could be on the anus.”

Brame highlighted the other shortcomings in the sexual wellness space for Black men who reflect his lived experience. He expressed what he wanted to see available to them. “I think we’ve got to learn how to communicate about sexual health,” he said. “It needs to be about boundaries. It needs to be about consent. It needs to be about being able to give or receive a rejection.”

Sexually transmitted infections need to be learned about by everyone on the planet, but some people need to be met where they are.

Brame stated his belief that public health education efforts do not routinely target heterosexual Black men. “I think that a lot of the information like that is just psychologically inaccessible, especially to Black men, straight Black men,” he said. He identified visual symbols that could render certain offerings “psychologically inaccessible” to some people.

According to Brame, a color palette or acronym could prevent a Black man from accessing the resources he needs.

“A cisgender, heterosexual, Black man who sees that thinks, ‘oh, that’s not for me because it’s a rainbow flag on there and I’m not LGBT or they see the HIV services on the door of the place and maybe don’t want to be seen going in and out of there because of a fear of what other people who might see us go in there might think,” he said.

Sexual health can intersect with mental health for many. “People have suicide ideation after their diagnosis and because of their diagnosis,” said Brame.

Those diagnosed with herpes are often used as punchlines by society. Herpes and other STIs are rife with stigma. “Usher was crucified for an allegation,” recalled Brame. Usher was ridiculed when allegations that he contracted herpes went viral. The lawsuit that brought the allegations to the public eye has since been dismissed. The R&B star’s ordeal is an illustration of the stigma associated with herpes.

A study from the Journal of Psychoneuroendocrinology found that “HSV-1 was associated with suicidal behavior.”

“People who want to kill themselves because of the kind of jokes that people make and the harm that’s done in that,” said Brame.

He hopes his commitment to transparency and moving the conversation away from traditional settings will set a new standard for engaging with sexual education through an inclusive lens. “I hope that my presence invites more involvement from Black men to get involved in these cases,” he continued.

“I try not to make everything exclusively about herpes. I’ve been holding events lately where we teach people how to identify their pleasure and safety needs and then go on to communicate that to their partner, and we make the conversation fun. We make it playful. We make it sexy.”

The post It’s National Herpes Awareness Day appeared first on Black Health Matters.

1. Ensure you’re eating a healthy amount of calories

Cutting down calories plays a significant role in weight loss and maintenance. But you want to ensure you eat healthy calories daily to fuel your body and reduce your risk of developing mental and physical problems.

According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, women should consume between 1,600 and 2,400 calories daily. Your exact calorie intake will vary depending on your weight, dieting habits, energy expenditure (e.g., physical activity), pregnancy, and hormonal status.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Body Weight Planner can help determine your daily calorie intake.

2. Eat mindfully

A research article published in DiabetesSpectrum defines mindful eating (or conscious eating) as a practice that involves giving full attention to your food, feelings, hunger, and satiety (fullness or satisfaction). It’s all about enjoying the eating experience more mindfully and consciously.

Mindful eating benefits weight management, as research reveals this approach can reduce emotional eating.

3. Practice stress management

To cope with the many stressors life can bring, you might resort to overeating. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), many people tend to overeat food to relieve stress. To keep the weight off, Dr. Lahey recommends switching out overeating with mindfulness practices like yoga, meditation, or journaling.

4. Catch enough Zs at night

According to Dr. Lahey, you should get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night to regulate the hormones tied to hunger and metabolism.

The CDC provides the following tips for creating a good sleep environment:

• Maintain a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
• Block light that comes through all windows turn off hallway lights and use room-darkening shades to darken the bedroom.
• Keep your bedroom temperature tool.
•  Use a comfy mattress and pillows and replace them when they get worn.
•  Block out noise using earplugs, a fan, or a white noise machine.
•  Avoid working, watching TV, or reading in your bedroom to program your brain only to align your bedroom with feelings of relaxation and sleep.

5. Limit screen time

The World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRF) reported that greater screen time on phones, tablets, and computers is linked to a higher risk of weight gain, overweight, and obesity in adults. You can limit your screen time by setting screen-free hours, splitting up your screen time into smaller increments, turning off notifications, and engaging in offline activities such as reading, gardening, or cooking.

6. Get regular checkups with your doctor

As you continue your weight loss journey, stay up-to-date with your regular check-ups and screenings with your doctor. They can help you keep track of your weight loss progress and see how these changes affect your health.

7. Have a solid support system

Do you have someone in your corner to push you? Your partner, friend, or family member can motivate you during your weight loss journey. You can also join online or in-person support groups to connect with people on the same journey.

8. Reward yourself

Losing weight is not an easy feat. That said, it’s okay to reward yourself during the maintenance phase. Choose your treats carefully. Avoid rewards that could move the needle on the scale in the wrong direction or trigger your lack of impulse control. When in doubt, opt for nonfood-related treats. Rewarding yourself is a way to celebrate meeting your goals and motivate you to keep pushing forward.

Other Factors Impacting Your Weight Maintenance Goals

Home and Family

“Many Black women are employed and have other family responsibilities, such as childcare, providing care for other relatives, dinner preparation, and other chores, which leaves them with little or no time for meal planning and exercise,” Dr. Lahey says.

Easy Access to Affordable, Healthy Food

Socioeconomic factors can make it more difficult for Black women to get the resources needed to maintain weight loss,” Kubanych Takyrbashev, MD, PhD, Health & Wellness Advisor at NAO. “For example, many neighborhoods—especially those recognized as food deserts—lack an abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other healthy staples. Convenience stores are everywhere in these areas, but they mostly offer processed foods.”

Cultural Preferences

According to a study published in Eating Behaviors, African American men preferred and were more accepting of Black women who were larger and curvier. With this in mind, some Black women may face societal pressures in their community when it comes to losing and maintaining weight loss.

“There is a pressure to meet cultural beauty standards in some cultures, which emphasize curves and fuller figures,” says Dr. Takyrbashev, “Internal conflict can arise from this contradiction, where losing weight is desired and stigmatized. The fear of judgment or ostracism for pursuing weight loss can dissuade individuals from fully committing to their health journey.”

Bottom line: With all the work you’ve put into losing weight, we’re sure the last thing you want to do is see the numbers rise on the scale. Find the maintenance methods that work for you and apply them.

This story is made possible by an educational grant from Novo Nordisk.

The post 8 Tips for Maintaining Weight Loss appeared first on Black Health Matters.

A viewpoint article from the Journal of the American Medical Association openly criticized the document. “Far from prioritizing ‘the health and well-being of all Americans at all stages of life,’ as Project 2025 claims, the playbook presents an antiscience, anti-data, and antimedicine agenda,” wrote Nicole Huberfeld, JD, Elizabeth McCuskey, J.D., and Michael R. Ulrich, J.D., MPH in a paper published in September 2024. We break the specifics below:

Gut The Affordable Care Act, aka (Obamacare)

Project 2025 asserts, “The Affordable Care Act has made insurance more expensive and less competitive, and the ACA subsidy scheme simply masks these impacts.” For many in our community, the Affordable Care Act is the only way to obtain coverage.

Limit Drug Pricing Negotiations by the Government

The legislative plan states, “States should be the primary regulators of the medical profession, and the federal government should not restrict providers’ ability to discharge their responsibilities or limit their ability to innovate through government pricing controls or irrational Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement schemes.” This could curb the efforts of legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act.

The act names specific drugs that treat common ailments, including diabetes, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, blood cancer, and peripheral artery disease, as mandatory price negotiation selections.

It actively advocates for the act’s repeal. Under the plan, select drugs are subject to mandatory negotiation, which could be expanded.

This “negotiation” program should be repealed, and reforms in Part D that will have a meaningful impact on seniors should be pursued. Other reforms should include eliminating the coverage gap in Part D, reducing the government share in — 466 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise the catastrophic tier, and requiring manufacturers to bear a larger share. Until the IRA is repealed, an Administration that is required to implement it must do so in a way that is prudent with its authority, minimizing the harmful effects of the law’s policies and avoiding even worse unintended consequences.

Bottom line: We might not be able to afford the necessary drugs we need.

Redefine Reproductive Healthcare.

If you have concerns about your fertility, you need to pay attention to Project 2025. In an effort to restrict abortion access, far-reaching legislation is being proposed that could affect access to in vitro fertilization, commonly known as IVF treatment. as IVF treatment. Two years later, the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade in a decision that shocked many. Nabela Noor, a content creator credentialed at this year’s Democratic National Convention, spoke to her concerns about IVF being “For many women, IVF is the only choice. That choice, and more, is at stake in November,” said Noor.

Abortion restrictions have already begun impacting individuals and families. Social media mourned the life of a Georgia mother and medical professional named Amber Thurman, who died due to receiving prolonged reproductive care, according to reporting from ProPublica.

Restrict Gender-Affirming Care.

Project 2025 could directly impact those seeking healthcare that aligns with their gender expression. It says that the “HRSA should withdraw all guidance encouraging Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program service providers to provide controversial “gender transition” procedures or “gender-affirming care. They also don’t want the CDC to collect data on gender identity.

A paper published in the Journal of Nature Human Behavior in September investigated a perceived link between anti-Trans legislation and the high suicide rate among transgender people. The paper found that “The laws that pose barriers to quality healthcare, especially gender-affirming care, may undermine overall life satisfaction by reducing access to necessary healthcare that could save lives.”

Prohibit Planned Parenthood Medicare & Medicaid Funding (affecting healthcare beyond abortion access)

Planned Parenthood offers well-visits, breast cancer screenings, pelvic exams, colposcopy, cervical cancer prevention treatments, and other forms of healthcare that have nothing to do with terminating a pregnancy.

Reinstate Moral Exceptions to the Contraceptive Mandate

On January 30, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the Coverage of Certain Preventive Services Under the Affordable Care Act. It was collectively released by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor, and the Department of the Treasury.”

The announcement declared, “These proposed rules, if finalized, would rescind the moral exemption to cover contraceptive services without cost-sharing while keeping the religious exemption intact and without narrowing its scope or the types of entities or individuals that may claim the religious exemption.”

“HHS should rescind, if finalized, the regulation titled ‘Coverage of Certain Preventive Services Under the Affordable Care Act,’ proposed jointly by HHS, Treasury, and Labor,” according to Project 2025.

What this means. If this happens, people in certain areas might have trouble accessing certain medications. This is because some professionals could be permitted not to dispense them on moral grounds. If you do not live in an area with many pharmacies, this can cause an issue. You would have to learn the telehealth laws in your area to determine your options for getting treatment (but then see what they are proposing about telemedicine below).

Remove the Vaccine Mandate for the Head Start program.

Project 2025 recommends eliminating the Head Start program. However, in the absence of achieving that goal, it suggests, “At the very least, the program’s COVID-19 vaccine and mask requirements should be rescinded.” The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services states, “Head Start programs support children’s growth from birth to age 5 through services centered around early learning and development, health, and family well-being.”

Regulate Telehealth Services.

The Heritage Foundation asserts that the legal definition of “the locus of service” should be “where the provider is located during the telehealth visit rather than where the patient is.” According to them, “With such a definition, states could continue to reserve their powers to establish the standards for licensure and scope of practice.” This could tie the hands of certain telehealth providers.

Doctors Could Own More Hospitals, and Private Medical Plans Would Compete with Medicare Advantage

The plan includes legislative proposals to “remove restrictions on physician-owned hospitals” and “Encourage more direct competition between Medicare Advantage and private plans.”Your

Please keep these proposed changes in mind when you go to the ballot box. Your health may depend on them.

The post 9 Ways Project 2025 Can Impact Our Healthcare appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Check out our Q & A with her below:

How do people find someone like you?

L. Casey Flowers: With the expansion of telehealth in 2020, it’s been much easier to find a dietitian to work with. If you’re working with an endocrinologist for diabetes or a nephrologist for kidney disease, they usually have someone who works directly within their office. Or they can provide you with a direct referral, making things much more accessible. And your insurance company can give you a list of people as well.

No, not all dietitians are created equal. Some nutritionists may be personal trainers who took a course. Licensed dietitian nutritionists (LDNs) must take a licensure exam and meet continuing education hours to maintain their credentials through the state.

However, not all LDNs feel comfortable talking about weight management. Look for those with a CSOWM certification so you know they are Certified Specialists in Obesity and Weight Management. Most people will include it on their website.

What happens during the initial appointment?

LCF: If someone comes to me for weight management, our first visit will last 45 to 60 minutes. Our follow-up visits are generally 15 to 30 minutes. We do your anthropometrics, height, weight, and blood pressure. I will always ask if you have any specific questions because I will have many questions.

I will ask about your medical history. What if you’re on medication that causes weight gain? I must also know your diet history because every attempt lowers your metabolism. So, we will go through your whole diet, exercise, and weight history. Has it always been like this? Or is it an up and down?

The second half of the visit is the best part. “It is not, ‘Here’s this piece of paper, and you follow this plan,’ We take all the information you shared and make a specific plan to meet your lifestyle.

What you said is pertinent. For example, what has happened in the last six months or five years impacts what will happen now. I just had a death in my family or lost my job; that’s important for you to know.

LCF: Extremely. If your stress hormones have increased, and you haven’t done anything to help lower them, your weight will not go anywhere. So, we must ensure we’re addressing those kinds of baseline concerns.

What surprises patients about their first visit with a dietician?

LCF: We start with small changes. We usually focus on three goals to start and then set them up with a monitoring tool, like a food journal or an app, so that we can do regular check-ins. Today, for example, one of my patient’s three goals was to sleep seven hours a night. However, making that improvement will help in the long term.

How does sleep impact weight?

LCF: Sleep is so essential that I never thought I’d have to discuss it as much as I do. Many patients do not get their seven hours in, so their stress hormone, or cortisol, never has a chance to get lowered. When your cortisol is up, it automatically tells your body to start up, regulating your fat, absorption, and growing fat. It also increases your hunger, specifically for specific nutrients that will boost your dopamine. What’s going to do that is tryptophan, which comes from chocolate.

So, if you’re not sleeping well, many people start craving these simple carbohydrates to help get them through the day.

As a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, I always see this as a red flag. If somebody wakes up between 3 and 5 AM, that’s nighttime or reactive hypoglycemia time, and their blood glucose will drop during those hours. They will spontaneously wake up. We must fix their diet at nighttime so that doesn’t happen. Sleep tells you a lot about a person.

How often do you meet with your patients?

LCF: We’re supposed to meet every two weeks for the first month. Then, we can go every two to three months for maintenance. I am the only dietitian in my clinic and serve three clinics. So, I usually see patients every four weeks. We’ll meet once a month. I also do email check-ins to see how my patients are doing.

 When you keep your food journal, please be honest. I do not care. There is a suspicious amount of grilled chicken salad in people’s diets, but not all of us are eating them.

How long is a patient seen?

LCF: It depends on their insurance and what they’re willing to cover. Sometimes, insurance says you only get three hours of diabetes education a year. So, we make that work. Some people have come into the office and needed a brief education. I never saw them again. Other patients I have known for the last half-decade. At this point, invite me to your cookout; we’re family. It depends on what the person needs.

What if a patient came to you recently diagnosed with pre-diabetes? What advice would you give them?

LCF: This is my favorite question. I love pre-diabetes because these patients are in a great spot to make a huge change that will impact the rest of their lives. Many underutilized resources exist, such as the CDC’s Diabetes Prevention Program. Certain health facilities have grants within that program. I always educate my patients on that. Some feel more comfortable doing the one-on-one with me. We work on lifestyle intervention:

• Are you moving your body enough to burn off this extra blood glucose?
• Are you eating in a pattern that you know is conducive?
• Are you having more fiber than sugar?

This isn’t something that you can do well for a month, and now you don’t have pre-diabetes or diabetes; no, your pancreas has officially told us something’s wrong. You will have to pay attention to this forever.

What other conditions do you see in patients often?

LCF: The conditions I see most often include hypertension, high cholesterol, and those trying to get their heart health under control. I work with patients after bariatric surgery. The challenge is that although their stomach anatomy has changed, they see food with the same eyes and brain, so getting support as you make these adjustments is critical. I meet with them every one to two months during the first year.

If you are looking for a Licensed Dietitian, where should you start?

LCF: The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has a website, eatright.org. You can search for a practitioner based on preferences, including zip code, language, certifications, insurance, and in-person and telehealth options. Check directly with your insurance provider to see whether they have any LDNs or RDNs with CSOWM certifications and Google providers in your area with those certifications to see what comes up. Finding the right dietitian could be essential to maintaining weight loss once you achieve your goal.

Supported by an educational grant from Novo Nordisk Inc. 

The post Why You Need to Work With A Dietitian to Achieve Your Weight Loss Goals appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and American Society of Nephrology (ASN) on the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) plans to remove the African American/Black race coefficient from the Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) calculation. This comes after removing the race-based formula for transplantation qualifications a few years ago. This is all good news for us. But let’s ensure your doctors, hospitals, and labs know about these changes and aren’t using old calculations. What does it all mean? Read on.

The Race-Based Formula Explained

Kidney function is measured by a Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) Test. The Black race variable was developed from a study that says we have higher creatinine levels. Dr. Rosas explains.” In the big scheme, the critical number is 20 when people are referred and can be listed for transplant. But the white person would be 19, the Black person would be 22, but the wait list is long for everybody.” But think of it like a Black tax.

In the United States, the wait for a kidney could be between five and six years, depending on the state where you live.

“The problem with being waitlisted is your comorbidities are still progressing. So many patients are removed from the waitlists because they no longer qualify,” Dr. Rosas explains. “A kidney transplant is a surgery, and if your health deteriorates because you have to wait longer, that becomes a problem.”

Advocating For a Race-Free Formula

However, Dr. Rosas points out that medical schools teach students there are no differences between races. “The NFK, the ASN, and OPTN said this is the formula we should use because we didn’t want people to still use the other one. You don’t want to go to your cardiologist and have X kidney function, then you go to your primary care, he’s using another formula, and you have another kidney function; it’s confusing,” she explains. “The NFK has worked really hard with lab companies to have the new formula  reported.” Between 2023-2024, patients who were on the waitlist got an average of 1.7 years of their time back when race was eliminated from the equation.

How Kidneys From Black Donors Were Evaluated

The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network used a mathematical equation called a KDRI to estimate the quality of a donated kidney. Under the old equation, kidneys from Black donors were graded as having poorer organ function than kidneys from White donors. As a result, kidneys donated by Black people were often thrown away. The proposed change was included in OPTN’S 2024 winter public comment period and approved for adoption by the OPTN board in June 2024.

In addition to removing race, the updated KDPI no longer includes whether or not the donor was Hepatitis C Virus positive.

Thanks to therapeutic advances, post-transplant outcomes for HCV-positive deceased donor kidney transplants are similar to those of HCV-negative donor kidneys.”With the new approach, some kidneys that may have otherwise been considered unsuitable for transplantation due to the inclusion of race in the formula will now receive more favorable scores, including some that will now be classified with scores that make them more appropriate for transplant,” said Cynthia Delgado, MD, who participated in the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network task force that led efforts to reconsider the use of race and HCV in the formula.

There are many reasons why a donated kidney may not be viable. “Sometimes they’re not good. If they cannot find a donor, the donor doesn’t come on time, and they don’t have a surgeon. Many things could happen,” Dr. Rosas explains.” Four sequences of transplants happened in the United States: the best sequences of your lower score, the lower the number, the better your kidney is. Unfortunately, many of these kidneys end up in the above 85% range.”

Right now, 90,000 people are waiting for kidney transplants, and 12 people die each day waiting.

 Know More About Your Kidney Disease and Transplant Options

Dr. Rosas suggests taking the following and that you know your options:

If You Have a Family History of Hypertension, Diabetes, Kidney Disease or Heart Disease

Request these two tests from your physician annually to assess your kidney health: creatinine and albumin. Work on reversing the progression of chronic kidney disease before it becomes kidney failure.

Check With Your Lab

Make sure they no longer use race-based testing when testing your Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR).

If You Are On Dialysis (What Have They Said to You About Transplant Eligibility)

If you have been given a brochure, it is time to read it.

If Have Been Turned Down For a Transplant Because Your BMI is too High

Look at other transplant centers; each center sets its eligibility requirements.

The post What’s Race Got to Do With Kidney Donations & Transplants? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

We depend on our kidneys to remove extra fluid and waste from our blood. But if you have CKD, your kidneys may not work as well as they should. Over time, CKD can worsen and develop into kidney failure. People who have kidney failure depend on dialysis to help filter their blood.

Most medications are removed from your body through the kidneys. So, if you have CKD, it’s essential to know which medications are safe for you to take. It’s common to take over-the-counter (OTC) medications and supplements. But it’s also important to talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist to help you determine which OTCs and supplements are best for you.

Below are some medication tips for people with CKD.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

These medications help decrease pain and swelling (inflammation) and reduce fever. NSAIDs are generally safe and effective when used short-term — no more than ten days for pain or three days for fever. You must also take the recommended dose as listed on the manufacturer’s label. Taking NSAIDs at higher doses and for more extended periods can increase your risk of kidney damage.

Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider if you have pain or swelling that doesn’t disappear after a few days. Together, you can determine safer options to help manage your condition and protect your kidneys.

Examples of OTC NSAIDs include Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and Naproxen (Aleve).

Antacids

People take antacids to help treat heartburn, problems with digestion (indigestion), and upset stomach. These medications are also found in your local pharmacy and should be taken for no more than 1 to 2 weeks. Long-term use of antacids in people with chronic kidney disease can cause elevated levels of aluminum and magnesium in your body. This is due to the decreased ability of your kidneys to filter your blood.

Examples of Antacids include aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide/simethicone (Maalox, Mylanta)

Herbal Supplements

Herbal supplements may be taken for various conditions but aren’t FDA-regulated like most medications. So, if you have kidney problems, talk with your healthcare provider to help you determine which supplements are most appropriate for you. According to the National Kidney Foundation, people with chronic kidney disease should avoid certain supplements. These include (but are not limited to):

• Cat’s Claw
• Creatine
• Goldenrod
•  Java Tea Leaf
•  Licorice Root
• Yohimbe

The post Chronic Kidney Disease & OTC Medicine (What You Need to Know) appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Affectionately known as “The Finisher,” Mister Cee was previously a disc jockey on Hot 97 and a fixture on the party scene in New York and New Jersey. Up until the time of his death, he was spinning at 94.7 The Block. The latter released a statement on social media reacting to LeBrun’s sudden passing in a joint post with another host at the station, Shelley Wade.

“Yesterday was such an emotionally traumatizing day. For hours, we were concerned because we couldn’t reach Mister Cee…and then we got confirmation that he had passed away,” the statement read. They posted a still image of the iconic Apollo Theater, a loving farewell tribute to LeBrun, acknowledging the gap in the culture he left behind.

According to the American Journal of Public Health, “Black men continue to have substantially lower life expectancy at birth than Black women and White women and men” and “There is a lag in increases in survival between the ages of 45 and 75 years for Blacks with the largest gap in survival for Black men.” In 2019, NPR reported that “Black men have the lowest life expectancy of any major demographic group in the U.S.”

LeBrun is not the only legendary producer or artist to leave the limelight tragically early. Biz Markie died at 57 as well after suffering a severe stroke. COVID-19 claimed the life of DJ Kay Slay at 55. The sun set on Phife Dawg’s life due to diabetes complications at just 45. Heart failure led to the death of Craig Mack at 46. Their absence reflects the truth that fame does not isolate Black men from devastatingly short life expectancies. Pioneers in hip-hop like Mister Cee, who worked closely with the late Notorious B.I.G. and Big Daddy Kane, arrived on the scene before the maturation of the genre’s financial potential, placing them in a different economic position than the moguls who succeeded them.

Miss Jones, another iconic radio personality, commented on the need for hip-hop to have a health fund to help provide access to care for those called to create and promote the art form during an interview with PIX 11. She implied that a duty of care is owed to hip-hop people who paved the way and that a fund should be established. The same argument has been made for legends in other industries, including professional sports. Rappers Method Man, Fat Joe, French Montana, Busta Rhymes, and Chuck D have called for greater transparency in healthcare pricing, calling on Congress to pass legislation preventing opaque business practices.

Like many creative careers, those who dedicate their life to hip-hop often have trouble accessing health insurance consistently. D.J.s are among them. Even those lucky enough to find consistent work that offers traditional health care plans frequently find that later in their careers, they are playing catch up. Leaving a large chunk of time that they are uninsured or underinsured creates a prickly legacy of barriers to treatment. This lets routine and preventable ailments go left untreated.

The post The Sudden Death Of Mister Cee Highlights The Need For Healthcare in Hip-Hop appeared first on Black Health Matters.

‘Some people’s bodies reject dialysis. And thank God that mine accepts it, and I can live… If I didn’t go to dialysis, I wouldn’t live probably longer than a week or two, “Robinson told The Daily Mail. “So it’s serious, can’t miss a day.” The Three Time Dunk champion has been hospitalized several times due to painful vomiting. When Robinson was drafted and ended up with the Knicks in 2005, he was told his blood pressure was high. Follow-up tests showed his kidneys were failing, yet he went on to have a career that spanned 11 seasons.

We wanted to know more about the factors at play regarding Black men and kidney disease, so we went to Dr. Kirk Campbell, President-Elect of the National Kidney Foundation, and Irene and Dr. Arthur M. Fishberg Professor of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital.

BHM: Nate Robinson isn’t the first athlete we’ve heard of who battled kidney disease. What factors are at play that lead to their diagnosis?

Dr. Campbell: An active lifestyle with healthy dietary practices is important for overall and kidney health. However, individuals can still get kidney disease due to non-lifestyle related reasons. These could include genetic predispositions, hypertension, diabetes, and other systemic medical conditions.

BHM: Are there genetic predispositions at play?

Dr. Campbell: Approximately 10% of patients with chronic kidney disease have identifiable causative single-gene mutations. This does not include even more common genetic modifiers of kidney disease. An example is mutations in the gene APOL1, encoding Apolipoprotein L1. Approximately 14% of African Americans have APOL1 high-risk genotypes. These mutations account for up to 70% of nondiabetic kidney disease in African Americans and up to 40% of end-stage kidney disease requiring dialysis in this demographic.

BHM: Are Black men more predisposed to kidney disease than Black women?

Dr. Campbell: Black men in the US are the demographic group with the highest lifetime risk of kidney failure. A recent report found that though Black Men made up a little over 6% of the US population, they accounted for almost 17% of chronic kidney disease cases. The reasons are multi-factorial and include potentially higher rates and variable management of kidney disease risk factors, including hypertension and diabetes. Access to care and socioeconomic factors could also contribute.

In the meantime, Robinson is holding on for when he feels healthy and normal to spend time with his family and children. And there is still time for Robinson to find a compatible donor.

The post Ex-NBA Veteran Nate Robinson Desperately Needs a Kidney Transplant appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Type 2 diabetes disproportionately impacts the Black community. African Americans are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with the condition and at least twice as likely to be hospitalized and experience long-term complications including death, when compared to non-Hispanic whites

Factors that may contribute to this health disparity include genetics, socioeconomic factors, and access to quality healthcare. Prevention and management are key factors to reduce the impact of type 2 diabetes among African Americans and improve outcomes.

You can navigate your type 2 diabetes diagnosis by understanding the risks and making informed choices. There are several adverse health consequences of type 2 diabetes but many of them may be preventable.

Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes

In general, type 2 diabetes control is evaluated by measuring routine blood sugar readings. Blood sugar goals may vary slightly based on patient-specific factors such as age and presence of other health problems. There are two ranges for blood sugar goals.

• Fasting (before meal): 80-130 mg/dL
• After a meal (2 hours): less than 180 mg/dL

The A1c test is a blood test that is used to measure the 3-month average of your blood sugars. It is used to provide additional insight into diabetes control. A1c is expressed as a percentage with a recommended A1c target of < 7% for most people with diabetes.

Consequences of Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes

If left uncontrolled, type 2 diabetes can result in long term consequences over time. These health risks involve various parts of the body and can greatly impact quality of life and overall health.

Long-term complications of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes include:

Heart problems

Heart disease is the most fatal complication associated with type 2 diabetes. People living with diabetes are two times more likely to have a stroke or heart disease than people who don’t have diabetes. Symptoms of heart disease include shortness of breath, tiredness, chest pain, and numbness in your arms or legs. You can maintain your heart health by managing your diabetes.

Kidney damage

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney damage resulting in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our kidneys serve as blood filters for our bodies. High blood sugar levels can be present in uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and cause the kidneys to have to work harder, diminishing their function and causing damage long term.  CKD often develops slowly, and it may be difficult to identify symptoms of kidney disease until it’s too late. You can prevent kidney disease by keeping your blood sugar at goal.

Nerve damage

Nerve damage affects nearly 50% of people living with type 2 diabetes. The most common type is peripheral neuropathy which impacts nerves in the hands, feet, legs, and arms. Symptoms include tingling, pain, increased sensitivity, or numbness of the affected area. Controlling your blood sugar is the best way to prevent nerve damage. You should also have foot exams completed routinely and help identify issues proactively.

Vision issues

Diabetes can damage your eyes over time. It is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults 18-64 years of age. People of color are at higher risk of going blind due to diabetes complications. While there aren’t any signs or symptoms to monitor for, you can be proactive by completing an annual eye exam to monitor for eye disease and delay vision loss.

Mental health

Living with diabetes and managing your condition can come with an overload of different emotions. You may feel anxious, worried, discouraged, and frustrated. Address mental health concerns with your health care provider and consider speaking with a therapist or counselor if needed

Take Control

You can lower your risk of diabetes-related complications by making healthy lifestyle changes, monitoring your readings regularly and working to keep them at goal, taking your medications as prescribed, and following up with your doctor regularly. Medication therapy plays a major role in lowering your risk, especially for those at high risk or who have prediabetes.

Take control of your health and avoid the consequences of type 2 diabetes through informed choices, regular checkups, taking your medications, and committing to a healthy lifestyle.

Lilly is also working to help you take control of your health through clinical trial participation. Click here to learn more.

References

• American Diabetes Association. Statistics About Diabetes
• United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health. Diabetes and African Americans
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Manage Blood Sugar
• American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Complications
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes and Mental Health

The post Avoiding Consequences of Type 2 Diabetes appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Anthony Anderson is a paid spokesperson for Novo Nordisk and this article is sponsored by Novo Nordisk.

Can you tell us about your experience with type 2 diabetes?
I was first diagnosed at age 29. I was familiar with the symptoms, such as excessive thirst and frequent bathroom trips,¹ but one night, no matter how hard I tried to quench my thirst, I couldn’t. That’s when I knew something was going on. I went to see my doctor and after tests showed my glucose level was off the charts, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It was a reality check. Immediately I thought, okay, where did I go wrong? What did I do that led to this? What do I do now? At first, I went on medication and followed a plan, but looking back, I didn’t take the disease too seriously. I was the first person in my family to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, followed by my mother, Mama Doris, and, finally, the father who raised me.

What did you do after you were diagnosed?
I made a lifestyle change, starting with being conscious about my health, getting fit, and listening to my healthcare professionals. No matter what your lifestyle is like, prioritizing healthy eating and exercise takes a lot—but you can also start small and go from there. At first, I took the stairs instead of the elevator. I walked around my neighborhood and ate healthy foods, but also took the advice of my doctor to enjoy things in moderation before phasing them out of my diet. Over time, it made a difference. I’ve learned there’s no secret to type 2 diabetes—you’re either managing it, or it’s hurting you.

How did you “get real” about your diabetes?
My diagnosis made me think back to my childhood. I remembered things about my dad’s life: the late-night bathroom breaks, the midday sleeping and being lethargic. I realized he had diabetes my entire life and had never been diagnosed. Ultimately, we lost him to cardiovascular disease. It wasn’t until his death that we learned he had been living with type 2 diabetes all this time, completely unmanaged. It was a tragic loss and made me think, “I don’t want to do that to my family. I don’t want to become a statistic.” That’s when I got real about managing my type 2 diabetes.

What do you want people to know about type 2 diabetes and its associated risks?
Most importantly, learn what puts you at risk of getting type 2 diabetes. This includes family history, obesity, age, whether you live an active lifestyle or are part of a high-risk ethnic group, like me as a Black man.¹
My doctor told me that having type 2 diabetes also puts you at increased risk of CKD and experiencing a major cardiovascular event like stroke, heart attack, or death^2-4 Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in people living with type 2 diabetes.⁷ On top of that, about 40% of people with type 2 diabetes live with CKD,⁸ yet nearly 90% of adults with CKD don’t even know they have it.⁹

Since your diagnosis, what were you most surprised to learn about the impact of the disease?
As a Black man, I felt especially surprised to learn that certain ethnic groups are considered high-risk. The Black community is disproportionately impacted by type 2 diabetes and the risks associated with it. ^5,6 Black Americans are more than three times as likely as White Americans to have kidney failure¹⁰ and six times more likely than White Americans to get kidney failure from their high blood pressure.¹¹ It’s scary stuff.

As someone living with type 2 diabetes, are there other long-term effects you have discussed with your doctor?
Yes. I’ve learned that, if not managed over time, high blood sugar can cause harm to your heart and kidneys.¹² The longer you have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, the more likely you are to have kidney damage.¹³ It’s all connected, but there are ways to lower the risks and by educating yourself, and talking to your doctor, you’ve already taken the first step!

To anyone who has type 2 diabetes or knows someone who does, what would you tell them?
Get proactive and GET REAL! Talk to a healthcare professional to learn the risks for yourself and share them with your family or community—someone might be pre-diabetic or going through the same things. Living with type 2 diabetes and managing it successfully is a daily commitment that’s worth it. I always say, I’d rather live with this disease than die from it. It’s up to each of us to understand type 2 diabetes and associated risks, get the information we need and talk to our family members.
If you or someone you know is living with or at risk of type 2 diabetes, it’s time to get real about the link between type 2 diabetes, CKD and CVD. Talk to your healthcare professional about ways to manage your risks, including testing and treating early, managing your blood pressure and understanding genetic factors.
To learn more about type 2 diabetes, the increased risk of CKD and CVD, or to help you get real about your diabetes, visit www.GetRealAboutDiabetes.com.

– – –

References:
1. Cleveland Clinic. Type 2 Diabetes. Accessed October 8, 2024.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21501-type-2-diabetes.
2. American Diabetes Association. Cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Accessed September 18, 2024. https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/complications/cardiovascular-disease.
3. de Boer IH, Rue TC, Hall YN, et al. Temporal trends in the prevalence of diabetic kidney disease in the United States. JAMA. 2011;305:2532-2539.
4. Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Diabetes Work Group. KDIGO 2020 clinical practice guideline for diabetes management in chronic kidney disease. Kidney Int. 2020;98:S1–S115. Published May 15, 2020. Accessed June 24, 2024.
5. Saab KR., Kendrick J, Yracheta JM, Lanaspa M A, Pollard M, Johnson R J. New insights on the risk for cardiovascular disease in African Americans: the role of added sugars. J Am Soc Nephrol.,2015;26(2):247–257. DOI:10.1681/ASN.2014040393
6. Osayande A. Assessing the relationship between racism in medicine, medical mistrust and cardiovascular disease among Black American adults. (2024). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 4355. https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/4355
7. American Heart Association. Target: type 2 diabetes. Accessed September 18, 2024. https://www.heart.org/en/professional/quality-improvement/target-type-2-diabetes/.
8. Feng XS, Farej R, Dean BB, et al. CKD prevalence among patients with and without type 2 diabetes: regional differences in the United States. Kidney Med. 2021;4(1):100385.doi:10.1016/j.xkme.2021.09.003
9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic kidney disease in the United States, 2023.Accessed October 4, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/kidney-disease/php/data-research/index.html.
10. National Kidney Foundation. Race, ethnicity, & kidney disease. Published January 7, 2016. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/minorities-KD#:~:text=Black%20or%20African%20Americans%20are%20more%20than%203.
11. American Kidney Fund (AKF). Race/ethnicity – kidney disease risk factors. Published October 29, 2021. www.kidneyfund.org. https://www.kidneyfund.org/all-about-kidneys/risk-factors/raceethnicity-kidney-disease-risk-factors.
12. National Kidney Foundation. Diabetes and kidney disease (stages 1-4). Accessed July 2, 2024. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/Diabetes-and-Kidney-Disease-Stages1-4
13. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diabetic kidney disease. Accessed June 24, 2024. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health- information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/diabetic-kidney- disease#:~:text=The%20A1C%20goal%20for%20many,check%20your%20blood%20glucose%20levels.

Novo Nordisk is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S.
© 2025 Novo Nordisk All rights reserved. US24NNM00144 March 2025

The post Q&A with Anthony Anderson: “I Got Real About my Type 2 Diabetes—and I Never Looked Back” appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Prediabetes occurs when your blood sugar levels are elevated, but not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes. It serves as a warning sign that you should begin taking action to avoid potential long-term consequences of uncontrolled blood sugar such as heart, kidney, nerve, and eye issues to name a few If you have prediabetes, taking action today for a healthier lifestyle may help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. The National Diabetes Prevention Program aims to help people at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes lower their risk.

As prediabetes progresses, the pancreas (responsible for releasing insulin) may struggle to keep up with the demand of managing rising blood sugar levels which can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes. The hormone insulin plays an important role in regulating the amount of sugar in your blood. It allows the cells to then use this sugar as an energy source, or it can be stored for later use. Living with prediabetes presents an opportunity to take control of your health and prevent disease progression.

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

Adapting your lifestyle while living with type 2 diabetes is a necessity. The good news is that prediabetes can be managed by making meaningful changes to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Awareness

Prediabetes awareness is an important part of preventing type 2 diabetes. Being aware that you have the condition presents the opportunity to be proactive and make positive lifestyle changes.

Prediabetes can easily go undetected as there are no clear symptoms.  Some risk factors that may put you at a higher risk of developing prediabetes include carrying excess weight, your age (45 or older), having an immediate relative with type 2 diabetes, a personal history of gestational diabetes, and a personal history of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy, and PCOS is a common hormonal disorder that affects women during their reproductive years.

People of color including African Americans are also at a higher risk. If any of these risk factors apply to you or if you have concerns regarding your blood sugar, speak with your doctor to address your concerns and have your blood sugar levels monitored.

Lifestyle Changes

Lose weight: Losing even a small amount of weight (about 10 pounds) can reduce blood pressure in many overweight people. It may even prevent high blood pressure.

Increase physical activity: Try to get 30 minutes of physical activity at least 5 days each week or as recommended by your healthcare provider. Limit the amount of time you spend sitting down to less than 90 minutes at any one time.

Follow healthy eating habits. What you eat can affect your entire body, including your heart, brain, skin and bones. Your body needs healthy food to be at its best. Eating smaller portions, drinking more water, and adding more fruits and vegetables are all ways for you to eat healthier

To learn what the right amounts are for you, try the personalized MyPlate Plan at https://www.myplate.gov/myplate-plan

Prevention is Possible

Diabetes can affect many parts of your body. When blood sugar stays high, your eyes, heart, kidneys, and nerves can be harmed. Taking good care of yourself today may help you avoid problems in the future.

Lilly is also working to improve outcomes in patients with prediabetes click here to learn more.

References

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Diabetes Statistics
• Prediabetes – Your Chance to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
• What you need to know about prediabetes
• Diabetes and your health: Caring for your heart while managing diabetes
• Making healthy food choices
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Preventing Type 2 Diabetes
• Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020 – 2025, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025
• How diabetes can affect your body

The post Type 2 Diabetes Prevention: Adapting Your Lifestyle While Living With Prediabetes appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) notes that even if the organs that remove waste and extra fluid from our bodies stop functioning for a short time, it can result in life-threatening complications. But when 85-90% of the kidney function is gone, it is categorized as kidney failure.

After being diagnosed, Alana’s priorities shifted. “I had to make a lot of changes,” she said. “A lot of doctor appointments, going to a specialist, going to see a nephrologist. I also had to go on a no-sodium diet.”

Alana also needed a transplant. Thankfully, her brother was a match and became her donor. “There were signs of rejection after the first transplant. Doctors thought there was an infection, so they cut the initial incision and put antibiotics on the infected area. It took about a full month before I felt like my regular self again,” she says.

The Second Time Around

But the kidney she received from her brother began to fail after ten years. She needed another transplant. Although Alana had a second donor lined up, it didn’t work out. While she awaited another donor, Alana was on dialysis.

Reggie, her husband, remembers feeling helpless as he watched the toll it took on her. “I could not help my wife physically. I helped around the house because she was very fatigued and had lost weight rapidly. I tried to support her overall, around the house, and keep her spirits up.”

But Reggie wanted to do more. He was tested and found out he was a match for his wife. However, he was initially rejected because he was overweight. So, Reggie had to make significant changes in his life—notably his diet. “I had to lose weight to qualify as a donor. I gave up the pizza, burgers, and junk food,” he said. “Looking at the end goal was enough motivation. I lost 18 pounds. And for the most part, have kept off the weight.”

After Reggie lost the weight, doctors deemed him a fit donor for Alana. But he was undergoing a major procedure, so he didn’t take it lightly. Luckily, Reggie had a resource to turn to: his brother-in-law, who shared his experience with the transplant process. “Having someone to talk to during the process made things much easier,” he said. Reggie believes getting that insight helped make the process more seamless.

The Transplant Recovery

Alana says that the transplant recovery process was challenging. She was tender and sore for about two weeks after her procedure. “My recovery was painful, but previous complications were a factor,” she explains.

But even though the recovery process may have been challenging, Reggie says that seeing Alana resume a normal life makes it all worth it. “My expectations were exceeded once we both healed,” Reggie said. “My wife got her energy back, and her quality of life improved tremendously. She regained her freedom. She always had a zest for life.”

Why We Should Consider Becoming Living Donors

“Donating a kidney is an honor. Just having the ability to make someone’s life better,” Reggie said. “My life was not affected at all. It has been almost seven years, and I have had no health issues or mental regrets. I encourage people to donate because you can change someone’s life.”

Alana agrees. “What’s better than saving someone else’s life and giving them hope? Some people feel hopeless, and you can change that. That is especially important in the African-American community, which has the highest percentage of kidney disease.”

Preparing To Donate or Receive a Kidney

Finding a compatible donor can be a complex process, compounded by several factors ranging from insurance, communication issues with HCPs, and cultural and societal barriers. Black patients on the kidney transplant list used to wait three to five years. However, recent changes in policies on transplant equity have altered the median time for a kidney transplant in our community to 1.7 years.

Alana suggests that potential donors and recipients conduct their due diligence. “Educate yourself, find resources in your neighborhood, and understand what it takes to get to the transplant table and what life will be like afterward,” she explains. “And for recipients: make sure you are transplant-ready when the time comes and be fully prepared to receive and take care of your kidney.”

Alana says she understands the feeling of hopelessness many waiting for a transplant may feel. But the key to survival is finding something to hang onto. “In the blink of an eye, your life can change,” she said. “When you lose hope, your body can pick up on that. When you give up hope, your body can receive that message, so stay positive.”

Resources That Can Help

The Kidney Transplant Connectors program is a Sanofi-sponsored patient educational event that brings kidney donors and transplant recipients together to share their personal experiences and facts about transplants to inspire potential donors and recipients. Another great resource is the Kidney Learning Center.

Sanofi is a proud supporter of National Kidney Month and is raising awareness and empowering patients with kidney disease.

The post When Kidney Transplants Become a Family Affair appeared first on Black Health Matters.

There are many known types of genetic kidney disease. Some are common, and others are extremely rare. Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is a common genetic kidney disease passed down in families that can lead to long-term kidney damage.

“I was in the dark and uneducated about how [PKD] can be passed down through generations. The fact that it was hereditary was unknown to me and others in my family.” -PKD Foundation advocate Tamara Walker.

The PKD Foundation is the only organization in the United States solely dedicated to finding treatments and a cure for polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and to improving the lives of those it affects. African Americans are at an increased risk of experiencing poor outcomes related to PKD, and the PKD Foundation is committed to addressing racial disparities in PKD care.

What Is Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease?

ADPKD is characterized by the development of fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys, which can lead to gradual kidney growth and, eventually, kidney failure. It affects children and adults, and it may also impact those with no known family history of the disease.

ADPKD is caused by genetic changes. It affects individuals of all ethnicities. There is limited research that focuses on the prevalence of ADPKD among African Americans, but clinical research suggests that unique challenges related to the disease do exist.

Various factors, such as delayed diagnosis, limited access to healthcare, and genetic variations, may contribute to the development and management of ADPKD in African Americans.

If you have a parent affected by ADPKD, there is a 50 percent chance that you inherited the ADPKD gene. If you have ADPKD, there is a 50 percent chance you will pass it on to your children. This risk can continue throughout several generations, so having conversations about your family’s health history is important.

Family conversations are crucial for improving the Black community’s early detection and overall healthcare outcomes.

What are the symptoms to look for?

What are the symptoms to look for? ADPKD is often missed due to limited symptoms, especially early on. Some symptoms may be mistaken for other conditions. Because ADPKD is a progressive disease, symptoms usually get worse over time and can vary in their severity. Click here to learn more about the symptoms of ADPKD.

As ADPKD progresses, it can lead to a decline in kidney function over time. Early detection and symptom management are key.

What comes after diagnosis?

Being diagnosed with a new condition can feel overwhelming, but there is hope. It may be difficult to know where to turn with your questions and concerns, but learning as much about your condition as possible can help empower you to proactively manage your disease and maintain a high quality of life.

You can connect with the PKD Foundation’s support team, have your questions answered, and access resources to address your concerns by dialing 844-PKD-HOPE (844-753-4673).

Can I slow the disease progression?

Slowing the progression of ADPKD involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and regular medical monitoring by your healthcare team.

In general, you can slow ADPKD progression by:

• Controlling your blood pressure
• Adopting a balanced, heart-healthy diet
• Staying well-hydrated
• Engaging in regular physical activity
• Adhering to a recommended treatment plan

Dialysis and transplant are terms you may hear frequently; however, these methods are typically used in patients who progress to end-stage kidney disease. If you have been recently diagnosed with ADPKD, click here to learn more and gain access to additional resources.

Want to stay informed and receive news and updates about ADPKD for yourself or a loved one? Click here to subscribe to PKD News.

Sponsored by the PKD Foundation and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals

The post What You Need to Know About a Rare Genetic Kidney Disease appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Maya Feller, a registered dietitian, is making wellness inclusive and accessible for all. Learn how she found this passion, what inclusive nutrition means, and three wellness tips you can start using today.

Finding Her Purpose

Feller first learned how important personalized nutrition was while training for a marathon.

“My running partner ended up in the hospital twice. The first time, she was over-hydrated. Then, she was under-hydrated. I researched running nutrition and found an entire field dedicated to it. I decided to become a dietitian and fell in love with nutrition science,” said Feller. “When I started working in the community, I felt such a sense of purpose. I decided to focus on inclusive nutrition. No community deserves to be left out of the wellness conversation.”

She turned this dream into a reality by opening a practice to help people of all backgrounds manage or revert chronic conditions. Feller considers social determinants of health in her day-to-day work with patients.

“Wellness looks different for everyone. Everything from your zip code to education and finances impacts the ability to live your best life,” said Feller. “Wellness doesn’t mean free from disease. If you have a chronic condition, wellness means managing it well.”

NKF is here to help no matter where you are in your kidney health journey. Join the Kidney Learning Center to find the online course you need to take the next step with confidence.

Providing Inclusive Nutrition

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is at the core of Feller’s practice. These evidence-based protocols help people manage conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, two leading causes of kidney disease. In some cases, MNT involves medication and lifestyle changes like exercising more.

Lifestyle changes can be hard enough, but for some, they may feel insurmountable.

“If you don’t have access to affordable, nourishing foods, you may have to rely on items with excess added sugar, salt, and fat. These items can increase chronic conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. If you’re tired from working multiple jobs, what can you put on the table that is easy, affordable, and nutritious?” Feller asked, “How do we work in that framework to put food on the plate that supports metabolic health?”

The answer to this difficult question is getting creative and starting small.

“Start by buying frozen or canned vegetables. Incorporate shelf-stable, nutrient-rich items like beans and rice into your diet,” said Feller. “If it’s safe, go out and move your body even if only for ten minutes. Take a few minutes to leave your office building or house to go sit in the sun and stretch your body.”

Over time, these smaller changes can add up and make even big goals like lowering blood pressure more achievable.

“If you can, reach out to a trauma-educated mental healthcare provider. You deserve the help.” Feller said, “The emotional component of this work is just as important as the nutritional and physical.”

Do you need support? NKF Peers may help. We can connect you with another experienced kidney patient to talk about kidney disease, dialysis, transplant, or living kidney donation.

Feller’s Top Nutrition Tips

Inspired to improve your own health and wellness? Feller has three tips to get started: rest, hydrate, and add more plant-based foods to your diet.

1. Focus on rest

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, getting enough sleep has many benefits.

The benefits of sleep include:

• Getting sick less often
• Staying at a healthy weight
• Lowering the risk of chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease
• Reducing stress
• Improving mood

But rest involves more than sleep.

“Prioritizing emotional well-being is imperative when thinking about health and wellness. That can look like taking the space to rest and relax,” said Feller. “Look at how rest fits into your life and determine what it looks like to you.”

Rest takes many forms, including doing a hobby you enjoy, moving your body, or meditating. It depends on what activities you enjoy and the types of experiences that fill up your cup.

Here are eight stress-management techniques to try.

2. Hydrate properly

As Feller learned early in her journey, drinking the right amount of water is crucial. Too much or too little can impact how the body works and even cause kidney damage. There’s no fixed rule for how much water everyone should drink. It depends on many factors, including;

• Age
• Climate
• Amount of exercise
• Pregnancy
• Chronic conditions

“Everyone’s hydration needs are different but be mindful of sugar-sweetened beverages and alcohol.” Feller said, “These two things can impact anyone’s blood sugar and pressure. Speak with a healthcare provider to determine what proper hydration looks like to you.”

Learn how to be water-wise.

3. Eat more plant-based foods

A recent study found that eating more plant- and less animal-based foods can lower the risk of or slow the decline of kidney disease.

“Lean into the fiber and nutrient-rich foods from your childhood. What is recognizable, enjoyable, and accessible to you? This could be anything from jicama, plantains, or beans.” Feller said, “Eat the rainbow. Berries, nuts, and seeds are fantastic, but there are many more options, like quinoa, millet, teff, and red, black, or wild rice.”

Check with a healthcare provider before changing your diet–especially if you have kidney disease or other chronic conditions. They will help you determine which plant-based foods are right for you.

Find a registered kidney dietitian near you.

This story appears through our partnership with The National Kidney Foundation.

The post Registered Dietician Maya Feller On Inclusive Wellness and Nutrition appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Get a referral

Talk to your primary care physician. You can also ask family, friends, and other health-care providers for recommendations. After you narrow your list, call each nephrologist’s office and ask for a consultation appointment to interview the doctor.

Do your homework.

Board certification is one of the most crucial factors when choosing a nephrologist. This tells you the doctor has the necessary training, skills, and experience to provide the appropriate care. When nephrologists are board-certified, they have gone beyond the minimal standards to be knowledgeable and effective in their field, as stated by the American Board of Physician Specialists. Additionally, you should confirm the nephrologist has no history of malpractice claims or disciplinary actions. To do this, find the nephrologist’s medical school, training hospital, and certifications on state websites.

Consider experience.

The more experience a nephrologist has with a condition or procedure, the better your results will likely be. Ask how many patients with your specific condition the nephrologist has treated. If you know you need a specific procedure, ask how many of the procedures the doctor has performed and learn about complication rates, the complications the doctor has encountered, and your own risk of complications.

Research the hospital.

Your doctor’s hospital is your hospital. For this reason, the quality of care at the hospital and dialysis center should be considered when the nephrologist can provide care. Hospital quality is important because patients at top-rated hospitals have fewer complications and better survival rates, according to Healthgrades. Additionally, consider whether the hospital’s location is important to you. Frequent tests, treatments, or follow-up visits may mean you need a convenient location.

Check patient satisfaction surveys.

Reading what other people have to say about a doctor can provide insight into how a doctor practices medicine, as well as how their medical practice is operated. Patient satisfaction surveys typically ask people about their experience with scheduling appointments, wait times, office environment, and office staff friendliness. This can help you learn about how much patients trust a specific doctor, how much time they spend with them, and how well the doctor answers questions.

Know what your insurance covers.

You may need to choose a nephrologist in your plan to receive the most insurance benefits and pay the least out-of-pocket. It is important to consider a nephrologist’s credentials, experience, outcomes, and hospital quality in your plan.

 To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the top African American nephrologists in the country in the Black Health Matters Nephrologist Guide. Is one near you? 

1. Kirk Campbell, M.D.

Dr. Kirk Cambell is the Irene and Dr. Arthur M. Fishberg Professor of Medicine as well as the Professor of Pharmacological Sciences and the inaugural Director of the Mount Sinai Center for Kidney Disease Innovation in New York. Dr. Campbell is also the principal investigator (PI) of Mount Sinai’s Kidney Precision Project Recruitment Site. With all his experience, Dr. Campbell understands his patients’ challenges and works hard to provide effective healthcare.

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029
(212) 241-6500 

2. Olayiwola Ayodeji, M.D. 

Nephrologist Olayiwola Ayodeji, M.D., directs the Clinical Research Program at Peninsula Kidney Associates. He has led the development of the Clinical Trials Program at Peninsula Kidney Associates and served as a principal investigator (PI) on many research trials. He is the Medical Director of Davita Newmarket Dialysis Center and the Davita Home Training Center. He is board-certified in nephrology and internal medicine.

Peninsula Kidney Associates
501 Butler Farm Road, Suite I, Hampton, Virginia 23666
(757) 251-7469 

3. Paul W. Crawford, M.D.

Paul W. Crawford is a nephrologist and hypertension specialist in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Crawford is a graduate of Loyola University of Chicago and Stritch School of Medicine, and he has been practicing for more than 40 years.

Associates in Nephrology
10801 S Western Ave, Suite 201, Chicago, Illinois 60643
(773) 770-4824 

4. Crystal Gadegbeku, M.D.

A graduate of the University of Virginia, Crystal Gadegbeku, M.D., is a nephrology specialist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is affiliated with multiple hospitals and centers such as Temple University Hospital and Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Gadegbeku is the Chair of the Department of Nephrology in the Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute of the Cleveland Clinic Health System. She has been involved in the National Institute of Health clinical and translational research. Dr. Gadegbeku’s areas of clinical interest include the management of hypertension and cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Temple University Department of Nephrology
3401 North Broad Street, Suite 100, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140
(215) 707-0744 

5. Eddie Greene, M.D.

Mayo Clinic internist and nephrologist Eddie Green, M.D., treats chronic kidney disease, heart disease, and kidney cancer. His interests include chronic renal failure, cardiovascular disease in chronic renal failure, and renal cell cancer.

Mayo Clinic
200 1st St SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
(507) 284-2511

6. Susanne Nicholas, M.D.

Dr. Nicholas is board-certified in internal medicine and nephrology. She is a tenured Professor of Medicine and Clinical Hypertension Specialist in the Division of Nephrology. She chairs the Nephrology Racial and Health Equity Committee at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She has joint appointments in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and the Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Policy.

UCLA Specialty/Endocrinology
200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite 565, Los Angeles, California 90095
310) 267-2555

7. Carmen Peralta, M.D.

Clinical investigator and association professor of medicine Carmen Peralta, M.D., is co-founder and executive director of the Kidney Health Research Collaborative. She is a leader in the epidemiology of kidney disease and hypertension. A graduate of Johns Hopkins University, her research activity focuses on three areas: 1) approaches to improving care of people with kidney disease and reducing racial and ethnic disparities; 2) hypertension, arterial stiffness, and kidney disease; and 3) biomarkers for detection, classification, and risk of early kidney disease.

University of California San Francisco School of Medicine
1600 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, California 94115
(415) 476-2173  

8. Neil Powe, M.D.

A graduate of Harvard Medical School, Neal Powe, M.D., is head of the University of California San Francisco Medicine Service at the Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. This is one of the leading medicine departments in a public hospital with strong basic, clinical, and health services research programs focused on major diseases affecting diverse patients locally, nationally, and globally. His primary intellectual pursuits involve kidney disease patient-oriented research, epidemiology, and outcomes and effectiveness research.

University of California San Francisco School of Medicine
1001 Potrero Avenue, Room 5F39, San Francisco, California 94110
(628) 206-3465 

9. Crystal Tyson, M.D.

Located in Durham, North Carolina, Crystal Tyson, M.D., specializes in nephrology and renal medicine. Dr. Tyson’s clinical focus is to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease and reduce complications from cardiovascular disease with lifestyle modification. She enjoys building relationships with her patients and collaborating with them on how they can best accomplish their health goals.

Duke Nephrology South Durham
Duke Health Center
234 Crooked Creek Parkway, Suite 400, Durham, North Carolina 27713
(919) 620-5300 

10. Clenton Coleman, M.D.

Located in Teaneck, New Jersey, Clenton Coleman M.D. specializes in Internal Medicine and Nephrology. Dr. Coleman treats conditions including hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease, acute kidney injury, and proteinuria. Dr. Coleman has worked hard to build his practice and uses his expertise to help his patients live longer and fuller lives effectively.

Holy Name Physicians

222 Cedar Ln Ste 109,

Teaneck, NJ 07666 (201) 379-5650

By following the tips we have provided, you will be closer to finding a nephrologist that is perfect for you. We hope that the Black Health Matters Nephrologist Guide will be helpful as you navigate the management of your kidney health.

The post Find a Kidney Specialist with the Black Health Matters Guide! appeared first on Black Health Matters.

While lupus can affect individuals of all ages and ethnic backgrounds, minority groups including Blacks are impacted the most, and women are affected more than men.² Black women are most impacted by this condition.³ Up to 60% of lupus patients will develop lupus nephritis.^1,5

What is Lupus Nephritis?

Definition

Lupus nephritis is a type of kidney disease caused by lupus. It is a common but serious lupus-related health complication, meaning only patients with lupus can develop lupus nephritis. It is caused by the body mistakenly attacking the kidneys, leading to swelling and scarring of the blood vessels that are responsible for filtering kidney waste.⁴ Men are more likely to develop lupus nephritis than women. Blacks, much like Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics, remain at high risk for developing lupus nephritis.⁶

Lupus nephritis, if left untreated, may result in impaired kidney function or kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. It is also a risk factor for developing end stage renal disease. Severe forms of lupus nephritis may cause permanent kidney scarring. Patients with lupus nephritis are at a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer and heart problems.¹ There is no cure for this disease, but treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent disease progression.

Signs and Symptoms of Lupus Nephritis

Signs and symptoms of lupus nephritis may vary. Symptoms may not be noticeable at onset of the disease, and it may take up to 5 years after lupus symptoms appear to recognize symptoms of lupus nephritis.⁵ Potential symptoms should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of lupus nephritis. The most common symptoms include^1,4-6:

• Weight gain
• Swelling (usually in the legs, feet, or ankles)
• Urine changes
  • Frequent urination
  • Blood or protein in urine (may only be visible under a microscope)
• High levels of waste (creatinine) in your blood
• High blood pressure

Lupus Nephritis in Blacks

Why are lupus and lupus nephritis more common in Blacks? We don’t know. Some experts believe it may be related to genetics, however there may also be hormonal and environmental causes.^3,6 Additional research is needed to help better understand and evaluate this condition.

Importance of Clinical Trial Participation

A surprising 63% of Americans surveyed had limited knowledge of lupus and its symptoms or had never heard of the condition. This proves there is still much work to be done in raising awareness and knowledge surrounding lupus and its complications.²

Clinical trials allow researchers to contribute to improving quality of care and identifying and exploring better treatment options. Clinical trials for lupus have not had much success recruiting minority patients to participate. Unfortunately, Black patients are underrepresented in clinical trials due to a number of barriers such as limited knowledge of clinical trials and when they occur, feelings of anxiety and lack of trust surrounding clinical trial participation, and limited education about the disease.⁷

Blacks make up around 12% of the United States population but are only represented in clinical trials at a low rate of 5%.⁷ In order to gain more insight and reduce health disparities, it is important to increase participation of Black patients in lupus-related clinical trials. If you have been diagnosed with lupus nephritis (LN), you may be able to participate in an important new study and potentially avoid further damage to your kidneys. Learn more here.

– – –

References:

1. NIH – Lupus and Kidney Disease (Lupus Nephritis)
2. Lupus Foundation of America – Lupus Facts and Statistics
3. CDC – Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
4. National Kidney Foundation – Lupus and Kidney Disease (Lupus Nephritis)
5. Lupus Foundation of America – What is Lupus Nephritis?
6. American Kidney Fund – Lupus Nephritis: Symptoms, treatment, and complications
7. NIH – The State of Lupus Clinical Trials: Minority Participation Needed
8. National Kidney Foundation – Are Clinical Trials Safe?

The post What is Lupus Nephritis and Why Is It More Common in Blacks? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The Impact of Food Deserts

As a community, chronic diseases hit us the hardest. Research shows that several chronic conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure, disproportionately impact African Americans. We already know structural racism and racial bias are reasons why these health disparities exist. In addition, socio-economic factors that affect many Black Americans, such as lack of quality insurance and safe spaces to exercise, cannot be overlooked.

But we must remember how living in food deserts impacts our health. According to a report by McKinsey, one out of 5 Black households is in a food desert, with fewer grocery stores, farmer’s markets, and restaurants offering healthy options. For some of us, convenience stores and fast-food restaurants are the closest options. Yet, we are still expected to spend nearly $340 billion on food by 2030.

Black consumers want offerings that are culturally relevant and convenient, facilitate healthy habits, demonstrate good value for the price, and allow them to experience new foods.

Despite these challenges, it is possible to live a healthy lifestyle and break free from these race-related stigmas. An excellent place to start is knowing about the healthy numbers we need to work towards, whether we are striving to prevent a chronic disease or manage one.

High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia)

High blood sugar occurs when too much glucose, or sugar, is in the blood. If left untreated, high blood sugar can lead to type 2 diabetes over time. It can also lead to severe complications, including eye, kidney, and nerve damage. African Americans are at higher risk for developing high blood sugar.

Symptoms may not always be present when blood sugar is high. Some signs of high blood sugar include frequent urination and increased thirst. You may experience tiredness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain in severe cases. If you have concerns about your blood sugar, your provider can check your levels by conducting a simple blood test.

There is a common misconception that eating too much sugar causes diabetes.

While consuming sugary foods and drinks is unhealthy and can play a role, there are other contributing factors. The biggest problem with a poor diet is that it contributes to weight gain. Excess weight contributes to high blood sugar. Losing weight helps the body maintain healthy blood sugar levels and lowers the risk of complications.

However, our blood sugar goals may vary based on specific factors. The American Diabetes Association recommends that patients with diabetes aim for an A1c goal of < 7%. Blood sugars should stay between 80 and 130 mg/dL before meals and less than 180 mg/dL 1 to 2 hours after eating.

If you do not have diabetes, you should aim for an A1c of < 5.7%, and fasting blood sugars should be around 100 mg/dL.

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood in your blood vessels is too high. This often results in your heart working much harder to do its job. If left untreated, high blood pressure can cause damage to your arteries. It can also lead to other conditions such as heart disease, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, and sexual dysfunction.

High blood pressure is commonly referred to as a ‘silent killer’ because you may feel perfectly fine and not have any symptoms. When symptoms are present, they may include headache, chest pain, shortness of breath, and vision changes.

The best way to prevent long-term damage is to know your numbers. If you don’t have a blood pressure monitor, consider investing in one. Or ask a friend or family member to use theirs. Most pharmacies offer free blood pressure checks, and you can usually stop by your provider’s office to have your blood pressure checked without an appointment, but be sure to call ahead to confirm.

A blood pressure of 120/80 or lower is considered normal. If you have been diagnosed with hypertension, aim for a blood pressure goal of less than 130/80.

How Weight Factors In

There is a connection between being overweight and being diagnosed with hyperglycemia and hypertension. However, embarking on lifestyle changes that result in 5-10% weight loss may set us on the path to being healthier.

Dr. Holly Lofton, Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery and Medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, states that losing weight can also improve conditions such as prediabetes, high cholesterol, acid reflux, specific liver disease, and osteoarthritis.

“Even a 5% weight loss can be significant,” states Dr. Lofton, “However, there are specific weight loss goals depending on the condition.”

• 5-10% weight loss is recommended to prevent prediabetes from becoming diabetes
• 5-15% weight loss is recommended to reduce the severity of diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure
• At least a 10% weight loss is associated with reduced acid reflux symptoms
• 5-10% weight loss is recommended to improve physical function with osteoarthritis
• 7-10% weight loss is recommended to improve the fatty tissue present in liver cells of patients with liver disease, which is a risk factor for heart disease and many types of cancer

“I encourage anyone who feels that losing weight is intimidating to talk to your doctor,” says Dr. Lofton. She emphasizes that having percentage goals such as the ones listed above and aiming for smaller weight loss goals is attainable by making small changes that can lead to improved health.

Supported by an educational grant from Novo Nordisk Inc. 

The post How Do Health Numbers Connect to Weight and Overall Health? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Black Americans are at a significant disadvantage when it comes to kidney failure and trying to find a donor. In this session, Dr. Feyikemi Osundina, Director of US Patient Advocacy at Sanofi, outlines the Black community’s challenges regarding kidney transplants and ways to overcome them. And Patient Advocates share their transplant experiences.

Educating yourself on the issues involved is an essential first step. But more than half of our community, 57%, don’t fully understand basic health information. A variety of factors have contributed to this, including a lack of trust in the system due to historical mistreatment, uncertainty about how to communicate with doctors, and cultural barriers that may prevent you from speaking out.

What is Kidney Disease?

The American Kidney Fund reports that 37 million Americans are living with kidney disease. Of those, 807,000 are living with kidney failure. (That means they can no longer filter waste products from your blood). This is a permanent, irreversible condition that requires dialysis.

• Symptoms of kidney failure include:
• Weight loss and poor appetite
• Swollen ankles, feet, or hands – as a result of water retention (edema)
• Shortness of breath
• Tiredness
• Blood in your urine
• Increased need to pee – particularly at night
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• Itchy skin
• Muscle cramps
• Feeling sick
• Headaches
• Erectile dysfunction in men

A kidney transplant is necessary for people who are in the end stage of renal disease (ESRD). So, it is likely that you know someone who has either had a kidney transplant or needs one. But, if you think that you may be at risk for kidney disease, you should contact your physician immediately. The earlier it is detected, the better your chances are of stopping it from progressing to kidney failure.

A Kidney Transplant May Have Risks

Nerve damage. While 95% of transplanted kidneys are still functioning a year after the procedure, there may still be risks involved with the procedure. According to the National Health Service, 5 out of every 100 patients suffer nerve damage during the procedure. The nerves around the wound, or front of the thigh of the kidney transplant, are usually the ones that are damaged. However, there is a possibility that it will heal on its own.

Heart problems. Following the procedure, a blockage in the blood supply to the heart can occur. If you have a history of heart issues, talk to your physician about having your heart function assessed before you are added to the transplant list.

Blood sugar management. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes before a transplant, there is a possibility that your blood sugar will be more difficult to control after the procedure. If this happens, work with your physician to make any necessary medication adjustments.

It is Difficult For Us to Find Living Donors

Our community is at a severe disadvantage when it comes to successfully finding a kidney donor. There are over 100,000 people on the waitlist to receive a kidney transplant, and 30% of them are black. Despite the overwhelming number of black Americans who are on the waitlist for a kidney transplant, we are six times less likely to receive a transplant from a living donor. Outsourcing for a kidney transplant will require some self-advocating. Some ways to advocate for yourself include switching doctors and getting second or third opinions.

We are six times less likely to receive a transplant from a living donor.

The Transplant Experience

Most people are hesitant about becoming a kidney donor. It is a significant surgery to remove one of your body’s vital organs. However, the procedure does have a 95% success rate. The chances of a malfunction during the procedure are extremely rare.

As with all major operations, there is a recovery period involved after the transplant. But Reggie, one of the patient advocates on the panel who became a donor, said the process is almost seamless.

“As far as recovery, it is usually just a mild soreness. I took pain medicine the day after surgery, but after that, I just weaned myself off of it. You feel fatigued for about a week,” Reggie said. “After that, I started feeling normal in about a week or two. I was out four weeks before I went back to work.”

Reggie donated his kidney to his wife, Alana. It was her second transplant after her brother donated his to her when she was still a teenager. Though it was not easy needing to have a second procedure as an adult, Alana says it was worth it.

“After my transplant, I was able to move the way I like to move, travel, and get back to my catering business.”

“One of the promises I made with my husband, with the kidney transplant, was that we would have another baby. Our kids are 16 years apart, but our daughter will be five this month. We had a healthy baby girl. Mommy is healthy after my second kidney transplant. So, living life on your terms is possible.”

This session was presented by Sanofi.

The Panelists:

Feyikemi Osundina, PharmD, MS

Alana H, Patient Advocate

Reggie C, Patient Advocate

The post Living Life Beyond Dialysis: What You Should Know About Living Donor Kidney Transplant appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Sanders has been battling circulation problems in his arteries, which carry oxygenated blood away from the heart. The blood clots in his leg have led to blockages, restricting blood flow and depriving the tissues of oxygen. The consequences of reduced blood supply can be severe, potentially leading to tissue death.

The Relationship Between Blood Clotting and African American Men

Research indicates that African American men have a higher risk of developing blood clots compared to individuals of other races. Black populations, regardless of age or gender, exhibit higher rates of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is the formation of blood clots in deep veins. DVT can be a life-threatening condition, causing thousands of deaths annually in the United States.

Potential Causes and Risk Factors

Several factors contribute to the increased risk of blood clots among African American men. These factors include:

• Genetic Factors – Certain genetic traits, such as the sickle cell trait and other mutations associated with blood clotting, are more prevalent in Black populations. These genetic variations can predispose individuals to a higher risk of blood clot formation.
• Chronic Health Conditions – African American men often have a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and metabolic syndrome. These underlying conditions can contribute to the development of blood clots.
• Heart Disease – Black men have higher rates of heart-related health problems, such as strokes, coronary artery disease, and heart failure. These conditions can exert pressure on blood vessels, increasing the likelihood of blood clot formation.
• Lupus –  Lupus, an autoimmune disease more common among Black women and men, can lead to chronic inflammation in the body. Individuals with lupus have a higher incidence of blood clot formation.
• Smoking and Secondhand Smoke Exposure: African American men have higher rates of exposure to secondhand smoke, and a significant percentage of Black smokers prefer menthol-flavored cigarettes. Smoking and exposure to tobacco-related products can raise the risk of blood clots.

The challenges being faced by Deion Sanders highlight the seriousness of these blood circulation conditions and their potential impact on African American men. Understanding the underlying causes and risk factors can help individuals and healthcare professionals identify and manage the risk effectively.

By promoting awareness and implementing preventive measures, we can strive to reduce the burden of blood clot-related complications in this population.

The post Deion Sanders Highlights African American Risk For DVT & Blood Clotting Issues appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Health Issues Affecting Black Americans

While people self-identifying as any race are susceptible to many health conditions, the Black population is especially vulnerable to several. From a lack of educational attainment to living in poorer neighborhoods to higher rates of unemployment and being uninsured, the Black community is fighting for racial equality in healthcare. Men’s Health Month stresses the importance of the struggle that many men face when seeking care for these conditions and more.

Cardiovascular Disease

Heart disease is a term used to describe a number of conditions related to the heart, including heart attack, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmia, and more. Although Black women are disproportionately affected by heart disease as compared to Black men, African Americans are much more susceptible to it than White people. The Office of Minority Health reports that both African American and non-Hispanic White people were diagnosed with Coronary Artery Disease in similar numbers, but that Black people were less likely to have their hypertension controlled and more likely to die from heart disease.

Mental Health Concerns

Many Blacks live in low-income neighborhoods and are below the poverty line themselves, placing them at higher risk for psychological distress. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the rates of serious mental illness rose among African Americans between 2008 and 2018. As an example, while depression and major depressive episodes have decreased overall across the country and all races, they have increased sharply among all age groups of Black Americans. Black teenagers are more likely to attempt suicide but, as a race, African Americans are less likely to die by suicide compared to those of other ethnic background.

Prostate Cancer

Black Americans are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than White men and other people of color. Part of the problem is that their cancer is detected later when it is more advanced and there are fewer treatment options available. Awareness and early detection has improved survival rates for all races, including African American patients. Today, when caught early, prostate cancer has a 99% 5-year survival rate. More needs to be done to raise awareness of prostate cancer and its disproportionate effects on the black population. However, there have already been great strides made with concerted efforts on behalf of government agencies, local community organizations, and healthcare providers.

Diabetes

Diabetes affects your body’s use of insulin, either by changing how much of it is produced or how well it responds to it. It often leads to other serious health conditions like heart disease and kidney disease. Diabetes also affects the Black population more than non-Hispanic Whites and every other race. The Office of Minority Health reports that African American adults are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes, with Black men more likely to die from it. In recent years, it’s been found that Black people were more than 2.5 times more likely to be hospitalized with complications from the disease and twice as likely to succumb to it than White people.

Kidney Disease

The National Institutes of Health has insight into why Black people are more likely to suffer from kidney disease than any other race. American Indians and Alaskan Natives are 1.2 times and Hispanics are 1.3 times more likely to be diagnosed with kidney failure. By comparison, Black Americans are four times as likely to suffer from it. The two most common causes of kidney failure are hypertension and diabetes, which are also prevalent in African American communities for a variety of reasons, including the lack of preventative care, lifestyle choices, and limited access to healthy foods.

Living a Healthier Life

The School of Public Health and Indiana University has offered a list of ways that all men, regardless of race, can improve their overall health, reduce their risk of chronic illness, and feel better each day. Remember that men’s health is important all year and not just in June when we recognize Men’s Health Month. If you have any existing health conditions or questions about implementing the suggestions below, be sure to speak with your healthcare provider.

• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Your ideal weight is typically measured by body mass index (BMI). You can use a BMI calculator to help you determine the ideal weight for your height. It will not include body type or other factors, so your doctor may give you a different target weight.
• Eat a Healthy Diet: It’s important to consider the types of foods you eat and the size of your portions. While there are many trendy diets out there, the best bet is to learn more about the foods you eat, like protein, carbohydrate, and fat content.
• Take a Multivitamin Supplement: Multivitamins are a great way to ensure you get plenty of the nutrients your diet may be lacking.
• Stay Hydrated: You should aim to drink 0.5 ounces of water per one pound of body weight. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, you should drink approximately 100 ounces of water each day.
• Exercise Regularly: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends 150 minutes of physical activity each week. You can break this down into shorter workout sessions throughout the week that fit better into your schedule. If needed, start small and work your way up.
• Reduce Screen Time: Sitting down too much increases the risk for heart disease and stroke. If you must work at a computer most of the day, be sure to take frequent breaks. Getting up to walk or stretch can help you feel better throughout the day as well.
• Get Enough Sleep: The amount of sleep you need changes as you get older. The important thing is that you feel rested when you wake up. Good sleep is linked to improved mood, brain performance, and overall health.
• Limit Alcohol Intake: Alcohol should be consumed in moderation and safely. Long-term alcohol use is linked with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and some forms of cancer. It may also lead to risky sexual relations, motor vehicle crashes, and violence.
• Manage Mental Health: There are many ways you can support your mental health, from self-care to practicing gratitude to regular meditation. By putting yourself first you are better able to support those around you.
• Keep Yourself Accountable: Whether you turn to a support group, your family and friends, or use an app, keeping yourself in line with your health goals is important.

How to Raise Awareness for Men’s Health Month

It’s easy to help raise awareness for Men’s Health Month this June and there are plenty of ways to do it too. Be sure to involve women and families if appropriate, as they are some of your biggest advocates and want you to stay healthy as well. While Black people may be disproportionately affected by some health conditions and struggle with the healthcare system for various reasons, Men’s Health Month is the ideal time to help create balance. Here’s how you can help:

• Wear Blue Day: In 2023, Wear Blue Day is celebrated on June 16th. The goal is to help raise awareness for men’s health, which will ultimately lead to longer, healthier lives.
• Share Your Support: Do you know someone who is struggling with their mental health, heart disease, or other condition? Many Black people suffer in silence. Take this opportunity to reach out and encourage them.
• Create an Awareness Campaign: There are many ways you can raise awareness through a campaign. Ask the HR department at work to set up an event, send out flyers within your local community, or write a letter to the editor at your newspaper.
• Join a Fundraiser: Is there a fundraiser happening nearby? Join that 5K walk, request sponsorship in the next food drive, or simply announce that you’ve made a donation to an organization and ask others to do the same.
• Start a Healthy Living Group: Do you know plenty of men who would benefit from going for regular walks, staying accountable on a healthy diet, or losing weight? Why not band together to make it happen?
• Organize a Health Fair: You can work with a local health clinic to advertise preventative screenings for prostate cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and other conditions. Reach out to a few and see if they are interested in raising awareness for Men’s Health Month.
• Plan a Sports Day: Have your friends, family, and local communities come together for a sports day. Pay a small fee to play and send the proceeds to an organization who can use the funds to support men’s health.

Men’s Health And The Black Population: Raising Awareness

Black Health Matters stands with you in our efforts to raise awareness for men’s health. We encourage you to support those you love with health conditions such as heart disease or mental health diagnoses, share your own stories of hope and survival, and collaborate with peers this June to raise awareness for Men’s Health Month.

The post What Men’s Health Month Means For African Americans appeared first on Black Health Matters.

What is chronic kidney disease? What are these healthcare disparities? What gene mutations make Blacks more susceptible to this disease? Read on for these answers and more.

What is Kidney Disease?

Kidney damage causing chronic kidney disease (CKD) is more common than you think. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two most common causes, but many autoimmune disorders (like Lupus) also target the kidneys. Becoming severely dehydrated often or recurring urinary tract or bladder infections can contribute to kidney disease over time. Polycystic kidney disease is one type of this disease that is usually genetic, causes more kidney damage over time, and affects how well the kidneys filter blood.

When kidney function is compromised, one or both kidneys cannot filter blood as efficiently as necessary to keep you healthy. Toxins build up in the blood, making you feel sick and possibly damaging other organs. The condition may be temporary while you recover from an illness, but more often, the disease is long-term with a gradual loss of function.

Common Symptoms

Some signs of chronic kidney disease are easy to overlook because they can mimic symptoms of minor illnesses like dehydration. This could be feeling tired or having dark urine. If you already have diabetes, you may be used to swelling in your lower legs. However, some symptoms are a warning sign of chronic kidney disease, and you should address these with a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

• Nausea or vomiting
• Cramps or muscle spasms, especially in the lower legs
• Confusion or trouble concentrating
• Trouble sleeping
• Dry, itchy skin
• Metallic taste or poor appetite

Risk Factors for CKD

Many people are at increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease and aren’t aware, while many others already have lowered kidney function without realizing it. Kidney disease progresses quickly without treatment. If you have one or more risk factors listed below, you should discuss them with your healthcare provider.

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Over age 60
• Long-term use of pain relievers (particularly NSAIDs)
• Family history
• Ethnic background

Kidney Disease Treatment

The five stages of kidney disease range from very little damage and normal function in the early stages to end-stage kidney disease with little to no function. Complete kidney failure requires dialysis to remove the waste product from your blood and an eventual kidney transplant. CKD treatment will vary depending on kidney function, co-existing health conditions, and other factors. You will work closely with your kidney doctor, any other specialists needed, and your primary provider to ensure you can manage the progression of the disease as best as possible.

Why is Kidney Disease Different for Black People?

Any chronic illness brings many challenges, but Blacks facing CKD experience more of them. From biology and DNA to racism within the healthcare system, kidney disease differs for the Black community.

Systemic Racism

Racism has been ingrained within the healthcare system for decades. There are several ways in which Blacks experience systemic prejudice, including accessing or being offered healthcare resources or services.

Access to Healthcare

It is widely reported by research organizations, university publications, and others that healthcare disparities exist within the black community. Those living in poorer neighborhoods may not have access to well-equipped medical clinics or adequate health insurance. Many black Americans don’t have a primary healthcare provider for preventative care, even for such conditions as high blood pressure, or access to specialists like a kidney doctor, so early detection of most chronic illnesses is challenging.

The black population is less likely to receive testing for chronic illness if suspected, even routine urine tests, or be referred for advanced care if warranted. These healthcare access disparities are being addressed, but change has been slow, and has led to lower quality of life for many suffering from a long list of diseases and not just those affecting the kidneys.

Diagnosing Kidney Failure in African Americans

GFR is a standard blood test that measures the glomerular filtration rate, giving healthcare providers an estimate of how well your kidneys function. A long-standing belief within the medical community was that GFR results were higher for African American adults. There weren’t many clinical studies to support this theory, so a task force was created to reassess the notion. After ten months, no evidence was found, and the task force recommended that all healthcare providers immediately apply the same GFR equations to both African American and Caucasian patients. These tests are now more accurate and early detection is much easier.

Racial Bias in Transplants

NBC reported in February 2023 that changes had been made to how patients’ priority is determined when added to the kidney transplant waiting list. According to the report, Dr. Martha Pavlakis says that “the inclusion of race variables is inaccurate,” and the outdated GFR lab test is now banned. African Americans on the list will be credited with time, meaning they could receive a kidney transplant one to two years sooner than expected. Before this change, the average wait time for an African American was 64 months compared to 37 months for a non-Hispanic white person.

A study published by Current Transplantation Reports supports this, citing “structural racism” as a leading cause of Blacks’ lower access to living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT).

Co-existing Conditions

Diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure) are the leading causes of kidney diseases. The Office of Minority Health at the US Department of Health and Human Services reports that there are nearly twice as many black Americans with diabetes than non-Hispanic white people. According to the American Heart Association, over half have high blood pressure. It is more likely to develop early and become more severe. Many fall into both categories as one is a risk factor for the other.

Other conditions are also risk factors for kidney disease, like cardiovascular diseases, disproportionately affecting the black community. Black women are especially vulnerable to autoimmune diseases, like Lupus, that attack the kidneys and sometimes lead to using NSAIDs to control joint pain.

Treatment for chronic kidney disease often requires treatment of underlying health conditions, which requires access to consistent healthcare and medications. In some communities experiencing economic disparities, this can create many challenges.

Genetic Predisposition

In addition to underlying medical conditions, a common gene mutation may increase their risk. Dr. Opeyemi Olabisi of Duke University describes this mutation and its effects for the New York Times. The APOL1 gene is found in the DNA of those with sub-Saharan or Afro-Caribbean ancestry as a defense against African trypanosomiasis. This disease, also called sleeping sickness, is caused by a parasite. While the normal gene has been helpful for millennia, those that inherit two copies of the mutated gene are much more likely to develop kidney disease. This is similar to a gene that naturally developed an immune response against malaria but made current generations more usceptible to sickle cell disease.

Medications currently being tested could help target these gene mutations to help treat chronic kidney disease in the black community at its source. Genetic testing may help determine who is at risk, but there’s no guarantee that a person with both mutations will develop the disease. However, knowing about their vulnerability could lead to high blood pressure and added stress, leading to another risk factor.

How Are Things Changing?

Thankfully, the healthcare system is slowly changing to ensure everyone gets the care they deserve regardless of race or income level. These changes are slow but happening nonetheless. Just a few of the transformations we’ve seen so far include the following:

• Addressing Social and Economic Disparities
• Better Access to Culturally-Competent Care
• Healthcare Education
• Preventative Medicine
• Better Understanding of Kidney Function
• Faster Referrals for Kidney Transplant
• Less Bias in Receiving a Transplant
• Genetic Testing When Appropriate
• Targeting of the APOL1 Gene

Chronic Kidney Disease in African Americans

It may take time for every community to see the effects of reform. Still, we hope that more awareness of these disparities will soon affect even more positive change, allowing those suffering from kidney disease to experience a better quality of life through every stage of the condition. Black Health Matters has the privilege of working with amazing people and organizations to help spread this awareness.

If you or someone you know is diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, know that there are studies and tests underway for new treatments and changes within healthcare every day to make getting those treatments easier once they are available.

The post The Realities of Kidney Disease Within the Black Community appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Types of Strokes

There are various types of strokes that you may experience. While experiencing symptoms, the first and most crucial step is to get medical care so that treatment can begin as soon as possible. However, the long-term treatment will vary depending on the stroke you’ve suffered.

• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot develops in the brain or travels from elsewhere and blocks blood flow, damaging brain cells. These attacks present sudden symptoms similar to a stroke but typically don’t last as long. There is no way to tell whether the initial stroke symptoms are a hemorrhagic stroke or a less severe transient ischemic attack, so you should always assume that you need immediate medical attention and call for emergency care. A TIA is often called a mini-stroke and is the most common.
• Hemorrhagic Strokes: There are several types of hemorrhagic strokes. However, all of them include bleeding in the brain caused by a ruptured blood vessel. The hemorrhaging can quickly worsen, so early detection and treatment are essential. While not the most common type of stroke, it is the most dangerous.
• Silent Strokes: If a blood clot causes damage to an area of the brain that doesn’t cause any significant outward symptoms and is relatively minor, the stroke may go unnoticed. Some patients only find out they’ve had a silent stroke if they undergo a brain scan for an unrelated condition or if they experience a major stroke later, and evidence can be seen on a CT scan or MRI.

Signs of a Stroke

The symptoms of a stroke will vary from person to person. Even if the person has had a stroke before, another event could seem different based on severity and location. An ischemic stroke, a mini-stroke, will look different from a hemorrhagic stroke. You should never assume that every event will appear the same.

Some stroke symptoms aren’t outwardly visible, so you should always convey these to someone if you start to experience them. When someone is aware, they are better prepared to help you.

• Numbness: You may feel numbness in your face, arm, or leg, but usually only on one side of the body. Numbness of the face could cause drooping that is easy to identify.
• Weakness: This is usually accompanied by numbness, but not always. When there is no numbness, you may not notice the weakness until you try to do something like pick up a glass of water.
• Confusion: Trouble speaking coherently is one of the first signs of many strokes. However, it could be that you aren’t understanding the speech of others. If possible, try to communicate this.
• Vision Changes: These changes usually include blurry or double vision. However, it could also be narrowed or blackened. Any visual changes should be reported to someone nearby.
• Loss of Balance or Coordination: Others often easily observe trouble walking due to balance or lifting your legs. Try to remain seated to keep from injuring yourself.
• Severe Headache: A severe headache could cause vomiting, dizziness, and more as brain cells begin to die with a lack of blood flow.

What to Do If You Suspect a Stroke

What do you do if you are experiencing any of these signs or notice that someone else is? Follow the steps below to ensure you (or they) get the fastest care possible to avoid lasting brain damage or even death.

Act F.A.S.T

Use the acronym F.A.S.T. to check for the signs of a stroke. These symptoms may come and go over several hours or come on suddenly. You should assume that the event is ongoing and needs immediate medical attention.

• F(ace): Does one side of the face droop when smiling?
• A(rms): Does one arm slowly fall when raising the arms?
• S(peech): Is speech slurred? Does it sound strange? Is there trouble speaking a simple phrase?
• T(ime): Contact 9-1-1 or other emergency services for immediate medical attention if you notice any or all of the above symptoms.

Keep Track of Symptoms

Once you notice symptoms of a stroke, start taking notes. Keep track of what symptoms started, when, on what side of the body, and if the person has relayed any symptoms you haven’t observed. This information can be vital to an emergency care team as they work to identify the type of stroke and treat it appropriately.

Always Call for an Ambulance

It can be tempting to drive someone to the hospital yourself because you can get them to the hospital faster than an ambulance. However, the ambulance is equipped with trained EMS personnel and has life-saving medications that can be administered while on their way to the hospital. It is always best to call 9-1-1 in the event of a stroke.

Risk Factors for Strokes

Understanding the signs of a stroke is vital, especially if you know you or someone you love is at risk for one. Are you? There are many risk factors, from lifestyle choices you can control to age and gender, that you can’t.

Health Conditions

Having other health conditions can put you at a higher risk of experiencing a stroke. For example, suppose you have high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, or another similar heart condition. In that case, it can affect the blood vessels in the brain and increase the chances of hemorrhagic stroke. Coronary heart disease, blood clotting disorders, and high cholesterol levels may increase your risk of developing a blood clot that can travel to the brain, where it could cause a transient ischemic attack.

Some other underlying health conditions that may make you more susceptible include diabetes, stress, kidney disease, migraine, and obesity. You should work closely with your primary care provider to manage these conditions.

Lifestyle Choices

You may have more control over stroke risk factors, such as smoking, diet, exercise, drinking alcohol, sleeping too much, and using illicit drugs. It can be difficult to eliminate or change these habits. However, there are many resources available to help. The CDC offers telephone and app support tools and access to medicines to quit smoking. Your primary care provider can help create a healthy diet and exercise plan or refer you to a dietician and physical therapist. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a 24/7 hotline with information and referrals for those with a substance use disorder.

Stress and Mental Health

Stress and anxiety contribute to stroke risk in several ways, including increasing blood pressure. Many people with poor mental health ignore their physical health, allowing it to decline as they develop diseases like diabetes from poor diet and exercise. If you are experiencing anxiety or depression, contact a mental health counselor or your primary care provider, who can refer you to one to help reduce your risk of stroke.

Age

According to the CDC, “the chance of having a stroke about doubles every ten years after age 55.” This is not to say that younger adults aren’t at risk as well. They also report that approximately one in seven strokes affects those under 49. While you may not be able to change the age risk factor, you can significantly reduce its impact by improving the ones you can control.

Gender

There is a significant disparity when comparing the number of Black adults affected by stroke compared to white people, especially when looking at gender. The US Department of Health and Human Services reports that in 2018, the number of African American men who suffered a stroke was relatively similar to that of white men. However, the number of African American women who experienced a stroke that year was double that of white women. The death rates were equally shocking, with both Black men and women more likely to die from a stroke than other races. In comparison, the risk of stroke is higher for a woman by 20-21% over the general population.

Family History

Studies show a definitive link between a family history of stroke and individual risk. This is on several levels, including the risk for stroke and the risk of developing health conditions that can lead to stroke, like high blood pressure and those that affect the arteries. Knowing your family’s medical history is essential so you can share this with your healthcare providers and work to minimize your risk.

Ethnic Background

The American Heart Association breaks down their long-term study following over 5,000 participants published in 2021. After 26 years, there were 100 strokes reported. While the rate of strokes between men and women was relatively similar, African Americans were four times more likely to suffer a stroke than white people of the same age. These results are startling and have given researchers new information on to base additional studies as they learn more about how heart health and stroke affect the Black population.

This is not the only study to prove such a correlation between racial identity and the risk of stroke or death. An AHA study in 2017 included participants from African countries, and another studied the recurrence of a transient ischemic attack in Black people who have already experienced one.

The Signs of a Stroke: When Every Minute Counts

Whether ischemic or hemorrhagic, all strokes are a medical emergency that needs immediate treatment to minimize long-term effects. Black people are disproportionately affected by stroke, so if you get a sudden and severe headache or any other signs of a stroke, communicate them to someone nearby as quickly as possible. Every minute counts when blood flow to the brain is compromised.

Black Health Matters understands that much of the Black population lives in areas with poor access to healthcare, which contributes to preventative treatment. By working with our partners and raising awareness of the gender and ethnic group disparities within the healthcare systems, we hope to improve the lives of African Americans in the US. Together, we can.

The post Understanding Signs of a Stroke appeared first on Black Health Matters.

It’s important to keep in mind that diabetes is a risk factor for other severe health problems like heart disease, kidney failure, and high blood pressure. It is vital to prevent it if at all possible, especially if you have increased risk due to family history or other related serious health problems.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Insulin is a hormone that helps your body use the sugars you eat as energy. Type 2 diabetes results in insulin resistance, meanin your cells don’t respond to insulin as they should. When insulin resistance starts to occur, your pancreas produces insulin and responds by producing more of it. This works for a little while, but eventually, you won’t have enough insulin to metabolize all the sugars you eat. Sugars that aren’t metabolized into energy will cause your blood sugar level, also called blood glucose level, to rise. Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy and needs to be managed carefully, as high blood glucose can affect the health of both mom and baby.

High blood glucose will lead to other health problems over time, like heart disease or kidney disease, so it’s important to manage the condition closely with your healthcare provider. Better yet, you should take steps to prevent diabetes, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with prediabetes.

Can You Prevent It?

Assess Your Health and Habits

The first step to making positive change that will help you prevent diabetes is to assess your current health and related habits. Do you usually drink a lot of soda, or do you prefer water? Are you primarily sedentary, or is physical activity part of your routine? Are you already at higher risk due to your family history? You may need to modify your lifestyle. Take some time to think about your current health problems and why it’s essential to adjust your habits to better match your health goals. You’ll find your inspiration and motivation to make lasting changes from here.

Get Enough Rest

Poor sleep can result in higher blood sugar levels and an increased risk of diabetes. While research studies are still underway to find just how sleep can and can’t impact glucose and how the body processes sugar, we already know several critical ways in which it does. The first is that cortisol levels increase with even mild sleep deprivation. High cortisol levels are linked with increased blood glucose. Sleep deprivation can also increase insulin resistance, making it harder for your body to process sugars. When sleep deprivation becomes chronic, so can insulin resistance. Cortisol levels can even be impacted by the time of day you sleep.

You don’t need to lose out on much sleep for your body (and blood sugar) to start feeling the effects. Oxidative stress within the body begins to damage your cells and affects how they function. Your glucose levels will rise as you feel more overwhelmed throughout the day because you are tired. You may even feel like you need an extra latte or an energy drink to help you get through the afternoon, which will increase blood glucose. It is our body’s natural response and also our habits that contribute to poor health. Getting a good night’s sleep every night helps restore our energy for the next day and maintains good health overall.

Create a Nutrition Plan

It can be hard to plan meals you enjoy, especially if you have to cut out favorite foods and recipes you love. However, once you find new, healthier options that you crave just as much, it won’t be as hard to head to the dinner table. It may be tempting to follow a diet you found on social media or a subscription box service that offers “everything you need.” However, many of these diets lead to weight fluctuation, rarely include foods that meet your dietary needs, and might not even have things you enjoy eating. Your best bet is to follow the guidelines below and create your own menu.

• Portion Sizes: Johns Hopkins recommends more than half of every meal include non-starchy vegetables, a quarter each of lean protein like chicken or fish, and healthy carbs like whole grains.
• High Fiber Intake: You should include 25 to 30 grams of fiber daily. High-fiber foods include some types of nuts, fruits, and berries. Try a popcorn snack if you’re a little shy of your goal for the day!
• Reduce Sugar and Refined Carbohydrates: Switch your soda for flavored water, eat fresh instead of canned fruit, eat smaller portions of sweets, or try a sweetener alternative. There are many ways to reduce refined sugar, and you might lower your risk of heart disease.

Start Moving (Even if You Start Slow)

Physical inactivity can lead to high blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and poor blood circulation resulting in dilated blood vessels. According to the American Diabetes Association, the “magic number” is 150 minutes of exercise weekly. This might seem like a considerable number, but by breaking it down and including fun activities, especially with others, you can get through it much easier than you think. For example, when you get to work, why not walk around the building once or twice before heading inside to your desk? Or what about walking with your co-workers during lunch? Playing with the kids after school counts, and so does a class at the gym where you’ll meet other exercise-minded individuals. If you can’t start with 150 minutes, that’s okay. Start where you are comfortable and aim to add 10-15 minutes each week. Once you do, you’ll see healthier blood glucose levels.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

You’ll most likely start losing weight with plenty of rest, good food, and regular activity. Being overweight or obese puts you at increased risk, and losing even a few pounds can significantly affect how you feel every day, both physically and mentally. Studies have shown that African American women are typically heavier than white women and have a harder time maintaining weight loss. If you are struggling, it’s not just you, but it is worth the effort. Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider for recommendations. They may suggest dietary changes or a local weight loss support group.

Quit Smoking (You Have Help)

The FDA reports that those who smoke are 30-40% more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. Smoking makes insulin less effective. If your body is already struggling with insulin resistance, smoking can worsen the problem and cause diabetes, even if you work hard to lessen other risk factors. Nicotine causes oxidative stress, damaging your cells like sleep deprivation does. Because nicotine is a stimulant, it may keep you from getting restful sleep, compounding the effects of stress and worsening the problem. Quitting smoking can reduce your risk of developing many other health problems, including cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, and stroke. If you are a smoker and need help quitting, talk to your healthcare provider, visit the CDC’s free resource page, or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Drink in Moderation

Drinking alcohol could help lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. It’s also linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and other health problems in the black population. However, it should be in moderation and limited to one serving per day for women and two for men. Higher alcohol intake, especially binge drinking, drastically increases your risk of both and can lead to additional health problems such as alcohol use disorder, high blood pressure, pancreatitis, and more.

Find Support (It’s Everywhere!)

Many black people in similar situations need support as well. Whether you need accountability for losing weight, a new fitness class to make “150” a lot more fun, free resources to help you stop smoking, or help from your doctor to find out why you have trouble sleeping, there is support for you along the way to a healthy lifestyle and preventing diabetes. The first step is deciding what you need help with. If you’re unsure where to find support, start with family, friends, or healthcare providers. Chances are, someone can point you in the right direction.

Join the “Lifestyle Change Program”

If you aren’t finding the support you need or need a little more guidance, try the Lifestyle Change Program. This educational program is recognized by the CDC and walks you through how to assess your current habits, create a nutrition plan that works for you, including physical activity every week, deal with stress, lose weight, and even get back on track if you’ve gotten thrown off. The lifestyle coach can adapt each session to meet the cultural needs of the group, including suggestions for meals that match your ethnic background, especially during holidays. They can even offer resources on local events that match your interests and social needs. You may meet other African Americans with similar interests that become accountability partners and friends, helping each other stay healthy long after the group ends.

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes May Be Possible. Why Not Try?

Black racial groups are disproportionately affected by diabetes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to prevent it, especially if you are at higher risk of insulin resistance due to family history. Consult your healthcare provider for guidance if you’ve already been diagnosed with prediabetes because of your blood sugar levels. However, following a healthier lifestyle is just one way in which black people can combat not only diabetes but the many associated health problems like kidney failure, nerve damage, and vascular diseases. Are you ready to make healthy changes?

The post 9 Ways To Prevent Diabetes While Maintaining Good Health appeared first on Black Health Matters.

What Are The Types of Heart Disease?

First, let’s define heart disease. There isn’t just one type of heart disease, so it’s essential to see a primary care physician regularly to catch any signs of one early. You’ll find the most common ones listed below.

• Heart Attacks: A heart attack is caused by a blood clot restricting blood flow to part of the heart. While that part of the heart muscle may become injured, unable to pump blood like usual, it will typically heal with time. Most people associate chest pain with a heart attack.
• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This is the most common type of heart disease. Many people aren’t aware that they have coronary heart disease until they have a heart attack. It is caused by a build-up of plaque in the arteries, restricting blood flow.
• Stroke: There are two types of stroke. The most common is an ischemic stroke, when a blood clot blocks an artery that feeds the brain, restricting blood flow. If brain cells don’t get enough blood, they begin to die, and the effects may become permanent.
• Heart Failure: Also called congestive heart failure, or CHF, heart failure means that the heart can’t work well enough to meet your body’s needs. Because it’s not working as well as it should, the heart has to work harder, which can lead to other symptoms of heart disease. It’s vital to treat heart failure promptly.
• Arrhythmia: The heart is controlled by electrical signals that force it to pump blood. An arrhythmia is an abnormal rhythm of those signals. They could be too slow (bradycardia) or too fast (tachycardia), but there are many different types of arrhythmia.
• Heart Valve Problems: The valves in the heart control the direction of blood flow. If they aren’t working correctly, it could cause stenosis or regurgitation, when blood is allowed to move forward or backward when it shouldn’t.

What Are the Risk Factors? Can You Prevent Heart Disease?

The Mayo Clinic breaks down the extensive list of things that put everyone at higher risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD) and other heart diseases, many of which can lead to heart attack or stroke. You can’t control several of them, such as age, gender, family history, and ethnicity. However, you can significantly reduce your risk by addressing other factors, such as:

• Smoking: Nicotine and other substances damage blood vessels and significantly increase your risk of heart disease
• Diet: A poor diet is one of the most common risk factors for cardiovascular disease and one of the easiest to change right away
• Weight: Maintaining a healthy weight can go a long way toward maintaining a healthy heart
• Exercise: A lack of exercise can lead to poor blood flow, which can then lead to a higher risk for heart disease
• Stress: High stress can lead to high blood pressure and other related risk factors like poor diet
• Dental Health: Endocarditis is a heart infection common in those with poor dental health

In addition to the risk factors listed above, you should address any health concerns with your doctor. Be sure to manage existing medical conditions, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol, with diet or medication if needed. If you have diabetes, you should work closely with your physician to manage your blood glucose levels, weight, and other related health conditions with a routine physical exam.

How Do These Risk Factors Affect Black African American Communities?

The risk factors for heart disease listed above apply to everyone and it’s easy to see why heart and blood vessel disease is the leading cause of death among all racial and ethnic groups in the United States. However, heart disease risk disproportionately affects black people because of the communities in which they live. Residential segregation is still a problem in many areas of the country, contributing to this public health issue.

According to a study published by the American Journal of Kidney Diseases (AJKD), African American communities suffer from many social and environmental determinants that put their residents at higher risk of coronary artery disease, blood vessel disease, high blood pressure, sudden cardiac arrest, and other heart-related medical conditions.

Social Contributors

Most African American communities in the United States are poorer than those comprised mostly of non-Hispanic white residents. While poverty rates are improving, according to the 2019 census, residential segregation still causes black communities to remain poorer. Housing policies have encouraged residential segregation into the present day, keeping these communities largely isolated, with low-quality housing, fewer adequate job opportunities, and restricted access to education.

With lower incomes, African populations are less likely to have health insurance, making it more challenging to receive the routine medical care that would help prevent heart disease or the health conditions that are risk factors for it. Residents in these communities may not be aware of the importance of health care or where to find it. They may not receive proper health education in their local schools or drop out of school before learning about their health or the community resources available to them.

Environmental Contributors

Black communities also have higher heart disease rates because of environmental factors. Less funding for health care and other resources for their residents means higher rates of developing heart disease later in life but also congenital heart defects in newborns. However, pollution in low-income areas also affects many health conditions. The Harvard School of Public Health reports that racial and ethnic groups are much more likely to be exposed to air pollution, leading to respiratory illnesses and many other related health conditions.

Because lack of exercise and obesity are significant risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease, black African American communities become health hazards in several ways. Without funding, these areas rarely have adequate access to green spaces, safe public parks, and properly maintained walking paths. Most neighborhoods don’t have community centers that offer a gym or scheduled meetings for exercise and other social activities. Those with a center often lack funding to maintain the building or equipment. Neighborhood violence is, in itself, a public health concern, but it adds to heart health risks due to the added stress on the residents of these communities.

How Bad is This Problem? The Statistics are Alarming

The aforementioned AKJD study tracked the diversity and prevalence of heart disease in 25 major metropolitan areas over 30 years. It also calls for more community partnerships to help address the issue of heart disease in different ethnic groups. While the statistics in these cities are concerning, this problem is not isolated to a few locations.

The latest statistics from the Office of Minority Health show how widespread this problem is. Let’s look at them.

• Those with African ancestry are 30% more likely to die from heart disease
• African Americans over 18 are 40% more likely to have high blood pressure
• Black people with high blood pressure are less likely to have it under control
• Black men are more likely to smoke than non-Hispanic white men
• If they smoke, black men are less likely to receive advice or resources to quit

Why is Heart Disease so Common in Black Women?

African American women are almost 60% more likely to suffer from high blood pressure than non-Hispanic white women, and stroke is one of the leading causes of death among black women. Even more startling is that almost 40% of black women aren’t aware that chest pain is one of the noticeable symptoms of a heart attack. These statistics show how vital it is to take health care within the black community more seriously.

Black women are more likely to suffer from diabetes and obesity, putting them at higher risk of heart attack and stroke. No matter the type of heart disease, lifestyle changes are the first step to decreasing the risk of sudden cardiac arrest, but it isn’t the only one you can take.

What is Being Done to Address Heart Diseases Among African Americans?

Thankfully, actions are available at every level, from community organizations to the federal government, to help correct the disparity in health care and education. Collecting data and conducting scientific research at the national level allows for better distribution of funding. For example, local community health organizations can now apply for grants through state and government programs. These programs are designed to spread awareness and help treat those with heart conditions in underserved communities.

Healthcare workers within these neighborhoods can educate their patients about resources for low-income households. These resources may include opportunities to attend a school with grants or vocational rehabilitation programs to enter higher-paying career fields. Faith-based and non-profit organizations can bolster their outreach services into underprivileged communities.

In Conclusion

Heart disease risk among African populations in the US will only improve by treating the communities as well as those who live there. If you are experiencing heart disease or chest pain symptoms, you should seek medical care as soon as possible. A family history of heart disease is not the only reason to eat a healthy diet and take care of your physical health. Make lifestyle changes, and be sure to locate neighborhood resources. While the health statistics are shocking, they don’t need to stay that way. Awareness, resources, and advocacy about heart diseases in black communities can change the tide.

The post The Shocking Truth Behind Heart Disease In The Black Community appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) affects the filters in your kidneys. When these filters are scarred, they are unable to filter your blood, which can lead to kidney damage and failure. Treatment for FSGS focuses on treating the symptoms and preventing any additional scarring.

FSGS is not caused by a single disease. It can have many different causes. The scarring may happen because of an infection, or drug, or a disease that affects the entire body, like diabetes, HIV infection, sickle cell disease or lupus. FSGS can also be caused by another kidney-related disease that you had before you got FSGS.

FSGS has different types based on the cause. Primary FSGS is a type of FSGS that means the disease happened on its own without a known or obvious cause. Secondary FSGS is caused by another disease or drug, such as HIV or anabolic steroids that some people use to speed up their muscle growth.

Early stages of FSGS may not cause any symptoms. You may only see some signs on your own, while others may be found by your healthcare provider.

Signs and symptoms of FSGS include:

• Swelling in body parts like your legs, ankles and around your eyes (called edema)
• Weight gain due to extra fluid building in your body
• Foamy urine caused by high protein levels in the urine (called proteinuria)
• High fat levels in the blood (high cholesterol)
• Low levels of protein in the blood

FSGS has no cure. The prognosis varies depending on the person. For some people, FSGS goes away on its own without treatment. For others, the disease continues for many years but does not get worse.

In the U.S., approximately 40,000 patients are living with FSGS, and more than 60% of patients do not have a durable response to current FSGS treatments, which usually include steroids, immunosuppressive drugs, diuretics, and a diet change. Because of this, 50% of patients with FSGS will progress to kidney failure.

Blacks are at least four times more likely to get FSGS in comparison with Whites. Much of this disparity can be attributed to genetic variants of the APOL1 gene found only in individuals with recent African ancestry, according to this study. These variants greatly increase rates of FSGS, among other forms of kidney disease.

Here’s how APOL1 is a factor for Blacks with kidney disease: Forty-five percent of Black Americans under 60 years old on dialysis have the APOL1 genotype. The APOL1 genotype is also found in 75% of Black patients with FSGS.

Many people with the high-risk APOL1 genotype do not show any signs or symptoms of FSGS until kidney failure is approaching. Knowing if you have the APOL1 gene variants is the key to unlocking the mystery of kidney disease in people with African and Caribbean ancestry, medical professionals say.

This awareness is needed in the medical community as well, as providers might not know this link exists, and therefore do not test for it. NephCure is an organization that focuses on raising awareness of FSGS in the Black community. It conducts “culture conversations” with Black kidney doctors and has monthly health fairs where doctors and nurses offer support in some of its locations. NephCure also hosts webinars, educational articles, blog posts, support groups, and its Kidney Health Gateway, which connects people to top nephrologists and research.

“If FSGS is caught early, it’s possible to stop or slow the damage and live a regular life,” says Deja Ivy, NephCure’s associate director of community health. “Our work is important because of the low quality of life with dialysis, but we’re showing that you can be aware and active in your kidney health.”

Black participation in clinical trials could also improve outcomes, as research could determine whether or not drugs being tested for FSGS will work equally as well for Blacks with the APOL1 gene. Clinical trial participation is particularly important for those who are newly diagnosed because FSGS is a rapidly progressing form of disease.

The post Why Are Black People More at Risk to Develop FSGS Kidney Disease? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

After all, diabetes is the primary cause of chronic kidney disease, according to the American Kidney Fund. In fact, one in three adults with diabetes—whether type 1 or type 2—may already have CKD. And Blacks with diabetes develop kidney failure more often than Whites.

Anderson, who saw how diabetes and kidney disease had impacted friends and family, prioritized a healthy diet and regular exercise. A 2017 episode of Black-ish even highlighted his character’s bout with type-2 diabetes. Anderson’s advocacy is most pronounced via Get Real About Diabetes, his awareness campaign in partnership with Novo Nordisk.

Chronic kidney disease is a public health crisis in the U.S., and is far more prevalent in Black people than in White people in the United States, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Black people comprise 13% of the American population but account for about 35% of CKD cases, making them four times as likely as White people to develop the disease.

Given the prevalence of chronic kidney disease, it’s not surprising that there are a number of public figures and celebrities who are living with the chronic illness. And these days, many, from Nick Cannon to Stevie Wonder to the rapper Freeway are open to sharing how they manage their kidney-related ailments—in hopes of inspiring others who might be experiencing the same.

In 2012, Nick Cannon shared that he was diagnosed with lupus nephritis, or lupus kidney disease. His symptoms included fatigue and swelling in his knees, which led to a hospitalization. Then, he learned his kidneys had begun to fail.

Lupus is a disease that can affect any organ system and kidney involvement is one of the most serious manifestations of the disease. Blacks get lupus nephritis more often than other lupus patients. Although most do well with proper medication and lifestyle changes, 10-30% will eventually need regular dialysis or a kidney transplant, according to this study.

Cannon has been vocal about living with lupus nephritis, and how eating low-fat, low-sodium, and low-sugar diets and keeping his blood pressure and blood sugar under control can prevent kidney damage.

He’s raised awareness by serving as the national honorary chair of the National Kidney Foundation’s Kidney Walk, which meant promoting events on traditional and social media and even mounting his own fundraising campaign.

Philadelphia rapper Freeway was diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in 2015, which resulted in him suffering from kidney failure. “I was running around with three of the leading risk factors for kidney disease, and I was unaware of it,” he told Fox29 in 2020, citing the factors as having hypertension and diabetes, as well as being African-American.

Freeway chronicled the ups and downs of his life through his Instagram account. He was transparent about his time in dialysis, which took four hours a day, three days a week, along with various appointments. In February 2019, Freeway underwent a kidney transplant to save his life and shared updates from his hospital bed as he recovered.

Since then, he has been committed to helping others get and stay healthy. Freeway acts as an ambassador for the National Kidney Foundation to raise awareness of the disease.

NBA hall-of-famer Alonzo Mourning was at the height of his basketball career—he had just won gold in the 2000 Summer Olympics—when he noticed extreme swelling throughout his body and a lack of energy.

A routine physical exam showed abnormalities, and eventually, Mourning received a diagnosis of a rare, protein-spilling kidney disease called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). FSGS occurs more commonly in Blacks than in Whites, and the rate of decline of kidney function is generally more rapid in African Americans.

FSGS caused such complications for Mourning that he required, and received, a kidney transplant in 2003. Less than a year after his operation, the future Hall of Famer made the risky decision to return to the NBA, and eventually won a championship with the Miami Heat in 2006.

Last November, Mourning told The Athletic that he’s at peace with his journey with FSGS—and says he feels great. Every day, he takes the medicine he needs to prevent his body from rejecting his transplanted kidney. He eats right. He exercises.

Through his advocacy and education efforts, Mourning has raised more than $50 million for various programs, according to the International Society of Nephrology. He continues to work tirelessly to help those with kidney disease.

The post Famous Black Celebs With Kidney Disease and How They Manage Their Health appeared first on Black Health Matters.

According to the CDC, the BA.5 variant is the dominant strain of COVID-19 in the country. Currently, it is hard to have an exact count of cases due to people taking at-home tests, but reinfections are increasing. For instance, 31,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized with COVID. Compared to last week, hospital admissions are up 4.5%, and per data from NY state, reinfections are trending upward.

What You Need to Know About the BA.5 Variant

How dangerous is the BA.5 variant for the vaccinated? There isn’t any evidence that this new variant causes more severe illness. Although infections are rising, a surge like last winter is unlikely, partly because of the number of vaccinated.

On average, there were about 300 deaths per day compared to 3,000 last winter. Dr. Anna Durbin, a professor at John Hopkins University School of Medicine, says the combination of prior infections and vaccinations is still protective.

“Most people have some underlying immunity that helps fight the virus,” she explains. “We have antivirals…And I think that because of that… we do not see a rise in deaths. And that’s very reassuring. It tells me that even this virus, even BA.5, is not so divergent that it is escaping all arms of the immune system.”

She also added that future booster shots targeting omicron should be helpful with prevention.

The Future Risks After Reinfection

A pre-print study published in June suggested that individuals who are reinfected multiple times may have a higher risk of long-COVID symptoms. Thousands of reinfection cases saw a wide range of issues, including:

• respiratory conditions
• cough
• shortness of breath
• fatigue
• brain fog
• metabolic disease
• cardiac disease
• kidney disease
• diabetes

Researchers took blood samples from individuals who were vaccinated and boosted and learned they had a reduced ability to neutralize the BA.5 virus. In addition, blood samples from people who had breakthrough infections from BA.1 also showed reduced neutralization.

The post Newest Omicron Subvariant BA.5 Increases Cases and Reinfection appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Black Health Matters: How important is NephCure’s work in the Black community?

Deja Ivy: Black people account for 13% of the population, but we are 32% of chronic kidney patients. When you walk into the dialysis center, you see so many of us, you see the health disparities plainly. Of the rare diseases NephCure focuses on, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a rare disease that affects the filters in your kidneys, is the one that impacts the Black community the most. There’s a hereditary component that makes you five times more likely to experience kidney failure and need dialysis. But if FSGS is caught early, it’s possible to stop or slow the damage and live a regular life. Our work is important because of the low quality of life for people on dialysis, but we’re also advocating for people to be aware and proactive in their kidney health.

Black Health Matters: What is NephCure’s outreach strategy?

Deja Ivy: Our strategy is to find trusted community partners to collaborate with to get the message out thatwe should be aware of FSGS. The conversations and research are happening—just not in the Black community. So, we work with churches, community centers, and online forums. In Atlanta, for instance, we have Cultural Conversations with Black kidney doctors and Black FSGS patients and monthly health fairs where doctors and nurses offer support. We’re about to roll out a community screening program where we offer urine tests to find out how much protein is in the urine, which indicates kidney disease, and genetic testing.

Black Health Matters: How is NephCure’s approach unique?

Deja Ivy: We’re unique because we meet patients and those at risk where they are by using different platforms to help people to start the discussion. We have webinars, educational articles, blog posts, support groups, and our Kidney Health Gateway, which connects people to top nephrologists and research. We really try to be a safe space for people with rare kidney disease. The safe space is needed because some people are embarrassed about having kidney disease. Others are confused about their kidneys, even those who have been diagnosed for some time. We’re just getting used to talking about diabetes and hypertension in our community, so we now need to get comfortable talking about kidney disease.

Black Health Matters: Part of your work is to increase awareness of clinical trials to underrepresented groups. How important is that?

Deja Ivy: It’s important for two reasons. First, the Black community has experienced plenty of burdens with clinical trials and research, but we haven’t received the benefit of it. There are many cutting-edge and life-saving treatments we could benefit from. Second, when we talk about therapies and treatments, we need to understand how we’re being impacted, and that understanding comes from clinical research. Black people are much more likely to have the APOL1 gene (a high-risk genotype present in about 75% of Black patients with FSGS) and a higher risk of developing kidney disease because of our ancestry. We need to participate and be included in research (and the same can be said for other underrepresented groups).

Black Health Matters: How is NephCure moving the needle?

Deja Ivy: I would say more broadly that we’re building a presence of color in this conversation. People are engaging, and they’re having conversations with their families. They’re going back to the community organizations and sharing when they’re having issues and experiencing barriers in their treatment. And that’s what’s moving the needle. In our Atlanta program, we have a young Black male in his early 20s with FSGS and APOL1. He shared his fears of clinical trials and his embarrassment and shame for having it. We’re helping to get people to feel comfortable talking about it—and that’s progress.

The post NephCure Shares Its Efforts to Encourage Conversation About Rare Kidney Diseases appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Urinary incontinence—the loss of bladder control—is a common and often embarrassing problem. The severity of urinary incontinence ranges from occasionally leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to having an urge to urinate that’s so sudden and strong you don’t get to a toilet in time.

If urinary incontinence affects your day-to-day activities, don’t hesitate to see your doctor. In most cases, simple lifestyle changes or medical treatment can ease your discomfort or stop urinary incontinence.

Symptoms

Urinary incontinence is the inability to control the release of urine from your bladder. Some people experience occasional, minor leaks—or dribbles—of urine. Others wet their clothes frequently.

Types of urinary incontinence include:

Stress incontinence. This is loss of urine when you exert pressure—stress—on your bladder by coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising or lifting something heavy. Stress incontinence occurs when the sphincter muscle of the bladder is weakened. In women, physical changes resulting from pregnancy, childbirth and menopause can cause stress incontinence. In men, removal of the prostate gland can lead to stress incontinence.

Urge incontinence. This is a sudden, intense urge to urinate, followed by an involuntary loss of urine. Your bladder muscle contracts and may give you a warning of only a few seconds to a minute to reach a toilet. With urge incontinence, you may need to urinate often, including throughout the night. Urge incontinence may be caused by urinary tract infections, bladder irritants, bowel problems, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, injury or nervous system damage associated with multiple sclerosis. If there’s no known cause, urge incontinence is also called overactive bladder.

Overflow incontinence. If you frequently or constantly dribble urine, you may have overflow incontinence, which is an inability to empty your bladder. Sometimes you may feel as if you never completely empty your bladder. When you try to urinate, you may produce only a weak stream of urine. This type of incontinence may occur in people with a damaged bladder, blocked urethra or nerve damage from diabetes, multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury. In men, overflow incontinence can also be associated with prostate gland problems.

Mixed incontinence. If you experience symptoms of more than one type of urinary incontinence, such as stress incontinence and urge incontinence, you have mixed incontinence.

Functional incontinence. Many older adults, especially people in nursing homes, experience incontinence simply because a physical or mental impairment keeps them from making it to the toilet in time. For example, a person with severe arthritis may not be able to unbutton his or her pants quickly enough. This is called functional incontinence.

Total incontinence. This term is sometimes used to describe continuous leaking of urine, day and night or the periodic uncontrollable leaking of large volumes of urine.

When to see a doctor

You may feel uncomfortable discussing incontinence with your doctor. But if incontinence is frequent or is affecting your quality of life, seeking medical advice is important for several reasons:

Urinary incontinence may indicate a more serious underlying condition, especially if it’s associated with blood in your urine.
Urinary incontinence may be causing you to restrict your activities and limit your social interactions to avoid embarrassment. Urinary incontinence may increase the risk of falls in older adults as they rush to make it to the toilet.

Causes

Urinary incontinence isn’t a disease, it’s a symptom. It can be caused by everyday habits, underlying medical conditions or physical problems. A thorough evaluation by your doctor can help determine what’s behind your incontinence.

Causes of temporary urinary incontinence

Certain foods, drinks and medications can cause temporary urinary incontinence. A simple change in habits can bring relief.
Alcohol. Alcohol acts as a bladder stimulant and a diuretic, which can cause an urgent need to urinate.

Overhydration. Drinking a lot of fluids, especially in a short period of time, increases the amount of urine your bladder has to deal with.

Caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic and a bladder stimulant that can cause a sudden need to urinate.

Bladder irritation. Carbonated drinks, tea and coffee—with or without caffeine—artificial sweeteners, corn syrup, and foods and beverages that are high in spice, sugar and acid, such as citrus and tomatoes, can aggravate your bladder.

Medications. Heart medications, blood pressure drugs, sedatives, muscle relaxants and other medications may contribute to bladder control problems.

Easily treatable medical conditions also may be responsible for urinary incontinence.

Urinary tract infection. Infections can irritate your bladder, causing you to have strong urges to urinate. These urges may result in episodes of incontinence, which may be your only warning sign of a urinary tract infection. Other possible signs and symptoms include a burning sensation when you urinate and foul-smelling urine.

Constipation. The rectum is located near the bladder and shares many of the same nerves. Hard, compacted stool in your rectum causes these nerves to be overactive and increase urinary frequency. In addition, compacted stool can sometimes interfere with the emptying of the bladder, which may cause overflow incontinence.

Causes of persistent urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence can also be a persistent condition caused by underlying physical problems or changes, including:

Pregnancy and childbirth. Pregnant women may experience stress incontinence because of hormonal changes and the increased weight of an enlarging uterus. In addition, the stress of a vaginal delivery can weaken muscles needed for bladder control. The changes that occur during childbirth can also damage bladder nerves and supportive tissue, leading to a dropped (prolapsed) pelvic floor. With prolapse, your bladder, uterus, rectum or small bowel can get pushed down from the usual position and protrude into your vagina. Such protrusions can be associated with incontinence.

Changes with aging. Aging of the bladder muscle leads to a decrease in the bladder’s capacity to store urine and an increase in overactive bladder symptoms. Risk of overactive bladder increases if you have blood vessel disease, so maintaining good overall health—including stopping smoking, treating high blood pressure and keeping your weight within a healthy range—can help curb symptoms of overactive bladder.After menopause women produce less estrogen, a hormone that helps keep the lining of the bladder and urethra healthy. With less estrogen, these tissues may deteriorate, which can aggravate incontinence.

Hysterectomy. In women, the bladder and uterus lie close to one another and are supported by many of the same muscles and ligaments. Any surgery that involves a woman’s reproductive system—for example, removal of the uterus (hysterectomy)—may damage the supporting pelvic floor muscles, which can lead to incontinence.
Painful bladder syndrome (interstitial cystitis). This chronic condition causes painful and frequent urination, and rarely, urinary incontinence.

Prostatitis. Loss of bladder control isn’t a typical sign of prostatitis, which is inflammation of the prostate gland—a walnut-sized organ located just below the male bladder. Even so, urinary incontinence sometimes occurs with this common condition.

Enlarged prostate. In older men, incontinence often stems from enlargement of the prostate gland, a condition also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Prostate cancer. In men, stress incontinence or urge incontinence can be associated with untreated prostate cancer. However, more often, incontinence is a side effect of treatments—surgery or radiation—for prostate cancer.

Bladder cancer or bladder stones. Incontinence, urinary urgency and burning with urination can be signs and symptoms of bladder cancer or bladder stones. Other signs and symptoms include blood in the urine and pelvic pain.

Neurological disorders. Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, a brain tumor or a spinal injury can interfere with nerve signals involved in bladder control, causing urinary incontinence.

Obstruction. A tumor anywhere along your urinary tract can block the normal flow of urine and cause incontinence, usually overflow incontinence. Urinary stones—hard, stone-like masses that can form in the bladder—may be to blame for urine leakage. Stones can be present in your kidneys, bladder or ureters.

Risk Factors

These factors increase your risk of developing urinary incontinence:

Sex. Women are more likely than men are to have stress incontinence. Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and normal female anatomy account for this difference. However, men with prostate gland problems are at increased risk of urge and overflow incontinence.

Age. As you get older, the muscles in your bladder and urethra lose some of their strength. Changes with age reduce how much your bladder can hold and increase the chances of involuntary urine release. However, getting older doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll have incontinence. Incontinence isn’t normal at any age—except during infancy.

Being overweight. Being obese or overweight increases the pressure on your bladder and surrounding muscles, which weakens them and allows urine to leak out when you cough or sneeze.

Smoking. A chronic cough associated with smoking can cause episodes of incontinence or aggravate incontinence that has other causes. Constant coughing puts stress on your urinary sphincter, leading to stress incontinence. Smoking may also increase the risk of overactive bladder by causing bladder contractions.

Other diseases. Kidney disease or diabetes may increase your risk for incontinence.

Complications

Complications of chronic urinary incontinence include:

Skin problems. Urinary incontinence can lead to rashes, skin infections and sores (skin ulcers) from constantly wet skin.
Urinary tract infections. Incontinence increases your risk of repeated urinary tract infections.

Changes in your activities. Urinary incontinence may keep you from participating in normal activities. You may stop exercising, quit attending social gatherings or even stop venturing away from familiar areas where you know the locations of toilets.

Changes in your work life. Urinary incontinence may negatively affect your work life. Your urge to urinate may cause you to have to get up often during meetings. The problem may disrupt your concentration at work or keep you awake at night, causing fatigue.

Changes in your personal life. Perhaps most distressing is the impact incontinence can have on your personal life. Your family may not understand your behavior or may grow frustrated at your many trips to the toilet. You may avoid sexual intimacy because of embarrassment caused by urine leakage. It’s not uncommon to experience anxiety and depression along with incontinence.

Tests and Diagnosis

Common tests and processes for urinary incontinence include:

Bladder diary. Your doctor may ask you to keep a bladder diary for several days. You record how much you drink, when you urinate, the amount of urine you produce, whether you had an urge to urinate and the number of incontinence episodes.
Urinalysis. A sample of your urine is sent to a laboratory, where it’s checked for signs of infection, traces of blood or other abnormalities.

Blood test. Your doctor may have a sample of your blood drawn and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Your blood is checked for various chemicals and substances related to causes of incontinence.

Specialized testing

If further information is needed, you may undergo additional testing, including:

Postvoid residual (PVR) measurement. For this procedure, you’re asked to urinate (void) into a container that measures urine output. Then your doctor checks the amount of leftover (residual) urine in your bladder using a catheter or ultrasound test. A catheter is a thin, soft tube that’s inserted into your urethra and bladder to drain any remaining urine. For an ultrasound, a wand-like device is placed over your abdomen. Using sound waves and a computer, the ultrasound creates an image of your bladder. A large amount of leftover urine in your bladder may mean that you have an obstruction in your urinary tract or a problem with your bladder nerves or muscles.

Pelvic ultrasound. Ultrasound also may be used to view other parts of your urinary tract or genitals to check for abnormalities.

Stress test. For this test, you’re asked to cough vigorously or bear down as your doctor examines you and watches for loss of urine.

Urodynamic testing. These tests measure pressure in your bladder when it’s at rest and when it’s filling. A doctor or nurse inserts a catheter into your urethra and bladder to fill your bladder with water. Meanwhile, a pressure monitor measures and records the pressure within your bladder. This test helps measure your bladder strength and urinary sphincter health, and it’s an important tool for distinguishing the type of incontinence you have.

Cystogram. In this X-ray of your bladder, a catheter is inserted into your urethra and bladder. Through the catheter, your doctor injects a fluid containing a special dye. As you urinate and expel this fluid, images show up on a series of X-rays. These images help reveal problems with your urinary tract.

Cystoscopy. A thin tube with a tiny lens (cystoscope) is inserted into your urethra. During cystoscopy, your doctor can check for—and potentially remove—abnormalities in your urinary tract.

Treatment

Treatment for urinary incontinence depends on the type of incontinence, the severity of your problem and the underlying cause. Your doctor will recommend the approaches best suited to your condition. A combination of treatments may be needed.

In most cases, your doctor will suggest the least invasive treatments first, so you’ll try behavioral techniques and physical therapy first and move on to other options only if these techniques fail.

Behavioral techniques

Behavioral techniques and lifestyle changes work well for certain types of urinary incontinence. They may be the only treatment you need.

Bladder training. Your doctor may recommend bladder training—alone or in combination with other therapies—to control urge and other types of incontinence. Bladder training involves learning to delay urination after you get the urge to go. You may start by trying to hold off for 10 minutes every time you feel an urge to urinate. The goal is to lengthen the time between trips to the toilet until you’re urinating every two to four hours.Bladder training may also involve double voiding—urinating, then waiting a few minutes and trying again. This exercise can help you learn to empty your bladder more completely to avoid overflow incontinence. In addition, bladder training may involve learning to control urges to urinate. When you feel the urge to urinate, you’re instructed to relax—breathe slowly and deeply—or to distract yourself with an activity.

Scheduled toilet trips. This means timed urination—going to the toilet according to the clock rather than waiting for the need to go. Following this technique, you go to the toilet on a routine, planned basis—usually every two to four hours.
Fluid and diet management. In some cases, you can simply modify your daily habits to regain control of your bladder. You may need to cut back on or avoid alcohol, caffeine or acidic foods. Reducing liquid consumption, losing weight or increasing physical activity are other lifestyle changes that can eliminate the problem.

Physical therapy

Pelvic floor muscle exercises. These exercises strengthen your urinary sphincter and pelvic floor muscles—the muscles that help control urination. Your doctor may recommend that you do these exercises frequently. They are especially effective for stress incontinence, but may also help urge incontinence.To do pelvic floor muscle exercises (Kegel exercises), imagine that you’re trying to stop your urine flow. Squeeze the muscles you would use to stop urinating and hold for a count of three and repeat.

With Kegel exercises, it can be difficult to know whether you’re contracting the right muscles and in the right manner. In general, if you sense a pulling-up feeling when you squeeze, you’re using the right muscles. Men may feel their penises pull in slightly toward their bodies. To double-check that you’re contracting the right muscles, try the exercises in front of a mirror. Your abdominal, buttock or leg muscles shouldn’t tighten if you’re isolating the muscles of the pelvic floor.

If you’re still not sure whether you’re contracting the right muscles, ask your doctor for help. Your doctor may suggest you work with a physical therapist or try biofeedback techniques to help you identify and contract the right muscles. Your doctor may also suggest vaginal cones, which are weights that help women strengthen the pelvic floor.
Electrical stimulation. In this procedure, electrodes are temporarily inserted into your rectum or vagina to stimulate and strengthen pelvic floor muscles. Gentle electrical stimulation can be effective for stress incontinence and urge incontinence, but it takes several months and multiple treatments to work.

Medications

Often, medications are used in conjunction with behavioral techniques. Drugs commonly used to treat incontinence include:
Anticholinergics. These prescription medications calm an overactive bladder, so they may be helpful for urge incontinence. Several drugs fall under this category, including oxybutynin (Ditropan), tolterodine (Detrol), darifenacin (Enablex), fesoterodine (Toviaz), solifenacin (Vesicare) and trospium (Sanctura). Possible side effects of these medications include dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision and flushing.

Topical estrogen. Applying low-dose, topical estrogen in the form of a vaginal cream, ring or patch may help tone and rejuvenate tissues in the urethra and vaginal areas. This may reduce some of the symptoms of incontinence.
Imipramine. Imipramine (Tofranil) is a tricyclic antidepressant that may be used to treat mixed—urge and stress—incontinence.

Duloxetine. The antidepressant medication duloxetine (Cymbalta) is sometimes used to treat stress incontinence.

Medical devices

Several medical devices are available to help treat incontinence. They’re designed specifically for women and include:
Urethral insert. This small tampon-like disposable device inserted into the urethra acts as a plug to prevent leakage. It’s usually used to prevent incontinence during a specific activity, but it may be worn throughout the day. Urethral inserts aren’t meant to be worn 24 hours a day. They are available by prescription and may work best for women who have predictable incontinence during certain activities, such as playing tennis. The device is inserted before the activity and removed before urination.

Pessary Your doctor may prescribe a pessary—a stiff ring that you insert into your vagina and wear all day. The device helps hold up your bladder, which lies near the vagina, to prevent urine leakage. You need to regularly remove the device to clean it. You may benefit from a pessary if you have incontinence due to a dropped (prolapsed) bladder or uterus.

Interventional therapies

Bulking material injections. Bulking agents are materials, such as carbon-coated zirconium beads (Durasphere), calcium hydroxylapatite (Coaptite) or polydimethylsiloxane (Macroplastique), that are injected into tissue surrounding the urethra. This helps keep the urethra closed and reduce urine leakage. The procedure—usually done in a doctor’s office—requires minimal anesthesia and takes about five minutes. The downside is that repeat injections are usually needed.

Botulinum toxin type A. Injections of onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) into the bladder muscle may benefit people who have an overactive bladder. Researchers have found this to be a promising therapy, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved this drug for incontinence. These injections may cause urinary retention that’s severe enough to require self-catheterization. In addition, repeat injections are needed every six to nine months.

Nerve stimulators. Sacral nerve stimulators can help control your bladder function. The device,which resembles a pacemaker, is implanted under the skin in your buttock. A wire from the device is connected to a sacral nerve—an important nerve in bladder control that runs from your lower spinal cord to your bladder. Through the wire, the device emits painless electrical pulses that stimulate the nerve and help control the bladder. Another device, the tibial nerve stimulator, is approved for treating overactive bladder symptoms. Instead of directly stimulating the sacral nerve, this device uses an electrode placed underneath the skin to deliver electrical pulses to the tibial nerve in the ankle. These pulses then travel along the tibial nerve to the sacral nerve, where they help control overactive bladder symptoms.

Surgery

If other treatments aren’t working, several surgical procedures have been developed to fix problems that cause urinary incontinence.

Some of the commonly used procedures include:

Sling procedures. A sling procedure uses strips of your body’s tissue, synthetic material or mesh to create a pelvic sling or hammock around your bladder neck and urethra. The sling helps keep the urethra closed, especially when you cough or sneeze. There are many types of slings, including tension-free, adjustable and conventional.

Bladder neck suspension. This procedure is designed to provide support to your urethra and bladder neck—an area of thickened muscle where the bladder connects to the urethra. It involves an abdominal incision, so it’s done using general or spinal anesthesia.

Artificial urinary sphincter. This small device is particularly helpful for men who have weakened urinary sphincters from treatment of prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate gland. Shaped like a doughnut, the device is implanted around the neck of your bladder. The fluid-filled ring keeps your urinary sphincter shut tight until you’re ready to urinate. To urinate, you press a valve implanted under your skin that causes the ring to deflate and allows urine from your bladder to flow.

Absorbent pads and catheters

If medical treatments can’t completely eliminate your incontinence—or you need help until a treatment starts to take effect—you can try products that help ease the discomfort and inconvenience of leaking urine.

Pads and protective garments. Various absorbent pads are available to help you manage urine loss. Most products are no more bulky than normal underwear, and you can wear them easily under everyday clothing. Men who have problems with dribbles of urine can use a drip collector—a small pocket of absorbent padding that’s worn over the penis and held in place by closefitting underwear. Men and women can wear adult diapers, pads or panty liners, which can be purchased at drugstores, supermarkets and medical supply stores.

Catheter. If you’re incontinent because your bladder doesn’t empty properly, your doctor may recommend that you learn to insert a soft tube (catheter) into your urethra several times a day to drain your bladder (self-intermittent catheterization). This should give you more control of your leakage, especially if you have overflow incontinence. You’ll be instructed on how to clean these catheters for safe reuse.

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Protecting your skin

Problems with urine leakage may require you to take extra care to prevent skin irritation. Some things you can do to protect your skin include:

Use a washcloth to clean yourself.

Allow your skin to air dry.

Avoid frequent washing and douching because these can overwhelm your body’s natural defenses against bladder infections.
Consider using a barrier cream, such as petroleum jelly or cocoa butter, to protect your skin from urine.

Making the toilet more convenient

If you have urge incontinence or nighttime incontinence:

Move any rugs or furniture you might trip over or collide with on the way to the toilet.

Use a night light to illuminate your path and reduce your risk of falling.

If you have functional incontinence, possible changes may include:

Keeping a bedpan in your bedroom

Installing an elevated toilet seat

Adding a bathroom in a more convenient location

Widening an existing bathroom doorway

Prevention

Urinary incontinence is not always preventable. However, you may be able to decrease your risk of incontinence with these steps:

Maintain a healthy weight. If you’re overweight, reaching a healthy weight may help.

Don’t smoke. Get help with quitting if you do smoke.

Practice Kegel exercises. Doctors often advise pregnant women to do Kegel exercises during pregnancy as a preventive measure.

Avoid bladder irritants. Avoiding or limiting certain foods and drinks may help prevent or limit urinary incontinence. For example, if you know that drinking more than two cups of coffee makes you have to urinate uncontrollably, cutting back to one cup of coffee or forgoing caffeine-containing drinks may be all that you need to do.

Eat more fiber. Including more fiber in your diet or taking fiber supplements can help prevent constipation, a risk factor for urinary incontinence.

Exercise. Physical activity reduces your risk of developing incontinence.

The post Bladder Basics: Urinary Incontinence appeared first on Black Health Matters.

A tenant of the Affordable Care Act is preventive care. That includes health screenings. Getting checked early can help you stop diseases like cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis in the beginning stages, when they’re easier to treat. In fact, screening tests can spot illnesses even before symptoms develop. Some tests (Pap test or breast exam) should be a routine part of every woman’s health care. Other tests might be necessary based on your age, family history, your own health history and other risk factors. So talk to your physician about being screened.
Breast Cancer
The earlier you find breast cancer, the better your chance of a cure. Small breast cancers are less likely to spread to lymph nodes and vital organs like the lungs and brain. If you’re in your 20s or 30s, your health-care provider should perform a breast exam as part of your regular check-up every one to three years. Mammograms are low-dose X-rays that can often find a lump before you ever feel it, though normal results don’t completely rule out cancer. While you’re in your 40s, you should have an annual mammogram. After age 50, switch to every other year. Your doctor may recommend more frequent screenings if you’re at higher risk.
Cervical Cancer
With regular Pap smears, cervical cancer is easy to prevent. Pap smears find abnormal cells on the cervix, which can be removed before they ever turn into cancer. The main cause of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), a type of STD. During a Pap smear, your doctor scrapes some cells off your cervix and sends them to a lab for analysis. You should get your first Pap smear by age 21 (earlier if you’re already sexually active), and every two years after that. If you’re 30 or older, you can get HPV tests, too, and wait a little longer between Pap smears.
Two vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix, can protect women younger than 26 from several strains of HPV. The vaccines don’t protect against all the cancer-causing strains of HPV (and not all cervical cancers are caused by HPV), so it’s still important to have routine Pap smears.
Osteoporosis
After menopause, women start to lose bone mass. (Note: Men get osteoporosis, too.) The first symptom is often a painful bone break after even a minor fall. In Americans age 50 and older, the disease contributes to about half the fractures in women. Though the common belief—even among some in the medical community—is that osteoporosis is a disease of white and Asian women, African Americans also contract this. A special type of X-ray called dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) can measure bone strength and find osteoporosis before breaks happen. It can also help predict the risk of future breaks. This screening is recommended for all women age 65 and older.
Skin Cancer
There are several kinds of skin cancer, and early treatment can be effective for them all. The most dangerous is melanoma. Some people have an inherited risk for this type of cancer, which may increase with overexposure to the sun. Basal cell and squamous cell are common non-melanoma skin cancers. Watch for changes in your skin, especially to moles and freckles. Pay attention to changes in their shape, color and size. And have your skin checked by a dermatologist or other health professional during your regular physicals.
High Blood Pressure
As you get older, your risk of high blood pressure increases, especially if you are overweight. High blood pressure can cause life-threatening heart attacks or strokes without any warning. Blood pressure readings include two numbers. The first (systolic) is the pressure of your blood when your heart beats. The second (diastolic) is the pressure between beats. Normal adult blood pressure is below 120/80. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is 140/90 or above. Ask your doctor how often you should have your blood pressure checked.
Cholesterol
High cholesterol can cause plaque to clog your arteries. Plaque can build up for many years without symptoms, eventually causing a heart attack or stroke. High blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking can all cause plaque to build up, too. To get your cholesterol checked, you’ll need to fast for 12 hours. Then you’ll take a blood test that measures total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides (blood fat). If you’re 20 or older, you should get this test at least every five years.
Type 2 Diabetes
One-third of Americans with diabetes don’t know they have it. Diabetes can cause heart or kidney disease, stroke, blindness from damage to the blood vessels of the retina and other serious problems. You can control diabetes with diet, exercise, weight loss, and medication, especially when you find it early. You’ll probably have to fast for eight hours or so before having your blood tested for diabetes. A blood sugar level of 100 to 125 may show prediabetes; 126 or higher may mean diabetes. Other tests include the A1C test and the oral glucose tolerance test. If you’re healthy and have a normal diabetes risk, you should be screened every three years starting at age 45. Talk to your doctor about getting tested earlier if you have a higher risk, like a family history of the disease.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. It’s spread through sharing blood or body fluids with an infected person, such as through unprotected sex or dirty needles. Pregnant women with HIV can pass the infection to their babies unless they take medication to prevent this. There is still no cure or vaccine, but early treatment with anti-HIV medications can help the immune system fight the virus. HIV can be symptom-free for many years. The ELISA or EIA (blood) test looks for antibodies to HIV. If you get a positive result, you’ll need a second test to confirm the results. Still, if you’ve been infected recently, you can test negative even if you’re infected, so you may need to repeat the test. Everyone should get tested at least once between ages 13 and 64, more often if you’re not in a monogamous relationship or have been engaging in risky behaviors.
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death after lung cancer. Most colon cancers come from polyps that grow on the inner lining of the large intestine. The polyps may or may not be cancerous. If they are, the cancer can spread to other parts of the body. Removing polyps early, before they become cancerous, can prevent it completely. A colonoscopy is a common screening test for colorectal cancer. While you’re mildly sedated, a doctor inserts a small flexible tube equipped with a camera into your colon. If she finds a polyp, she can often remove it right during the test. Another type of test is a flexible sigmoidoscopy, which looks into the lower part of the colon. If you’re at average risk, screening usually starts at age 50.
Proper screening won’t always prevent a disease, but it can often find a disease early enough to give you the best chance of overcoming it.

The post Get Screened! Tests Every Woman Needs appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Black Health Matters, the leading health and wellness communications platform, will host its 4^th Black Health Matters Summit virtually on July 18^th from 8:30am to 6:00pm.   This year, Black Health Matters will unveil its new slogan at the 4^th Black Health Matters Summit, being held virtually: “I Vote Because #BlackHealthMatters”. As President and founder, Roslyn Young-Daniels of Black Health Matters has stated,  “Now more than ever we live in a state of urgency that we want used to advance health equity.  Voting provides that opportunity.” When We All Vote will provide easy on-line access to voter registration for all participants in the virtual Summit who have yet to register to vote.

The Black Health Matters Summit is the biggest and most significant health and wellness event of the summer. It is free and open to the public. For more information and to register, visit BlackHealthMattersSummit.vfairs.com.

Black Health Matters Summit:

The Summit will focus on patient-centric issues convened to educate patients, caregivers, health enthusiasts, advocacy groups, and media outlets. We feature a world-class faculty, passionate about connecting with patients about advances in care, especially in the age of COVID-19:

• 20 BEST IN CLASS HEALTH CARE EXPERTS AND THOUGHT LEADERS
• LIVE CHAT Q&A WITH LEADING DOCTORS & ADVOCATES

Topics include: Affording Medications, Breast Cancer, Clinical Trials/Research Study Participation, Kidney Disease (FSGS); HIV/AIDS, Kidney Disease (FSGS), Fibroids/Endometriosis/Reproductive Health, Hereditary ATTTR amyloidosis, Heart Disease, Lung Cancer, Mental Health, Sickle Cell and Prostate Cancer.

Partners include: Akcea, Alnylam, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eisai, Gilead, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Myovant, Retrophin, Pfizer and PhRMA.  Community partners include: Empire State Medical Association and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

We want attendees to become intentional about their health by attending the biggest forum on health and wellness created for African American families.   They have the opportunity to dialogue with exceptional physicians, scientists, advocates and peers focused on health equity.  It’s our time to reaffirm that #BlackHealthMatters.

About Black Health Matters

Black Health Matters is a trusted health content and experiential woman-owned firm that offers digital, social and screening programs that reach consumers, patients and medical practitioners.  The platform, launched in 2012 prior to the Black Lives Matters movement to support the enactment of the Affordable Care Act.  The mission is to help newly insured and the medically underserved improve their health literacy through self-reflective and evidence-based health content.

Black Health Matters (BHM) is a leading provider of digital health and wellness solutions for African American consumers and patients.   BHM delivers a highly personalized content experience drawing from touch-points of the African American experience that empower and drive compliance. In 2020 Black Health Matters will host more than 20 virtual forums on African American health.  The organization is currently active with a men’s health education initiative launched in partnership with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

The post Black Health Matters Partners With Michelle Obama’s WHEN WE ALL VOTE appeared first on Black Health Matters.

What is CKD?

CKD is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood as well as they should. In the early stages of the disease, most people do not have symptoms. But as kidney disease gets worse—which is why it’s called “chronic”—wastes can build up in your blood and make you feel sick.

Risk Factors

Certain conditions may increase your risk for CKD:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Heart disease (heart failure)
• Obesity
• Being over age 60
• A history of smoking
• A kidney injury
• Family history of kidney disease

Side Effects

Those with CKD may develop other problems, like high blood pressure, anemia, weak bones, poor nutritional health, and nerve damage. Because kidneys are vital to so many of the body’s functions, kidney disease also increases your risk of having heart and blood vessel disease.

While these problems may happen slowly and without symptoms, they can lead to kidney failure, which can appear without warning. Once kidneys fail, dialysis or a kidney transplant is needed to stay alive.

Diagnosis

The only way to find out for sure if you have CKD is through specific blood and urine tests. These tests include measurement of both the creatinine level in the blood and protein in the urine.

Take a Proactive Approach

It’s critical for patients living with CKD to be proactive about their health and well-being. This includes being aware of things that they can do to improve the function of their kidneys and prevent disease progression and putting them into practice. Additionally, staying in tune with their body and monitoring for early signs of change is also important.

Several medications may be prescribed to manage CKD. Many patients take regular medication to control blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol to reduce the risk of disease progression. It is important that patients take the medications as prescribed regularly to get the most benefit.

Patients with CKD should also inform all health professionals involved in their healthcare that they are affected by CKD. This is because it can affect treatment decisions for other conditions and could have adverse effects if they are unaware of the specific circumstances.

Make Lifestyle Modifications

It is recommended that people get at least 30 minutes of low—to moderate-intensity activity daily, such as walking or cycling.

Clinical trials can also be considered. There are fewer clinical trials conducted in nephrology, which focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the kidney, than in any other specialty, experts say.

CKD trials like this one from AstraZeneca will build the evidence base to improve outcomes for people with the disease

A Few Kidney-Friendly Tips:

• Keep your blood pressure below 140/90 mm Hg (or the target your doctor establishes for you).
• If you have diabetes, stay in your target blood sugar range as much as possible.
• Get active—physical activity helps control blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
• Lose weight if you’re overweight.
• Get tested for CKD regularly if you’re at risk.
• If you have CKD, meet with a dietician to create a kidney-healthy eating plan. The plan may need to change as you get older or if your health status changes.
• Take medications as instructed, and ask your doctor about blood pressure medicines that may protect your kidneys and lower blood pressure.
• If you smoke, quit. Smoking can worsen kidney disease and interfere with medication that lowers blood pressure.
• Include a kidney doctor (nephrologist) on your healthcare team.

*Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The post Managing Chronic Kidney Disease appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Kidney diseases are a leading cause of death in the U.S. About 37 million adults in this country are estimated to have CKD, and most are undiagnosed. Forty percent of people with severely reduced kidney function (not on dialysis) aren’t even aware they have CKD.

CKD is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood as well as they should. Because of this, excess fluid and waste from blood remain in the body and may cause other health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.

Most people may not have any severe symptoms until their kidney disease is advanced. However, you may notice that you feel more tired and have less energy, trouble concentrating, a poor appetite, trouble sleeping, muscle cramping at night, and swollen feet and ankles, have puffiness around your eyes, especially in the morning, have dry, itchy skin, need to urinate more often, especially at night.

The level of disease severity has been used to classify CKD into various stages, from persistent kidney damage only (stage 1) to mild reduction in kidney function (stage 2) to moderate to severe reduction in kidney function (stage 3 and 4).

Stage 5 refers to the advanced stage of CKD also termed “kidney failure,” which can progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), a term that implies kidney failure has reached the point of requiring dialysis therapy or kidney transplantation to maintain life.

While progression to ESRD is a well-known and serious complication of CKD, it is now well-recognized that premature death and morbidity (especially cardiovascular morbidity) are far more frequent outcomes compared to ESRD.

Chronic kidney disease can affect almost every part of your body. Potential complications include fluid retention, a sudden rise in potassium levels, anemia, heart disease, weak bones, decreased sex drive, damage to your central nervous system, and decreased immune response.

Anyone can get CKD at any age. However, some people are more likely than others to develop kidney disease. You may have an increased risk for kidney disease if you have diabetes, have high blood pressure, have a family of kidney failure, or are older.

CKD is more common in people aged 65 years or older (38%) than in people aged 45-64 years (12%) or 18-44 years (6%). It’s slightly more common in women (14%) than men (12%). CKD is also more common in non-Hispanic Black adults (16%) than in non-Hispanic White adults (13%) or non-Hispanic Asian adults (13%). About 14% of Hispanic adults have CKD.

Blacks have a higher incidence and prevalence of CKD than any other racial or ethnic group. This population also requires dialysis or transplant at younger ages than any other group. These disparities in incidence and prevalence have been proven to be a function of high levels of CKD risk factors in Blacks, including diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.

Despite the tremendous impact of CKD on health, quality of life, and health care costs, the U.S. has thus far not developed a comprehensive, systematic surveillance program to monitor this important condition, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.

Such a system would help not only in documenting the burden of CKD and its risk factors in the U.S. population over time, but also in tracking the progress of CDC efforts to prevent, detect, and manage CKD and its complications.

If you’re at risk for kidney disease, get your kidneys checked regularly, which is done by your doctor with simple blood and urine tests. Regular testing is your best chance for identifying CKD early if you do develop it. Early treatment is most effective and can help prevent additional health problems.

The post What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

When lupus severely affects the kidneys and causes kidney disease, it is called lupus nephritis. This is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the kidney in patients with SLE. 

Lupus nephritis is a common but serious lupus-related health complication, affecting up to 60% of lupus patients. Blacks, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics are all populations at high risk for developing lupus nephritis.

In severe cases, lupus nephritis may cause permanent kidney scarring. Patients with lupus nephritis are at a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer and heart problems. Without adequate treatment, lupus nephritis may result in impaired kidney function, and many patients progress to end stage renal disease requiring dialysis or kidney transplant.

There is no cure for this disease, but treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent disease progression.

If you have been diagnosed with lupus nephritis, consider participating in a clinic trial. Click here to learn more about an ongoing study of an investigational medication.

Is it Lupus Nephritis?

Recognizing lupus nephritis involves understanding the signs and symptoms that indicate kidney involvement. Signs and symptoms may vary. Some symptoms may not be noticeable initially and may take up to 5 years to be recognized. The most common symptoms include:

• Weight gain
• Swelling (usually in the legs, feet, ankles, or around the eyes)
• Urine changes
  • Frequent urination
  • Blood or protein in urine (may only be visible under a microscope)
  • Dark urine
  • Foamy, frothy urine
• High levels of waste (creatinine) in your blood
• High blood pressure

If you are experiencing symptoms or have concerns, your healthcare provider can complete further testing to determine if a lupus nephritis diagnosis is appropriate. 

Join the Research

Early detection is key to being proactive about preventing further kidney damage and ensuring optimal treatment outcomes. Regular checkups and communication with your healthcare provider are equally as important. 

Clinical trials are another way to raise awareness and improve treatment options, as researchers test new possible therapies and gain a deeper understanding of the condition as a whole. Participating in a clinical trial allows you to contribute to the advancement of your own health and the lupus community at large. 

Currently, due to a number of different factors, Black patients are unfortunately underrepresented in clinical trials. Improving representation in medical research is a collective effort that may involve you taking the first step. You may be able to participate in an important new study and potentially avoid further damage to your kidneys. 

Join the search for a better way to protect your kidneys. Learn more here.

– – –

References:

1. NIH – Lupus and Kidney Disease (Lupus Nephritis)
2. Lupus Foundation of America – Lupus Facts and Statistics
3. CDC – Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
4. National Kidney Foundation – Lupus and Kidney Disease (Lupus Nephritis)
5. Lupus Foundation of America – What is Lupus Nephritis?
6. American Kidney Fund – Lupus Nephritis: Symptoms, treatment, and complications
7. NIH – The State of Lupus Clinical Trials: Minority Participation Needed
8. National Kidney Foundation – Are Clinical Trials Safe?

The post Lupus Nephritis: Know the Signs and Join the Research appeared first on Black Health Matters.

It is common for someone with MM to go through several of these cycles. The time between receiving medicine, response, and relapse—as well as the number of cycles—can vary from person to person.

As the symptoms and needs of the person you’re caring for change, your role as a caregiver may also change. But there are some things you can do consistently to help, no matter where in the cycle the person’s MM may be:

• Understand how the disease can impact the person with MM physically. Below are the most common medical issues associated with MM and the medicines for it. If the person you’re caring for experiences any of these symptoms, contact his or her healthcare team.

• Keep track of all the medicines the person with MM is taking. Medicines used to treat MM can also cause changes to the person’s health.
• Keep an open dialogue with the person with MM. Make sure the person is comfortable talking with you about how he or she is feeling.
• Keep a running list of changes in health and other issues. Bring this list to each doctor appointment to discuss anything of concern. It’s important to be open and honest about any changes the person is going through, so the healthcare team can provide the best care and medicine for MM.
• Talk with the person’s healthcare team about the options available at each stage in the journey. That way, you can stay informed and educated about his or her care and become an active participant in making decisions.
• Help the person with MM stay as healthy as possible. It’s important to encourage people with MM to eat and drink right, rest, and reduce physical activity. To reduce the risk of infection, people with MM should limit contact with sick people and maintain personal hygiene. As MM progresses, you will also likely need to help with more everyday tasks.

This article is brought to you by Janssen.

The post Caring for Someone With Multiple Myeloma appeared first on Black Health Matters.

As a dialysis patient, I am constantly thinking about my health. When I was in college, I was diagnosed with acute kidney failure. One month before graduation, I went to the emergency room because I was experiencing extreme fatigue and nausea. That’s when doctors told me that without dialysis, I would die within 2 or 3 days.

Becoming a dialysis patient changes your life. As a 23-year-old, my world was completely uprooted. But I decided then that I didn’t need to stop living my life just because I was on dialysis. I made it my personal mantra to make dialysis work around my life, rather than making my life work around dialysis. I enjoyed interacting with clinic staff and other dialysis patients and began doing schoolwork during my treatments. I also began advocating for others with kidney disease in my home state of Louisiana, becoming an Ambassador for the American Kidney Fund (AKF), the country’s leading organization that fights on all fronts for kidney disease patients.

Cut to the pandemic. I was earning my second master’s degree in public health and epidemiology, and before the world officially shut down, I made a personal decision to protect my health and stop coming to campus. By this point, I was doing home-dialysis treatments, which meant I didn’t need to venture out to a dialysis clinic three times a week. And while home-dialysis helped keep me safe from contracting COVID-19, it also led to a much lonelier routine. I was no longer able to travel, regularly socialize with other kidney advocates or my sorority sisters, which was a much different lifestyle than I was used to.

In October 2020, I began a new job as a program coordinator in a hospital pharmacy, where I am responsible for data analysis and compliance for a federal program. When the hospital started offering vaccines to its employees, I called my dialysis clinic right away for their advice. They recommended I get vaccinated as soon as possible.

More than half a million Americans have kidney failure, relying on dialysis to survive. Patients on dialysis have been at particular risk of COVID-19 infection, with a significant increase in hospitalizations and death in 2020 due to the pandemic. Communities of color have been hit the hardest—experiencing higher rates of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization and death. These communities are also disproportionately impacted by kidney failure: Black people make up just 13% of the U.S. population but account for 35% of Americans with kidney failure. They are nearly four times more likely than white people to develop kidney failure.

That’s part of the reason I am so committed to my volunteer role as an AKF Ambassador. AKF has been advocating for the kidney community throughout the pandemic, including a recent successful push to encourage the Biden-Harris Administration to directly provide dialysis clinics with vaccines, because clinics have experience vaccinating their patients for other diseases. AKF met with Congressional leaders and Biden-Harris Administration officials, and on March 25, the White House announced that COVID-19 vaccines would be distributed to dialysis clinics. This was a huge win—increasing access to lifesaving vaccines for historically underserved communities that need it most.

I recognize that I was fortunate to be offered a COVID-19 vaccine through my job, in the early stages of the vaccine dissemination. I also recognize that as someone who works in public health and as a woman of color, I have an opportunity to lead by example. Hopefully, seeing me get vaccinated for COVID-19, and showing that it is safe, will be a positive influence for others in the kidney community, and those in the Black community who are at greater risk of complications from kidney disease, who may be hesitant about getting it.

I understand the hesitation that some, particularly those in the Black community, may have about the COVID-19 vaccines. But as someone who has studied epidemiology, clinical toxicology and public health extensively, I know that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh any potential risks. I have a deep understanding of how vaccines work and feel confident in the science behind them.

I got my second dose of the vaccine in January, and the only side effect was a sore arm. I hope my story as a dialysis patient getting vaccinated for COVID-19 will encourage others who may be nervous or on the fence to go ahead and get it. Right now, getting the vaccine is the best thing we can do to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

—Leigh-Ann Williams, American Kidney Fund Ambassador

The post Why I Got the COVID-19 Vaccine as a Dialysis Patient appeared first on Black Health Matters.

NephCure International, a non-profit organization focused on kidney disease, has published a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) discussing the COVID-19 vaccines and how they relate to kidney patients.

The information within this publication is specifically for:

• People with Chronic Kidney Disease, Including Nephrotic Syndrome and Related Protein Spilling Conditions
• People on Dialysis
• Post-Transplant Kidney Patients

Here are some of the highlighted questions.

1) Does the COVID-19 vaccine affect the kidneys?

There is no evidence to suggest the COVID-19 vaccine will directly affect your kidneys. The COVID-19 vaccine trains your immune system to fight against any future COVID-19 infection. Vaccines train your immune system to fight disease.

2) Should rare kidney disease patients get the COVID-19 vaccine?

If you have chronic kidney disease at any stage or have received an organ transplant, you are at an increased risk for complications from the COVID-19 virus. As with any vaccine, you have the choice to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. We strongly encourage you to have a conversation with your doctor to decide if the vaccine is right for you and your condition.

3) Will the COVID-19 vaccine trigger relapse in Nephrotic Syndrome and other protein-spilling disease patients?

This is unknown. Just like other vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccine creates an immune response which has the possibility of triggering a relapse. As more protein-spilling kidney disease patients get vaccinated, data will reveal the effects of the vaccine. However, we encourage you to talk to your doctor to see if the benefit of the vaccine outweighs the potential for a relapse. While the causes of Nephrotic Syndrome relapses are sometimes hard to trace, it is recommended that after you get the COVID-19 vaccine, you monitor any symptoms and regularly check your urine protein with dipsticks for several days afterward. It is important for anyone, regardless of whether you get the COVID-19 vaccine or not, to maintain frequent handwashing, wear a mask, practice social distancing, and avoid large crowds. We strongly encourage you to talk to your doctor about whether getting the vaccine is right for you and your condition.

Read and download the full list of COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs for Kidney Disease Patients here.

The post NephCure’s COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs for Kidney Disease Patients appeared first on Black Health Matters.

CKD that leads to kidney failure—described as end-stage kidney disease when treated with a kidney transplant or dialysis—can can make these challenges worse. The good news is that a kidney transplant can reverse or improve most of these problems. Dialysis can also improve or correct these problems. Most children with CKD who receive appropriate treatment can attend school, graduate from high school and go on to college or vocational school. However, families of children with CKD or kidney failure need to recognize these children may need additional guidance and understanding.

Children are a fairly small proportion of the 37 million Americans living with chronic kidney disease, but most children who develop kidney failure have underlying congenital anomalies of their kidneys and urinary tracts. As with nearly every other health disparity, African American children with kidney disease receive differential medical care. They are referred less quickly for kidney transplant than white children, and they spend longer on dialysis than non-Black children.

If your child has been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, you are likely feeling distressed and confused. These feelings are normal. Once you accept your child’s new reality, you can develop practical ways to cope with the day-to-day aspects of it, starting with these helpful tips:

Educate yourself about the disease and its treatments.

• Learn as much about your child’s disease and its treatment as possible. Share this information with your child. You’ll be surprised at how much even very young children can understand. Many times they will accept information more easily than an adult.
• Encourage your child to ask questions—of you, their doctors and other health professionals. Your child might have questions you haven’t thought about or were afraid to ask because you thought they sounded silly.
• Don’t try to explain more than your child can understand. Don’t lie either, and don’t apologize for treatments or procedures that have to be followed.
• Help your child understand that the doctors, nurses, social workers, dietitians, laboratory personnel and everyone else is on his or her side. They all want to help your child feel better, even if that means they have to do things that will cause temporary pain or discomfort.

Participate in your child’s care.

• Develop a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation with health professionals.
• Write all the details of your child’s medical history, including dates. This will make it easier for you each time you come in contact with a new doctor.
• Try to be with your child as much as possible during treatments and any hospitalization that might be necessary. If you cannot be there, arrange for someone else to be present—a relative or close family friend. And make sure to take a favorite book, stuffed animal or special blanket.
• If your child is not talking yet, tape a note to his or her hospital bed or crib with helpful information for the staff, such as favorite foods, special toys or blankets, preferred time and method of taking medicines.

Help your child take control of the illness.

• Try to maintain a normal daily routine, even during hospital stays.
• Help your child understand about doctor’s offices, hospitals, dialysis units and laboratories and how they are used. By helping your child understand the places filled with strange instruments and machines, you can help eliminate a lot of your child’s fear.
• Be creative in finding ways for your child to participate in his or her own care. Your child will feel much more in control if you provide as many opportunities to do so as you can.

Help your child to understand diet restrictions.

• Even a child as young as 2 or 3 can understand about diet if it is explained in age-appropriate terms. Often, a child will be more compliant with dietary restrictions than an adult.
• Have your child make a list of favorite foods and take him or her with you when you talk to the dietitian to see if these foods can be incorporated into the diet plan.
• Don’t ever use bribes or force your child to eat. These tactics rarely work and more often turn mealtime into an unpleasant experience.

Don’t let medicine time ruin your day.

• Even small children will swallow something no matter how distasteful if they know they have no choice.
• A good trick with babies and small children is to use syringes minus the needles to dispense medication. Not only can you measure medicine more accurately, but you can squirt the liquid directly in your child’s mouth instead of having to deal with a teaspoon (associated with food) or a medicine cup. The benefit to your child is in not having to smell the medicine as well as taste it.
• Offer your child a choice of when and where they take their medicine. Once that choice is made, make a schedule and stick to it.
• If medication must be given with meals, don’t give it at the table where your child eats. Find someplace not associated with food and eating, such as the family room while your child is distracted by a favorite TV show.
• If your child is on a fluid-restricted diet, water may be one of the things he or she would like to have most, so reserve part of the day’s fluid intake for a couple of swallows after medicine time.

Keep schools in the loop.

• Talk to school administrators and teachers about the effects of CKD and how they might affect your child’s school day.
• Children with kidney failure may miss school each week because of dialysis and medical appointments. These absences can compound learning problems many children with CKD face. Try to schedule treatments outside of school hours.

Share your experience with others.

• Don’t become isolated. Talk with the renal staff and other families of children with kidney disease.
• Ask relatives and friends for help. Chances are they want to, but don’t know how, and are waiting for you to ask. Sharing your experience will help you find ways to grow with it.

The post Caring for Kids With Chronic Kidney Disease appeared first on Black Health Matters.

In 2002, Mott started having excruciating migraines. As a busy financial adviser, he wanted to succeed at work and continue his active lifestyle. He sought help from doctors, but found disappointing bias while trying to be treated.

The first doctor Mott saw diagnosed high blood pressure. The doctor gave Mott this advice: “The [blood pressure medicine] won’t work if I don’t cut back on fried foods and canned goods,” he recalled. But Mott takes his health seriously; he exercises regularly and enjoys fresh fruits and vegetables from farmers markets. 

Mott changed doctors. “If your blood pressure is high and you’ve been doing cocaine a long time, it can interfere with the drugs,” doctor number two said. 

Again, Mott found himself on the hunt for a doctor.  His third attempt was met with: “If you are using steroids, this could be the reason that the medicine can’t work.”

Frustrated and in need of effective help, Mott called his HMO and found a doctor at a women’s clinic. It was here where everything changed for the better.

“The issue was similar. We couldn’t get my blood pressure down. The doctor’s response was different,” Mott said. She knew “with my active lifestyle, it shouldn’t be hard to control my blood pressure. She suggested that I see a nephrologist.”

Mott took tests and had a biopsy. He was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a disease that attacks the kidney’s filtering units. This causes serious scarring, which can lead to kidney damage and failure. 

Mott was shocked. “Within two years from the diagnosis, you have to have a transplant or dialysis. If you do nothing you could die,” he said.  But this life changing news didn’t dim his hopeful outlook. “I wanted to enjoy life and plan for things to go well,” he said. He also remembered seeing his mom and her positive outlook as she lived through her health challenges. “My mom had a lot of health issues and she had the best attitude.”

By 2015, Mott’s doctor suggested he start looking for a donor. He had a transplant in 2017 and never had to undergo kidney dialysis. When he started looking for a donor, he shared the news with five or six friends. A year later after sharing his diagnosis on Facebook, a friend from college donated a kidney. 

As friends were offering to help, some revealing news was shared. “Two of my friends learned about some health issues that they had while going through the extensive physical to be a donor.”

Sharing the news, looking for a donor, and getting the support helped Mott’s outlook. “This was a great experience for me and my friends,” he shares. 

Mott didn’t have to make a dramatic change to his lifestyle because everything was gradual, and though there were missteps by his first doctors, they caught his FSGS early. “My biggest change was the three-month recovery period, as well as some interactions with medications. You have to monitor your diet and what you eat. It is not difficult, but it is constant,” he said. 

Mott encourages others to advocate for themselves when working with doctors and health care professionals. As he advocates for himself, he also advocates for others.

Mott is a board member of NephCure Kidney International, a non-profit organization with a mission to “accelerate research for effective treatments for rare forms of nephrotic syndrome, and to provide education and support that will improve the lives of those affected by these protein-spilling kidney diseases.”

His work with the organization allows him to speak, sit on panels, and communicate with doctors regarding research and treatments. It was at his first volunteer meeting at NephCure that he learned FSGS was a rare disease. Sharing his story, he also learned that two of his fraternity brothers at his alumni chapter had FSGS and they were all seeing the same nephrologist. This is why he also advocates for clinical trials. “If we are not participating, we are not involved in the research,” Mott said. “We can’t address the issues if we are not in the trials.

“Most people with FSGS, especially African American males, are dealing with people who are not experts in FSGS. There is no set protocol, which means your doctor will be trying different things.”

As Mott continues his advocacy work and his career as a financial planner, he also continues to live life to the fullest and meet challenges with a positive outlook. 

He shares the following advice for those living with kidney disease:

1. Be aware of what makes you happy and what stresses you out. Stress is the worst thing for you.
2. Advocate for yourself and find a doctor you trust and one with whom you can communicate openly.
3. Keep up a healthy lifestyle with proper diet and exercise. 

—Yvelette Stines

The post Living With FSGS: Kevin Mott on Advocating for Himself and Others appeared first on Black Health Matters.

There are dietary restrictions when it comes to foods that kidney patients can consume. The restrictions of the meals depend on the stage of kidney disease as well as the overall health of the patient. “Many patients are in kidney disease because of diabetes or hypertension,” says William Craig R.D. Keeping this in mind, there are also other reasons patients have kidney disease. When preparing foods, it is important to take all of this into consideration. 

There are many kidney-friendly options that can be prepared for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.

For someone who is in stage one, “this is a minimal stage so you can probably continue to eat a ‘normal’ meal plan,” advised Craig. When the stages increase, so do the restrictions.

For example, fruits and vegetables are the go-to food for an overall healthy diet. For kidney patients you have to be careful as you get into stage two and three. “Fruits and vegetables have high levels of potassium. This the number one nutrient that controls the beat of the heart. When you are in stage three for example, you want to minimize the fruits and vegetables that have high potassium levels,” explained Craig.

The restrictions can be overwhelming for both the patient and the person who is preparing the food. One way to help everyone involved is to have options. “The best way to prepare meals is don’t say ‘you can only have this or that’ give the person options,” explained Craig. This way you have enough variety to keep meals creative and the patient will not feel as restricted.

Anyone who is preparing meals for an individual living with kidney disease Craig said keep the following in mind: 

Protein. “Many kidney patients are losing tissue, and tissue is replaced by protein. You want to use the protein to replace the tissue that is lost.” When you choose meats, make it fresh. “Meats like fresh chicken and turkey are good. The packaged meats have too much sodium.”

Beverages. If you are preparing food for someone on dialysis, “they should not drink more than 32 ounces of any fluid total.” When the body is overhydrated, “the kidneys are no longer helping the body get rid of the fluid.” 

Nutrients. We often hear it is important to get a healthy dose of vitamins and nutrients, but for kidney patients, you must be careful. The restrictions are higher depending on the stage. Take potassium for example. “If you are at stage two, begin to eat fruits and vegetables in moderation. By stage three you are being advised to minimize the levels of fruits and vegetables that have potassium because it speeds up the heartbeat,” Craig advised. “If you are at stage three of four, you shouldn’t exceed 2 grams of fruits or vegetables with potassium.” He does remind us this is also subjective. “Most people have kidney disease because of diabetes and high blood pressure; we must understand the underlying factor as to why they have [the disease].”  

Calcium is another nutrient. “In stage two you can see the impact of calcium moving around. When your blood vessels become clogged with calcium, you get a stroke. The calcium needs to be balanced in the body,” he said. The other important nutrient is phosphorous. For those who are in the later stages, “because phosphorus is in everything you eat, you have to take a phosphorus binder every time you put something in your mouth.” 

Keeping these general tips in mind, the following meal plans are easy options to prepare: 

Breakfast
White toast
Two eggs
Apple sauce
Cranberry juice

Lunch
Sandwich with white bread
Iceberg lettuce
Tuna fish
Turkey or chicken (fresh)
1/2 teaspoon of mayo
Juice
Apple

Dinner
Beef, chicken or turkey
Rice
Freshly prepared green beans or string beans
Beverage 

Snacks
Apples
Unsalted and buttered popcorn
Pear
Cranberry juice

With the holidays coming up and keeping these tips in mind, there are a plethora of options that kidney patients can eat. Again, the key is moderation.

Items like cranberry sauce, turkey, dressing, steamed string beans or cabbage, and cauliflower are good choices. Cauliflower is a good potato alternative. If you are going to prepare traditional potatoes for a kidney patient, you will have to prepare it to take the potassium out. “Peel and cut the potato, soak it overnight, then prepare it,” Craig said. “About a cup or two-thirds is enough for a serving.”

Planning meals overall helps save time and will help all involved stay healthy.

—Yvelette Stines

The post Plan Kidney-Friendly Meals in a Snap! appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The research also found that having type 2 diabetes or kidney disease and living in high-population density areas are also associated with higher risk for COVID-19 hospitalization.

The study indicates that racial disparities in COVID-19 hospitalization cannot be explained even after considering age, sex, neighborhood socioeconomic status and comorbidities, said Tian Gu, the study’s first author and a doctoral candidate at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health. Researchers did not find differences between African American and white patients in intensive care units and mortality outcomes. 

“Knowing risk profiles associated with severe COVID outcomes can help us protect ourselves and protect the most vulnerable,” Gu said. “This calls for strategic action plans to eliminate health inequities that have persisted in our social system.”

Gu and colleagues used electronic health data from Michigan Medicine hospitals. They looked at a cohort of 5,698 patients tested for or diagnosed with COVID-19 between March 10 and April 22. A group of randomly selected, untested individuals were included for comparison. 

The researchers examined factors such as race/ethnicity, age, smoking, alcohol consumption, body mass index and residential-level socioeconomic characteristics. They also compared comorbidities such as circulatory disease, liver disease, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease.

“We were able to connect the geocoded residence to census tract data to derive these residential variables, which was a new aspect of our study,” Gu said. “We also noticed some differences in the effect of obesity and prior cancer diagnosis having stronger association with COVID susceptibility in Black patients. On the other hand, the chances of hospitalization with overall comorbidity burden and type 2 diabetes were stronger in white patients.”

Senior author Bhramar Mukherjee, professor and chair of the department of biostatistics at U-M’s School of Public Health, said the results support targeted screening for elderly adults, members of the Black community and those with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease.

“Our findings highlight that poor COVID-19 outcomes are disproportionately associated with at-risk populations: elderly adults, those with pre-existing conditions and those in population-dense communities,” she said. “We call for increased investments in testing and prevention efforts in lower socioeconomic status, densely populated and racially diverse communities. It is these same communities that are home to a greater proportion of essential workers and thus need increased testing and protection.”

From Michigan Health

The post Black Folks With Type 2 Diabetes, Kidney Disease at Higher Risk of COVID-19 Hospitalization appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Dr. Gbadegesin (pronounced bah-deh-GEH-shin) is the co-director of the Duke CTSA KL2 program and the program director of the Duke Pediatric Research Scholar program. He was elected into the American Society for Clinical Investigation in 2016. Dr. Gbadegesin is also an investigator at the Duke Molecular Physiology Institute speaking about kidney disease, specifically FSGS or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.  

In the last 10 years, Dr. Gbadegesin and his colleagues have identified at least five genetic causes of steroid resistant FSGS and other kidney diseases. He chatted with Black Health Matters about this disease in children.

BHM: What exactly is FSGS?

Dr. Gbadegesin: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis or FSGS is a kidney condition that causes progressive scarring of the kidney filters, leading to permanent kidney damage requiring dialysis and kidney transplantation. FSGS manifests as leaking of protein in the urine, low blood protein (known as albumin), body swelling, elevated cholesterol and progressive kidney damage.

BHM: Is it linked to a higher rate of childhood mortality or adult mortality? Or any long-lasting physical effects?

Dr. Gbadegesin: It is a chronic and debilitating condition that has significant effects on the health of affected individuals. It is particularly severe in children because it can have long-term impact on their growth and development. It is associated with higher mortality in both children and adults, and it is a leading cause of kidney failure among people of African ancestry.

BHM: Are there any treatments? What are they, and what are any possible side effects?

Dr. Gbadegesin: There is currently no approved treatment. We use a combination of immune suppression medications, such as steroids and medications that lower protein in the urine. A combination of these medications will be effective in only 30 percent of affected individuals. None of these medications are specifically designed to treat FSGS, and they are associated with major side effects.

BHM: How will this affect (if at all) a child’s physical, intellectual or social development?

Dr. Gbadegesin: This is a progressive disease; therefore, it has a long-lasting effect on the physical and psychosocial development of a child.

BHM: Will this place any restrictions on their activities?

Dr. Gbadegesin: Yes, if they have uncontrolled body swelling. Also, with progressive kidney damage, they get tired easily.

BHM: Should a parent alter their family’s diet to help treat or manage this? 

Dr. Gbadegesin: With progressive kidney damage, the body cannot handle water, salt, high protein load and other minerals effectively, so you will need to discuss with your child’s kidney doctor, who will work collaboratively with a kidney nutritionist to come up with plans. Also, when the child is swollen, you may have to restrict water and salt intake.

BHM: What are some resources you might have to help a family manage this diagnosis, including lists of suggested foods, activities or dietary supplements?

Dr. Gbadegesin: There are many resources available, but your best source of information is your child’s kidney doctor and the members of the multidisciplinary team, including dietitians, social workers, psychologists, child life specialists and nurse practitioners. 

BHM: Are there any organizations that would help a child meet peers who are also suffering from this or that might help put families in touch with other parents with a child who has this—or a similar—diagnosis?

Dr. Gbadegesin: Yes, there are multiple organizations out there. A leading organization that has been in the forefront of raising awareness and finding a cure for this condition is Nephcure Kidney International.

BHM: What is the long-term prognosis for children who are diagnosed with this? Can a child with FSGS still be able to live a long, healthy, “normal” life? 

Dr. Gbadegesin: The most important prognostic factor is response to all the medications we currently use in the treatment of the disease. If your child responds to this medication and enters complete remission, the long-term outlook for normal kidney function is very good. 

Unfortunately, only about 30 percent of children will be responsive to therapy. In those that are unresponsive, a majority will develop permanent progressive kidney scarring leading to dialysis and kidney transplantation within five to 10 years of diagnosis. 

Even after kidney transplantation, about 40 percent of children may have recurrence of the disease in their new kidney. The most important goal in therapy is to form a close therapeutic alliance with your child’s provider to work towards finding an effective treatment that will slow the rate of progression of the disease.  Also, there are multiple ongoing research studies trying to understand the disease better and find new therapies. So, there is light at the end of the dark tunnel.

The post Is There a Light at the End of the Dark Tunnel of Kidney Disease in Children? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

And one of the biggest drivers of these outcomes, researchers found, was the level of medical complexity the young patients faced. Many children with chronic kidney disease also have multiple other chronic health conditions that adversely impact outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and difficulties in growth.

“Chronic kidney disease is a lifelong health issue that has an outsized burden on children’s lives,” said lead author Zubin Modi, M.D., pediatric nephrologist at Michigan Medicine C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and researcher with at the Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center.

“We wanted to improve our knowledge of this high-risk population in order to better support the needs of chronically ill children with kidney disease. Our findings suggest that these patients have very complex health needs, and we need to determine more effective ways to provide them with the care they need before, during and after hospitalization.”

Chronic kidney disease includes long-term abnormalities of kidney structure or function that may progress to end-stage kidney disease requiring dialysis or a transplant. Children with the condition are also at risk for acute deteriorations in health secondary to infection, dehydration and side effects associated with medications.

Researchers analyzed national data during 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2016. Of the 6.5 million national pediatric hospital discharges, nearly 4 percent involved children with chronic kidney disease, according to the findings published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases.

Children with chronic kidney disease spent about 30 percent longer in the hospital (an average of 2.8 days compared to 1.8 days for those without a chronic kidney disease) with nearly 60 percent more in hospital expenses ($8,755 per hospitalization compared to $5,016).

Children with chronic kidney disease were also 50 percent more likely to die during hospitalization. 

“Data on in-hospital mortality for children with chronic illnesses is lacking, but we know that hospitalizations with a chronic kidney disease diagnosis have a higher mortality than those with other chronic condition diagnoses with the exception of heart failure,” Modi said. “The fact that these children are potentially at higher risk of death while hospitalized should prompt providers to closely evaluate management strategies.”

That may mean bringing nephrologists in earlier if they are not already involved in patients’ care, making sure to avoid medications that could make kidney function worse as well as other steps that will improve care for these patients, Modi said.

The high health care expenses for hospitalized pediatric patients with end-stage kidney disease, including dialysis, transplantation and associated complications, may be comparable to hospitalized heart failure patients, authors say. 

Kidney disease may be associated with more medical complexities, authors say. The causes of chronic kidney disease in children include genetic disorders, congenital anomalies that may be part of a multi-organ system syndrome and systemic inflammatory disorders. A recent study from the U.K. reported that adult kidney disease patients also have a greater degree of medical complexity than patients seen by any other specialty. 

“Chronic kidney disease can be a devastating illness with many long-term consequences,” Modi said. “Some features of chronic kidney disease that start during childhood will have a significant impact on patients’ lives through adulthood. 

“We need further studies to better understand the health care needs and delivery of care to hospitalized children with chronic kidney disease in order to optimize health outcomes.”

From Michigan Health

The post Children With Kidney Disease Have High Health Burden appeared first on Black Health Matters.

People who fit this description are more likely to die from COVID-19 than any other group in the country.

They are perishing quietly, out of sight, in homes and apartment buildings, senior housing complexes, nursing homes and hospitals, disproportionately poor, frail and ill, after enduring a lifetime of racism and its attendant adverse health effects.

Yet, older Black Americans have received little attention as protesters proclaim that Black Lives Matter and experts churn out studies about the coronavirus.

“People are talking about the race disparity in COVID deaths, they’re talking about the age disparity, but they’re not talking about how race and age disparities interact: They’re not talking about older Black adults,” said Robert Joseph Taylor, director of the Program for Research on Black Americans at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research.

A KHN analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention underscores the extent of their vulnerability. It found that African Americans ages 65 to 74 died of COVID-19 five times as often as whites. In the 75-to-84 group, the death rate for Blacks was 3.5 times greater. Among those 85 and older, Blacks died twice as often. In all three age groups, death rates for Hispanics were higher than for whites but lower than for Blacks.

(The gap between Blacks and whites narrows over time because advanced age, itself, becomes an increasingly important, shared risk. Altogether, 80 percent of COVID-19 deaths are among people 65 and older.)

The data comes from the week that ended February 1 through August 8. Although breakdowns by race and age were not consistently reported, it is the best information available.

Mistrustful of Outsiders

Social and economic disadvantage, reinforced by racism, plays a significant part in unequal outcomes. Throughout their lives, Blacks have poorer access to health care and receive services of lower quality than does the general population. Starting in middle age, the toll becomes evident: more chronic medical conditions, which worsen over time, and earlier deaths.

Several conditions—diabetes, chronic kidney disease, obesity, heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, among others—put older Blacks at heightened risk of becoming seriously ill and dying from COVID-19.

Yet many vulnerable Black seniors are deeply distrustful of government and health care institutions, complicating efforts to mitigate the pandemic’s impact.

The infamous Tuskegee syphilis study—in which African American participants in Alabama were not treated for their disease—remains a shocking, indelible example of racist medical experimentation. Just as important, the lifelong experience of racism in health care settings—symptoms discounted, needed treatments not given—leaves psychic scars.

In Seattle, Catholic Community Services sponsors the African American Elders Program, which serves nearly 400 frail homebound seniors each year.

“A lot of Black elders in this area migrated from the South a long time ago and were victims of a lot of racist practices growing up,” said Margaret Boddie, 77, who directs the program. “With the pandemic, they’re fearful of outsiders coming in and trying to tell them how to think and how to be. They think they’re being targeted. There’s a lot of paranoia.”

“They won’t open the door to people they don’t know, even to talk,” complicating efforts to send in social workers or nurses to provide assistance, Boddie said.

In Los Angeles, Karen Lincoln directs Advocates for African American Elders and is an associate professor of social work at the University of Southern California.

“Health literacy is a big issue in the older African American population because of how people were educated when they were young,” she said. “My maternal grandmother, she had a third-grade education. My grandfather, he made it to the fifth grade. For many people, understanding the information that’s put out, especially when it changes so often and people don’t really understand why, is a challenge.”

What this population needs, Lincoln suggested, is “help from people who they can relate to”—ideally, a cadre of African American community health workers.

With suspicion running high, older Blacks are keeping to themselves and avoiding health care providers.

“Testing? I know only of maybe two people who’ve been tested,” said Mardell Reed, 80, who lives in Pasadena, California, and volunteers with Lincoln’s program. “Taking a vaccine [for the coronavirus]? That is just not going to happen with most of the people I know. They don’t trust it and I don’t trust it.”

Reed has high blood pressure, anemia, arthritis and thyroid and kidney disease, all fairly well controlled. She rarely goes outside because of COVID-19. “I’m just afraid of being around people,” she admitted.

Other factors contribute to the heightened risk for older Blacks during the pandemic. They have fewer financial resources to draw upon and fewer community assets (such as grocery stores, pharmacies, transportation, community organizations that provide aging services) to rely on in times of adversity. And housing circumstances can contribute to the risk of infection.

In Chicago, Gilbert James, 78, lives in a 27-floor senior housing building, with 10 apartments on each floor. But only two of the building’s three elevators are operational at any time. Despite a “two-person-per-elevator policy,” people crowd onto the elevators, making it difficult to maintain social distance.

“The building doesn’t keep us updated on how they’re keeping things clean or whether people have gotten sick or died” of COVID-19, James said. Nationally, there are no efforts to track COVID-19 in low-income senior housing and little guidance about necessary infection control.

Large numbers of older Blacks also live in intergenerational households, where other adults, many of them essential workers, come and go for work, risking exposure to the coronavirus. As children return to school, they, too, are potential vectors of infection.

‘Striving Yet Never Arriving’

In recent years, the American Psychological Association has called attention to the impact of racism-related stress in older African Americans—yet another source of vulnerability.

This toxic stress, revived each time racism becomes manifest, has deleterious consequences to physical and mental health. Even racist acts committed against others can be a significant stressor.

“This older generation went through the civil rights movement. Desegregation. Their kids went through busing. They grew up with a knee on their neck, as it were,” said Keith Whitfield, provost at Wayne State University and an expert on aging in African Americans. “For them, it was an ongoing battle, striving yet never arriving. But there’s also a lot of resilience that we shouldn’t underestimate.”

This year, for some elders, violence against Blacks and COVID-19’s heavy toll on African American communities have been painful triggers. “The level of stress has definitely increased,” Lincoln said.

During ordinary times, families and churches are essential supports, providing practical assistance and emotional nurturing. But during the pandemic, many older Blacks have been isolated.

In her capacity as a volunteer, Reed has been phoning Los Angeles seniors. “For some of them, I’m the first person they’ve talked to in two to three days. They talk about how they don’t have anyone. I never knew there were so many African American elders who never married and don’t have children,” she said.

Meanwhile, social networks that keep elders feeling connected to other people are weakening.

“What is especially difficult for elders is the disruption of extended support networks, such as neighbors or the people they see at church,” said Taylor, of the University of Michigan. “Those are the ‘Hey, how are you doing? How are your kids? Anything you need?’ interactions. That type of caring is very comforting and it’s now missing.”

In Brooklyn, New York, Barbara Apparicio, 77, has been having Bible discussions with a group of church friends on the phone each weekend. Apparicio is a breast cancer survivor who had a stroke in 2012 and walks with a cane. Her son and his family live in an upstairs apartment, but she does not see him much.

“The hardest part for me [during this pandemic] has been not being able to go out to do the things I like to do and see people I normally see,” she said.

In Atlanta, Celestine Bray Bottoms, 83, who lives on her own in an affordable senior housing community, is relying on her faith to pull her through what has been a very difficult time. Bottoms was hospitalized with chest pains this month—a problem that persists. She receives dialysis three times a week and has survived leukemia.

“I don’t like the way the world is going. Right now, it’s awful,” she said. “But every morning when I wake up, the first thing I do is thank the Lord for another day. I have a strong faith and I feel blessed because I’m still alive. And I’m doing everything I can not to get this virus because I want to be here a while longer.”

From Kaiser Health News

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 The study found that emergency room visits nationwide fell 42 in April compared with the same period in 2019. A different poll for the American Heart Association found about 1 in 4 adults experiencing a heart attack or stroke preferred to stay home rather than risk getting infected with coronavirus at the hospital. These concerns are higher in Black and Hispanic populations, with good reason: Black and brown people have borne the brunt of COVID-19.

But more concerning than the lack of emergency care is the drastic drop in routine screenings, especially in regions hardest hit by the virus. Medical research company IQVIA created models that predict delayed diagnoses of an estimated 36,000 breast cancers and 19,000 colorectal cancers due to COVID-19’s interruption of medical care.

But missed cancer diagnoses aren’t the only problem. Other consequences of delayed health care? Folks with chronic conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, kidney disease, respiratory ailments, depression and more will likely experience slow deterioration. Knowing these outcomes, however, hasn’t increased doctor visits. Our research found folks have skipped myriad doctor appointments, sometimes suffering in silence, since the pandemic began. Read about these delayed health care experiences:

“I had a polyp removed from my uterus in February. Since then, I’ve not had a period. Instead, I have horrible horrible pain. It hurts to sit up. And my doctor left his practice so I need a new doctor, but I am dragging my feet getting one because it takes ages, and I’m scared to go into an office.” —Xan Sprouse, Columbus, Ohio 

“I’ve been putting off rescheduling a periodontal procedure originally scheduled for late March. Technically, I did reschedule it for July. But then I read stories of new PPE shortages and so cancelled the appointment. No idea when I might do it.” —David Conger, Sterling, Virginia

“I delayed medical upkeep in large part because of the pandemic. I’m 70 years old, clinically obese, and have sleep apnea as well as glaucoma and migraines. I just plain skipped annual appointments for the sleep and headache clinics. They were willing to renew prescriptions for me, since they were running limited hours.” —Pam Sowers, Olympia, Washington

“I’ve put off a gastrointestinal appointment for Crohn’s. The amount of lab work makes me uncomfortable.” —Alysha Cobb, Tampa, Florida

“I need to go to an ophthalmologist because I think retina thinning has gotten worse. But anxious about that. Also stopped regular acupuncture, which helps me with [fibromyalgia] pain.” —Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“In January, I had stroke-like symptoms, numbness in my left arm. After an overnight hospital stay, doctors determined my issue was a bone spur on my upper spine. Four weeks of physical therapy and some medication cured me. I just postponed my follow-up checkup just in case. My rescheduled appointment is in October and it probably will be virtual.” —Wayne Dawkins, Suffolk, Virginia

The post Delayed Health Care appeared first on Black Health Matters.

It is estimated that more than 30 million people in this country have chronic kidney disease. Of that number, almost 50 percent of patients with severely reduced kidney function don’t know it. Options for patients with kidney function less than 20 percent are either a kidney transplant or dialysis. But the wait can be several years for a deceased donor kidney transplant, with about 100,000 people on the wait list. Many patients do not live long enough to receive a transplant; 13 people on the wait list die every day.

There is another option: Receiving a kidney from a living donor. One of the major advantages of finding a living donor is reducing the wait time for transplant from years to months, with the time needed to schedule surgery being as short as four to six weeks—if not shorter.

That difference could be life and death.

But if you don’t tell friends and family you need a kidney, they will never know. And if they do not know, they can’t help.

The post Use Social Media to Find a Living Donor appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The post Black Health Matters Talks FSGS With NephCure’s Lauren Lee appeared first on Black Health Matters.

• Manage electrolyte (salt) concentrations
• Manage the amount of fluid within the body
• Help manage blood pressure xHelp maintain acid-base balance
• Produce hormones that affect blood and bones

• Immune system conditions such as lupus or chronic viral illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
• Urinary tract infections that have reached the kidneys can lead to scarring as the infection heals. Multiple episodes can lead to kidney damage.
• Inflammation in the tiny filters within the kidneys; this can happen after a strep infection and other conditions of unknown cause.
• A rare kidney disease called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) that disproportionately affects African Americans. It affects the kidney’s filter units which stop filtering the blood properly and protein spills into the urine (called proteinuria). Over time, this may lead to kidney failure.
• Polycystic kidney disease, in which fluid-filled cysts form in the kidneys over time. This is the most common form of inherited kidney disease.
• Congenital defects that affect the kidneys often cause urinary tract obstruction or malformation. One of the most common involves a valve-like mechanism between the bladder and urethra.
• Drugs and toxins, including long-term exposure to some medications and chemicals, such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), like ibuprofen and naproxen, and use of intravenous “street” drugs.

The post The Truth About Chronic Kidney Disease appeared first on Black Health Matters.

While medications and regimens might be necessary to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life, running is free! Moreover, people who run often do so in social communities. There are many clubs and groups you can join to socialize and make new friends while improving your health.

How can running help with these four health conditions? Read on:

1. High blood pressure. Exercise, such as running, can help lower your blood pressure. Regular physical exercise can make your heart stronger, and a stronger heart can pump blood more easily, lowering your blood pressure. Furthermore, regular exercise can prevent your blood pressure from rising as you age and help keep your weight under control–another important way to avoid hypertension. With these benefits in mind, remember that exercise must be a done consistently to positively impact your blood pressure long term.

2. High cholesterol. Exercise can help raise good cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein. Studies have shown that physically active people have higher levels of HDL cholesterol than those who are sedentary. Additionally, when combined with a healthy diet, exercise can help lower your total cholesterol numbers.

3. Type 2 diabetes. Exercise is an important part of the treatment plan for individuals with type 2 diabetes. Staying fit and active throughout life can help people control their diabetes and keep their blood glucose  levels in a healthy range, which is essential to preventing long-term complications, such as kidney disease and nerve pain.

Exercise can even help prevent blood glucose from rising to begin with. Exercise causes the muscles to contract, and it also increases insulin sensitivity–both of which help your cells use glucose for energy, rather than continuing to store it in the blood.

4. Depression symptoms. “Runner’s high” is a term that refers to the mental benefits of running. When you run, the brain releases endorphins, or chemicals that make you happy. This is a much better energy spike than consuming high-sugar products.

Running or brisk walking can help reduce some symptoms of clinical depression, according to studies. This benefit is likely due to the body releasing endorphins along with other factors, such as:

• Occupying your mind elsewhere
• Raising self-confidence
• Getting more social interaction

It’s important to remember that running isn’t a replacement for medical care. But it’s a good way to compliment what you’re already doing to manage ongoing health conditions while actively reducing the risk for others.

Running doesn’t require a lot of material commitment–just a good pair of shoes. Running can be an effective form of medicine and a fun, easy way to improve your health. Some people are a bit intimidated by running, especially in a group setting. Focus on finishing your goal, whether it’s running for half a mile or three miles. Don’t worry about how long it takes you or what people think, just relax and focus on your health.

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Am I at a higher risk for catching COVID-19 if I have kidney disease?
The CDC has identified the following groups more at risk for COVID-19:

• older adults
• any people with the following medical conditions
  • diabetes
  • heart disease
  • HIV 
  • asthma 
  • chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis
• pregnant women

If you are a kidney patient who has had a transplant and are taking immunosuppressant medications, you may also be at a higher risk. Take these steps, recommended by the CDC, to reduce your risk of catching COVID-19. 

What kidney-friendly foods should I stock up on?

• Get tips and shopping list for a 3-day emergency diet.
• Visit Kidney Kitchen for a shopping list of food items to stock in your fridge, freezer, and pantry.

Is food delivery safe?
Cooking at home is your best option, but there are many services that deliver groceries to your home. If you do order out, choose a healthy diet with limited phosphorus, potassium and salt.

What should I do if I feel sick?

If you feel sick, call your health-care team right away.

Are dialysis clinics open and should I go to treatments?

Dialysis clinics are still open. Dialysis clinics are taking precautions with your safety in mind, including social distancing in reception areas. If there are changes in your clinic’s hours or to your dialysis schedule, your team will contact you. If you are not sure about schedules, procedures or just have questions, call your clinic. You should not miss treatment. Your immune system is stronger when your blood is clean.

How can I get emergency dialysis?

Call your dialysis center. They will find a way to fit you into their schedule or refer you to another nearby center.

What can I do if COVID-19 is giving me anxiety and this sudden change in daily routine is making me depressed?

If you are on dialysis and have a social worker, talk to your social worker; they are trained to help you navigate your emotions. If you do not have a social worker, call your insurance provider to see if mental health counseling is covered in your benefits and if telehealth is an option.

You can also reduce anxiety with:

• mindfulness: paying attention to the present, not the past.
• meditation 
• breathing exercises 
• exercising 
• limiting or eliminating caffeine 
• getting adequate sleep 
• journaling

In addition to the kidney-specific advice above, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent recommends that everyone do their part to help us respond to this public health threat.

• Use a cloth face covering to keep people who are infected but do not have symptoms from spreading COVID-19 to others. The recommended cloth face coverings are not surgical masks or N95 respirators. Medical face masks are critical supplies that should be reserved for health-care workers and other first responders.
• Keep 6 feet between you and others.
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds whenever you’ve been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.
• If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

The organizations below are providing updates on COVID-19. Check each organization’s website regularly as new information and resources become available.

• American Kidney Fund
• Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition
• DaVita
• American Association of Kidney Patients

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Kidneys are crucial to help us maintain fluid and electrolyte balance and remove waste from our blood. When your kidneys are not working properly, fluid and waste build up in your body. Over time, the extra fluid and waste can lead to bone, heart and other health problems.

A kidney-friendly meal plan, however, can give you optimal kidney health. So it’s best to eat healthy foods that provide a variety of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Add these to your list:

• Bell peppers. Red peppers are loaded with vitamins C and A, which improve the immune system. Folks with kidney disease may have a compromised immune system, so the more of these vitamins, the better. Peppers are an easy ingredient in a whole host of recipes, including fajitas, stuffed peppers omelets, pastas or sandwiches.
• Berries. All berries, but especially blueberries, are a great source of natural antioxidants. They’re also perfect for an ideal kidney diet because they are low in phosphorus, potassium and sodium, which you should avoid if you have kidney disease.
• Cabbage. Sure, cabbage is delicious and very affordable but more important: It’s packed with nutrients and minerals, including calcium; vitamins B6, C and K; fiber; manganese and folate. It’s also low in phosphorus and potassium.
• Cauliflower. Rich in antioxidants and loaded with vitamins C and K, calcium, iron and magnesium, cauliflower is a great source of fiber. Mashed cauliflower is easy to make and a better choice than mashed potatoes.
• Chicken. If you have kidney issues, you may need to be on a low protein diet, but if that’s not the case for you, chicken is a good source. Skinless chicken is best because it contains less fat, sodium and phosphorus than chicken with the skin.
• Egg whites. Egg yolks contain a lot of phosphorus, which, as we’ve mentioned, should be avoided if you suffer from kidney issues. But egg whites are a healthy, kidney-safe, delicious breakfast option.
• Fatty fish. Choose salmon, albacore tuna, mackerel or herring, which increase the all-important omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats you need. A bonus: Recent research found omega-3s decrease proteinuria, a common complication in kidney disease.
• Garlic. It doesn’t just smell and taste wonderful, but garlic also contains vitamins B6 and C. Use garlic as a flavor booster instead of salt while cooking, and always opt for garlic powder instead of garlic salt.
• Olive oil. Olive oil contains oleic acid, which has anti-inflammatory effects. Choose virgin or extra-virgin for salads, marinades and sautéing because these versions are higher in antioxidants.
• Red grapes. The juicy fruits contains flavonoids, known to help prevent inflammation. A 2017 study showed daily intake of grape powder can help reduce the progression of kidney disease.

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Though the experts say we’re supposed to drink eight glasses of water each day, many of us can’t manage that much liquid. The good news is that you don’t have to lug around that gallon jug because we get roughly 20 percent of our hydration through food, especially fruits and vegetables. 

Drinking water is still important—particularly during the dog days of summer—but you can supplement your water intake with one of these foods, all of which are at least 90 percent water by weight, making them the perfect option to help keep you hydrated. 

• Cucumbers (water content: 96.7 percent) have the highest water content of any solid food. Eat slices dipped in hummus or add them to your salads. Or pump up cucumber’s water quotient by blending it with nonfat yogurt, mint and ice cubes to make chilled cucumber soup. 
• Iceberg lettuce (water content: 95.6 percent) is the red-headed stepchild of the lettuce family when it comes to nutrition. Nutritionists suggest choosing darker greens like romaine lettuce or spinach, which have higher amounts of fiber, folate and vitamin K. But when it comes to water content, iceberg wins the lettuce wars hands down. Use iceberg leaves instead of hamburger buns and tortillas to wrap your burgers and tacos. 
• Not only is celery high in water (water content: 95.4 percent), but it’s also a very low-calorie food, coming in a six calories per stalk. This pale veggie is also high in fiber, folate, and vitamins A, C and K. You can also eat celery to quell acid reflux because it neutralizes stomach acid. 
• Spicy-sweet radishes (water content: 95.3 percent) add crunch (and color) to your summer salads. Better yet, these crunchy root veggies are loaded with antioxidants such as catechin (they same one found in green tea). Give coleslaw a healthy boost with slices of radish.
• Tomatoes (water content: 94.5 percent) are perfect in salads, on sandwiches and as a sauce. And the cherry and grape varieties make excellent water-filled snacks.
• All bell peppers have a high water content, but green peppers (water content: 93.9 percent) have the highest. And they are just as antioxidant laden as slightly sweeter red, orange and yellow bells. Had your fill of celery and carrots on veggie trays? Slice up a green pepper for an after-dinner snack.
• Cauliflower (water content: 92.1 percent) may be pale, but it’s packed with vitamins and phytonutrients that lower cholesterol levels and fight cancer. Add florets of this low-fat, sodium-free veggie to your summer salads.
• Watermelon (water content: 91.5 percent) is loaded with water, as well as lycopene, a cancer-fighting antioxidant found in red fruits and vegetables. In fact, watermelon has more lycopene than raw tomatoes—about 12 milligrams per wedge. Serve slices as dessert at summer barbecues or drop cubes into a pitcher of cold water. Yum.
• Spinach (water content: 91.4 percent) is rich in fiber, folate, lutein and potassium. And one cup of raw leaves contains 15 percent of your daily intake of vitamin E, which helps fight off free radicals. 
• Garnish your salad with the tropical star fruit (water content: 91.4 percent). It comes in sweet and tart varieties and is loaded with antioxidants, especially epicatechin—a heart-healthy compound found in dark chocolate, green tea and red wine. If you have kidney problems (and we’re more likely to suffer from kidney disease than other races), however, you should avoid star fruit because of its high levels of oxalic acid. 
• Berries are good for hydration, but strawberries (water content: 91 percent) beat out blackberries (88.2 percent water) and raspberries and blueberries (both about 85 percent water). Help ward off heart disease by blending them in smoothies or capping them and making a snack out of the raw berry.
• Broccoli (water content: 90.7 percent) adds so much more than crunch to a salad. Loaded with fiber, potassium, and vitamins A and C, this cruciferous vegetable contains sulforaphane, a potent compound that flushes cancer-causing chemicals out of your body. 
• Grapefruit (water content: 90.5 percent) can help lower cholesterol and shrink your waistline. Researchers say compounds in this citrus fruit help stabilize blood sugar, reducing cravings. If you take medication for high blood pressure, talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit; it interacts badly with some medicines.
• Believer it or not, baby carrots (water content: 90.4 percent) have a higher water content than full-size carrots (88.3 percent water). Plus, these bite-sized babies are ready-made snacks! 
• Just a six-ounce serving of cantaloupe (water content: 90.2 percent) provides 100 percent of your recommended daily intake of vitamins A and C—for only 50 calories. And this is one versatile melon. Eat it as a dessert, blend it with yogurt and freeze it for a refreshing sherbet or puree it with orange juice and mint to make a summer soup. 

The post Eat Your Hydration appeared first on Black Health Matters.

We all need sodium to survive. It is an essential nutrient that helps control water balance in our bodies and supports healthy muscle and nerve function. It also assists with muscle contraction and regulates our cells’ water levels to prevent dehydration.Too much salt, however, causes fluid retention, which increases blood pressure, putting a strain on our heart and blood vessels.

We get it: This sounds like common-sense stuff and you’ve heard it all before. But before your eyes glaze over, it’s important to note that the discussion around salt has been contradictory and confusing for a very long time.   

So let’s get what you know out of the way: Yes, Americans eat a lot of salt. About 90 percent of us regularly consume amounts considerably higher than the Department of Health and Human Services’ target intake of 2,300 milligrams a day and significantly more than the American Heart Association’s preferred recommendation of 1,500 milligrams. In fact, the average healthy American eats 3,400 milligrams of the white stuff each day. 

As long as people with high blood pressure reduce their sodium intake (recent research shows this is happening), everyone should be happy, right? Wrong. Instead of a consensus among public health experts about the nation’s sodium consumption habits, researchers generally have fallen into two groups: team “if you’re healthy, don’t worry about sodium” versus the “everyone should reduce their salt intake” crew. 

There is solid evidence that people who are sensitive to sodium—meaning they retain sodium more easily, leading to fluid retention and increased blood pressure—should slash their intake in order to ward off serious health complications. That’s those who already have high blood pressure and those at high risk of developing it, which includes people older than age 51, the age when salt sensitivity begins to increase for everybody; those with diabetes or chronic kidney disease; and African Americans, who have the highest rates of high blood pressure in the world.

But that doesn’t mean the healthy half of the population should shake salt with abandon, says Elliott Antman, a cardiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and past-president of the AHA, who stands firmly entrenched in the less salt for everyone group. Too much sodium negatively affects blood pressure in overweight people—roughly 70 percent of the adult population and one-third of American children. Too much sodium strains the kidneys; over a long period of time, this can lead to high blood pressure. High-sodium diets also have been linked to heart disease, and they may leach calcium from your bones, leading to osteoporosis.

Also, he says, lowering dietary sodium can diminish significantly the rise in blood pressure that tends to happen to all of us as we age. This part is crucial: It is expected that 90 percent of us will develop high blood pressure at some point in our lifetime, he says, even those of us who are currently healthy and in our 30s and 40s.

“Everyone should take steps to limit salt in their diet, for one simple reason: to lower their risk of death,” Antman says.

This concern is, in large part, because Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studies show our salt habit has been getting worse, not better, over the past two decades.

A much-debated 2016 meta-analysis published in The Lancet concluded that adults with normal blood pressure don’t need to lower their salt intake below 2,300 milligrams a day, and, in fact, found that healthy people who consumed less than 3 grams of sodium per day had a 26 percent increased risk for heart disease and stroke.

But the research in that study, which seems to reach similar conclusions as earlier studies from the Institute of Medicine and the New England Journal of Medicine, has been debunked by the CDC, the AHA, the Centers for Science in the Public Interest, the World Health Organization and others for relying on flawed data (most of the small number of participants were from clinical trials of already sick people taking several medications and with a high risk of dying).

If the big guns can’t agree, is it any wonder the average American is twisted in knots trying to figure this stuff out? Samantha Heller, a nutritionist at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, isn’t surprised by our confusion. This may make it easier. In spite of the dueling data, there’s no proof that otherwise healthy people with normal blood pressure need to reduce their salt to rock-bottom (read: below 2,300 milligrams a day) levels.

Besides, Hellers says, it’s highly unlikely that adults in this country are getting too little sodium. “Keep in mind that just one teaspoon of table salt has about 2,300 milligrams of sodium,” she says. 

“Most of us probably get that if we eat a piece of cheese, a bowl of cereal or a piece of bread,” says Marisa Moore, an Atlanta-based dietitian. “So I’m not concerned with people not getting enough sodium.”

Why does it seem that salt makes some folks’ blood pressure soar, while others can tolerate loads of it with no negative effect? Right now, there’s no simple way to test for salt sensitivity, which affects an estimated 10 percent of the population. That’s why public health officials try to limit the confusion by recommending that everyone cut back on salt. 

The bigger concern for nutrition experts is the source of our sodium. We get the bulk of it, 77 percent, from packaged foods and restaurant meals. “Sodium is in virtually everything when you consider the American consumer’s demand for processed foods in the interest of convenience,” says Rovenia “Dr. Ro” Brock, a nutritionist and author of Lose Your Final 15. “In addition, manufacturers who wish to sell you processed and overly processed foods add sodium to preserve and extend the shelf life of their products.”

The best bet to lower your sodium intake is to make more meals at home. If this conjures up images of folks hunched over reading labels, trying to calculate milligrams, don’t worry. Much of that heavy lifting can be alleviated with these tips:

Eat more fruits and vegetables. These can be fresh or frozen, Moore says, just don’t buy the ones with sauce. This accomplishes two things. First, we get potassium from fruits and vegetables (think: avocados, bananas, kiwi, potatoes), which helps lower total blood pressure. If you’re getting sodium from other sources, the potassium in those five-to-seven daily servings helps balance it. Second, when 4 o’clock snack time rolls around, reach for baby carrots, grape tomatoes, cherries and the like instead of chips. “Fruits and vegetables can absolutely be a snack,” Moore says. “I want them to be the first option instead of the vending machine.”

Roast vegetables. An underutilized technique when it comes to vegetables, roasting caramelizes them, “which brings a lot of flavor out without having to add a lot of salt,” Moore says.

Use herbs. Look no further than your garden or windowsill for herbs such as parsley, rosemary and thyme to boost flavor in your dishes. But be sure to go with fresh herbs. “People reach for the dusty ones in the cabinet,” Moore says, “and the flavor’s all gone.”

Add citrus. Choose grapefruit, lime or orange to marinate meats and fish. Use them in vinaigrettes and sprinkle that on salads instead of sodium-heavy dressings.

Shake salt. Yes, you read that right. Though many nutritionists advise against lifting your salt shaker, Moore believes you don’t have to avoid it. But follow these rules: Do use sparingly, add it at the end and add it yourself. “I would much rather you have roasted vegetables, a salad or a grain that’s seasoned well so you’ll actually eat healthy foods,” Moore says, “than to avoid those healthy foods because you can’t season them well.”

Do your homework. “Evaluate your own search for information,” Dr. Ro says. “Find an expert or arsenal you can trust to be informed and to share what they know, including guide you to relevant and trustworthy resources.”

The post Sodium: How Low Should You Go? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

What are some health risks of being overweight or obese?

• Type 2 diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. About 8 out of 10 people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or have obesity. Over time, high blood glucose leads to problems such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye problems, nerve damage and other health problems. If you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, losing 5 to 7 percent of your body weight and getting regular physical activity may prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
• High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a condition in which blood flows through your blood vessels with a force greater than normal. High blood pressure can strain your heart, damage blood vessels, and raise your risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and death.
• Heart disease is a term used to describe several problems that may affect your heart. If you have heart disease, you may have a heart attack, heart failure, sudden cardiac death, angina or an abnormal heart rhythm. High blood pressure, abnormal levels of blood fats, and high blood glucose levels may raise your risk for heart disease. Losing 5 to 10 percent of your weight may lower your risk factors for developing heart disease. If you weigh 200 pounds, this means losing as little as 10 pounds. Weight loss may improve blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood flow.
• Stroke is a condition in which the blood supply to your brain is suddenly cut off, caused by a blockage or the bursting of a blood vessel in your brain or neck. A stroke can damage brain tissue and make you unable to speak or move parts of your body. High blood pressure is the leading cause of strokes.
• Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which you do not breathe regularly while sleeping. You may stop breathing completely for short periods of time. Untreated sleep apnea may raise your risk of other health problems, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
• Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that put you at risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. These conditions include:
  • high blood pressure
  • high blood glucose levels
  • high triglyceride levels in your blood
  • low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol in your blood
  • too much fat around your waist
• Fatty liver diseases are conditions in which fat builds up in your liver. Fatty liver diseases may lead to severe liver damage, cirrhosis, or even liver failure.
• Osteoarthritis is a common, long-lasting health problem that causes pain, swelling and reduced motion in your joints. Being overweight or obese can raise your risk of getting osteoarthritis by putting extra pressure on your joints and cartilage.
• Cancer is a collection of related diseases. In all types of cancer, some of the body’s cells begin to divide without stopping and spread into surrounding tissues. Overweight and obesity may raise your risk of developing certain types of cancer.
• Kidney disease means your kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood like they should. Obesity raises the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, the most common causes of kidney disease. Even if you don’t have diabetes or high blood pressure, obesity itself may promote kidney disease and speed its progress.
• Pregnancy problems canbe exacerbated by weighing too much. Pregnant women who are overweight or obese may have a greater chance of:
  • developing gestational diabetes
  • having pre-eclampsia, otherwise known as high blood pressure during pregnancy, which can cause severe health problems for mother and baby if left untreated
  • needing a C-section and, as a result, taking longer to recover after giving birth.
• Mental health problems, such as depression, can be caused by overweight and obesity. People who deal with overweight and obesity may also be the subject of weight bias and stigma from others, including health-care providers. This can lead to feelings of rejection, shame, or guilt—further worsening mental health problems.

According to a new study from the National Center for Health Statistics, more than 40 percent of Americans are obese. This is an increase from 30 percent in 1999. The new report, which collected information from a nationally representative survey of adults older than age 20, found:

• The obesity rate in 2017-2018 was 42.4 percent, with no big differences between men or women or by age.
• Severe obesity was 9.2 percent in 2017-2018, with more women than men falling into this category.
• The age group most affected by severe obesity was adults aged 40-59.
• Obesity and severe obesity rates were highest in black adults.

The post Health Risks of Weighing Too Much appeared first on Black Health Matters.

In fact, says Michigan Medicine Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Faith Blair, “The food you consume can influence many aspects of heart health, including blood pressure, inflammation and cholesterol levels, which are all risk factors for heart disease.”

Blair, who counsels cardiovascular patients about heart healthy nutrition, shares five eating tips to minimize your risk of heart disease related to the foods you consume.

1. Pay attention to nutrition labels. 

As you may have noticed, the nutrition label on food packages looks a little different now. Many of the FDA changes to the nutrition label, which went into law earlier this year, were made to help reduce chronic diseases such as obesity and heart disease.

The goal is to help consumers become more aware of what they’re eating and how it impacts their health. Have you ever eaten more than one serving size out of a snack container? Now, companies are required to disclose both the number of calories per serving as well as the amount of servings per package.

Calories from fat are no longer listed, because the type of fat you consume is more important than the total amount of fat, Blair says. The new label lists the fats that should be limited because of their ties to cardiovascular disease, including saturated fat and cholesterol.

There are also four vitamins and minerals listed on the food label as “nutrients of concern.” These have been identified as nutrients many Americans don’t consume enough of, like vitamin D and potassium.

2. Recognize healthy fats.

 There are two natural types of fat, saturated and unsaturated, as well as a synthetically created fat known as trans fat.

All fat molecules have long tails that may be saturated (completely filled with hydrogen atoms) or unsaturated (not completely filled with hydrogen atoms). When the fatty acid tail is filled with hydrogen, or saturated, the tail is stiff and rigid. Rigid tails can block off arteries and lead to heart disease, Blair explains. Saturated fats are solid and are found in rich foods like butter, milk and marbled meats.

Comparatively, unsaturated fatty acid tails are not rigid and can move or flow. Unsaturated fats are termed healthy fats because they provide antioxidant effects in the body while remaining fluid. Unsaturated fats are a liquid at room temperature and are found in plant-based oils, avocados, nuts and fish.

Omega 3 fatty acids, found in many types of fish—including salmon, herring and sardines—help fight inflammation and protect the heart.

Trans fats were synthetically created and lead to increased risk of heart disease. These have now been required by law to be removed from the American food supply.

Blair tells her patients the goal for a healthy heart is to minimize saturated fats and trans fats and increase their daily intake of unsaturated fats.

3. Find flavorful alternatives to salt.

 Many patients with cardiovascular disease are encouraged to ditch the salt shaker. Too much salt can elevate blood pressure, which increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

But heart patients aren’t the only ones who should be aware of how much sodium they’re eating on a daily basis. The average American consumes approximately 3,400 milligrams of sodium each day, far beyond the recommended 2,300 milligrams (approximately 1 teaspoon). In addition to increasing blood pressure, a salty diet can put you at risk for an enlarged heart muscle, heart failure, kidney disease and osteoporosis.

Contrary to popular belief, the majority of sodium we consume is already in our foods, particularly processed foods. Sodium is prevalent in the American diet because it’s used to preserve many of the foods we consume, so reading the nutrition label is an important way to know how much salt you’re consuming.

Because most canned foods are high in sodium, Blair recommends sticking to frozen or fresh vegetables instead. Be sure to avoid frozen vegetables with added sauces, though. Purchasing fresh meats and freezing them yourself can reduce sodium intake by at least 25%. Salt is also found in many seasoning blends and boxed items.

Instead, make your own seasoning blends without the salt. Blair recommends trying garlic and onion powder, coriander, cumin or paprika to flavor your food.

And although the salt we sprinkle on our food at the dinner table isn’t the main culprit of our high sodium intake, we should still avoid adding it to our food.

4. Avoid unhealthy processed food.

 Processed food is technically any food that’s altered from its original state, but not all processed foods are bad for you, Blair explains. For example, a cut up cantaloupe can be viewed as a processed food because it has been changed from its original state, but it’s still a healthy choice, she says.

However, what most of us think of as processed food is unhealthy because it’s chemically processed and made from refined ingredients and artificial substances, Blair says. Processed foods are typically very high in sodium, contain artificial ingredients, can be high in refined carbohydrates and tend to be lower in nutrients and fiber. While processed foods are convenient, they can also lead to health issues.

For optimal heart health, Blair’s patients focus on combining single ingredient foods that contain no added chemicals. They choose fresh foods instead of processed whenever possible. Some of the healthiest choices include leafy green vegetables, whole grains, berries, walnuts and almonds, fatty fish and dried beans, she says. Garlic, olive oil, edamame and avocado are also among some of the healthiest foods to add to your daily diet.

5. Embrace a healthy plant-based diet. 

A healthy plant-based diet is focused on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, beans and healthy oils. It limits animal proteins such as meat, dairy and eggs, as well as highly refined foods such as bleached flour and refined sugar.

But plant based diets aren’t always healthy if you’re filling up on foods like refined grains, potatoes and sugar-sweetened beverages. Researchers have shown limited improvement on cardiovascular disease when individuals become vegetarian yet consume unhealthy plant based foods, Blair explains.

Following a healthy plant based diet can improve your heart health, help you feel more energized, reduce your risk of developing other health conditions such as diabetes and help you achieve a healthy weight.

Researchers have also found that healthy plant based diets improve cardiovascular conditions such as angina (chest pain) and atherosclerosis, which occurs when arteries become narrowed or blocked due to a buildup of a cholesterol-containing substance called plaque. This is attributed to the rich fiber, vitamins and minerals a plant based diet provides.

From Michigan Health

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As the oldest and largest, independent kidney patient organization in the U.S., AAKP is dedicated to improving the lives and long-term outcome of kidney patients through education, advocacy, patient engagement and the fostering of patient communities. AAKP fights for early detection; increased kidney transplantation and pre-emptive transplantation; full patient choice of either in-center or home dialysis; protection of the patient/physician relationship; promotion of research and innovation; the elimination of barriers for patient access to available treatment options.

Twitter: @kidneypatients
Instagram: @kidneypatients
Facebook: American Association of Kidney Patients

AAKP
14440 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33613
(813) 636-8100
(800) 749-AAKP
Fax: (813) 636-8122
info@aakp.org

The American Kidney Fund

The American Kidney Fund fights kidney disease on all fronts as the nation’s leading kidney nonprofit. AKF works on behalf of the 37 million Americans living with kidney disease, and the millions more at risk, with an unmatched scope of programs that support people wherever they are in their fight against kidney disease—from prevention through post-transplant living.

The American Kidney Fund’s vision is a world without kidney disease. Until that day comes, we believe that every kidney patient should have access to health care, and every person at risk for kidney disease should be empowered to prevent it. We carry out our mission–fighting kidney disease and helping people live healthier lives.

Twitter: @kidneyfund
Instagram: @americankidneyfund
Facebook: American Kidney Fund

American Kidney Fund
11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300
Rockville, MD 20852
(866) 300-2900
helpline@kidneyfund.org

The National Kidney Foundation

Fueled by passion and urgency, National Kidney Foundation is a lifeline for all people affected by kidney disease. As pioneers of scientific research and innovation, NKF focuses on the whole patient through the lens of kidney health. Relentless in our work, we enhance lives through action, education and accelerating change.

The National Kidney Foundation is the leading organization in the U.S. dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease for hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals, millions of patients and their families, and tens of millions of Americans at risk.

Twitter: @nkf
Instagram: @nationalkidneyfoundation
Facebook: National Kidney Foundation

National Kidney Foundation
30 East 33rd Street
New York, NY 10016
(800) 622-9010
Fax: (212) 689-9261
info@kidney.org

NKF Cares Patient Information Help Line
(855) NKF-CARES
(855) 653-2273
nkfcares@kidney.org

NKF Membership
(888) 564-6653
membership@kidney.org

NephCure Kidney International

NephCure Kidney International’s mission is to accelerate research for effective treatments for rare forms of nephrotic/nephritic syndrome, and to provide education and support that will improve the lives of those affected by these protein-spilling kidney diseases.

Twitter: @nephcure
Instagram: @nephcure
Facebook: NephCure Kidney International

NephCure Kidney International
150 S. Warner Road
Suite 402
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(866) NEPHCURE  (637-4287)
info@nephcure.org

The post Kidney Organizations appeared first on Black Health Matters.

A Saturday night at the movies can clean out your wallet—and pack on the pounds. Movie theaters now are required to post calorie counts on their menus. The FDA’s rule applies to food establishments with 20 or more locations, including movie theaters, fast-food chains, amusement parks and bowling alleys. While this may take the guesswork out of how many calories you’re consuming while you watch the latest thriller, studies show that even armed with this information, many adults still don’t change their caloric intake.

So we’re providing a few facts you might not know about movie snacks:

• The average small movie popcorn with butter has about 600 calories, more than a quarter-pound cheeseburger, which has 550 calories. You could have three slices of thin-crust cheese pizza or three milk chocolate candy bars for about the same number of calories. And here’s more food for thought: A slice of cheesecake has about 410 calories.
• You can have a meal of two large pieces of fried chicken (800 calories), a cup of mashed potatoes (230) and a 16-ounce soda (200) or the average large movie popcorn with butter, which is about 1,270 calories. Here’s another comparison: Two cups of spaghetti with meat sauce and a slice of garlic bread total roughly 800 calories, while a small thick-crust pepperoni pizza with a 10-ounce can of soda has about 940 calories.
• Grab a large combo—a 48-ounce soda and a large popcorn with butter—and you’ll consumer about 1,700 calories, accounting for 85 percent of the daily allowance, based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
• An average small movie soda is about 23 ounces and has about 14 teaspoons of sugar and a little more than 200 calories. An average large movie soda is 47 ounces has almost 30 teaspoons of sugar and about 450 calories. But these numbers can vary wildly, depending on the chain. One theater chain’s medium soda can be 32 ounces, while another’s is 44 ounces. A small can vary even more: One chain’s small soda might be 16 ounces, while another’s is double that. The same holds true for popcorn, where the size of a medium tub of popcorn can vary by as many as 10 cups. One chain’s version of a medium popcorn might contain 10 cups, while another’s might have up to 20.
• An average small popcorn contains about 450 milligrams of sodium, about 20 percent of the recommended daily amount for adults and 30 percent of the recommended amount for children and adults who are older than age 51 or African American, or who have hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease.
• Choose your chocolate carefully. A 3.5-ounce bag of chocolate-covered raisins has 420 calories, a 4.8-ounce bag of chocolate-covered mints has 570 calories and a 4-ounce bag of chocolate-covered peanut butter pieces has 580 calories. If you simply must have chocolate, your best bet may be the 3-ounce bag of chocolate-covered caramels, which comes in at 370 calories.
• If you split a small unbuttered popcorn with a friend, you’ll each get about the same number of calories as you would from an 8-ounce container of flavored whole-milk yogurt, about 230. For comparison purposes, a hard-boiled egg has about 80 calories, half a cup of cottage cheese contains 110 calories and 18 cashews have 165 calories.
• To make date night at the movies healthier, eat dinner before the movie; this can help curb hunger. If watching a movie isn’t the same without the popcorn, split a bag with a friend and ask that it be plain, meaning unbuttered and unsalted. Some theaters offer more healthy snack options, including bottled water and trail mix, so check your options before ordering.

The post Pump the Brakes on Movie Snacks appeared first on Black Health Matters.

“The barber-client relationship is a very special one,” Herman Muhammad, owner of Supreme Style Barbershop in Denver, said. “The guys sitting in your chair usually have done so for years. There is a sense of trust there.”

For decades, health professionals have leveraged this relationship to bring care to a hard-to-reach demographic: black men. With barbers as advocates, health workers visit shops to educate and perform screenings, usually for high blood pressure. Women’s hair salons have also been included in intervention programs.

Intervention is critical because blacks, especially black men, are less likely to get regular health checkups than whites. And high blood pressure disproportionately affects black people, who are also more likely to develop complications of stroke and heart conditions than other races and ethnicities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among men, 43 percent of blacks have high blood pressure, compared to 34 percent of whites and 28 percent of Hispanics.

Barbershop interventions have plenty of advocates, but evidence-based studies have lagged. That changed last year when the New England Journal of Medicine published a study showing that barbershop interventions improved the health of participants. Over 300 customers at 52 Los Angeles black barbershops took part in a randomized study. About one-third of them with high blood pressure were assigned to an intervention group that prescribed a drug therapy by a pharmacist at a shop. Over 60 percent of participants lowered their blood pressure to healthy levels and sustained them for a year.

Then in August, HIV education in barbershops got a boost. APHA’s American Journal of Public Health shared results of an HIV program at dozens of black barbershops in Brooklyn, New York.

The program improved responsible sexual behavior among low-income black men, a demographic at heightened risk for HIV. Sixty-four percent of over 350 men in the intervention group reported no sex without a condom.

“This represents a new way to think about certain diseases and conditions, which, perhaps because of stigma and fears, have not been addressed in this way before,” Tracey Wilson, a professor at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center School of Public Health and lead author of the Brooklyn study, said. “It shows it can be done effectively.”

A problem, though, is that efficacy trials can be expensive—federal grants for the Los Angeles barbershop trial hit $8.5 million. But that should not stop health groups from partnering with barbershops, especially now that trials are showing health and behavioral improvements, Terri Richardson, M.D., said. A basic barbershop program is simple and low cost.

“If you have a dime and the time, you can make this happen,” said Richardson, a leader of the Colorado Black Health Collaborative, which Muhammad’s barbershop is part of.

Since 2012, the nonprofit collaborative has grown to 14 barbershops in the Denver area, said Richardson, an internal medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente in Denver, and has screened more than 8,600 blacks for high blood pressure.

Barbers encourage customers to attend a four-hour monthly screening held at the shops. Some clients tested have had dangerously high blood pressure and were immediately sent to a hospital.

“We are not trying to be their doctors, their providers, but we are trying to empower them to ask their doctor about what their health goals should be,” Richardson said.

Students at local medical universities can conduct blood pressure screenings at barbershops, or volunteers can be trained how to do it, Richardson said. A table, two chairs, a blood pressure monitor and a screener are all that is required.

Though distrust about health screenings and studies remain in black communities, Muhammad’s customers trust him and his recommendations. He estimates that 85 percent of his customers get screened.

“It’s about education that is not preachy, just practical,” Muhammad said. “I tell them high blood pressure is a silent killer among black men. Get tested.”

Another shop within the Denver collaboration is the Winning Coiffures Salon, which like black barbershops has an open, friendly atmosphere. Shop owner Rosalyn Redwine sat for a screening in 2013 and discovered she had high blood pressure that was a symptom of a rare kidney disease, for which she got treatment.

“Had they not been coming on a regular basis, I would not have caught it, because I go for my checkup once a year,” Redwine said.

As intervention success stories pile up, startup programs are launching. One is the Shop Docs, begun two years ago by medical students at the University of Miami’s School of Medicine. Shop Docs has partnered with several barbershops to conduct blood pressure screenings, and plans to begin education on safe sex and HIV prevention in coming months. Glucose testing for diabetes is also in the works.

Important for success is a consistent presence at the shops, which helps overcome suspicion of the health care system, said Annette Grotheer, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Miami and founder of Shop Docs.

“One of my main goals is encouraging that positive relationship, showing that we really do care about their health and we aren’t trying to take advantage of them, which is a historically embedded perception in the minority community,” Grotheer said.

Barbershops are also promoting mental wellness. Black Americans are more likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder than other races and ethnicities, according to CDC. Yet, because of social determinants, they are also less likely to receive treatment for PTSD and other mental health conditions.

Lorenzo Lewis wanted to do something for the black community to improve mental wellness. In 2016, he founded the Confess Project in Little Rock, Arkansas, which trains barbers to advocate to men of color about mental health. Grants have enabled the project to enlist 15 barbershops in seven Southern states.

Barbers are trained to spot customers who are struggling and invite them to attend a mental wellness presentation at the shop.

Besides staying in contact with Confess Project leaders, the some 50 barbers involved have access to a private social media discussion group, which has helped bond them to the larger cause, Lewis said. He also emphasized the importance of building long-term relationships to build trust.

Lewis said the project’s quick success could not have happened without partnering with black barbershops.

“They are one of the most trusted spaces beyond your home,” Lewis said.

From The Nation’s Health

The post Barbershop Interventions Improve Health Outcomes appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Among people diagnosed with kidney disease and high blood pressure, African American men are least likely to have their blood pressure under control, putting them at risk of life-threatening complications, according to a study published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, the official publication of the National Kidney Foundation.

The study included more than 10,000 people diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure, which can worsen CKD. Some research suggests that controlling high blood pressure may be the most important step in slowing the progression of CKD.

“African Americans with CKD progress more quickly to kidney failure, at which point they must receive a kidney transplant or regular dialysis to survive,” says lead author O. Kenrik Duru, M.D., of the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles. “These findings suggest that their higher risk of kidney failure may stem, at least in part, from higher rates of uncontrolled high blood pressure.”

Furthermore, this finding suggests a way of protecting this vulnerable group from complications. “If African American men are more likely to develop kidney failure because they are more likely to have uncontrolled high blood pressure, treating their high blood pressure more aggressively may also protect their kidneys,” adds Allan J. Collins, M.D., study co-author and past president, National Kidney Foundation.

Research has shown that African Americans with CKD progress five times more quickly to end-stage renal disease, or kidney failure, as Caucasians. The investigators in the current report found that among people in early stages of CKD who also had high blood pressure, African American men were least likely to have their blood pressure under control. Among people in later stages of CKD, both men and women of African descent were less likely than Caucasian men and women to have their high blood pressure under control.

“These findings propose new opportunities to eliminate health disparities in people most vulnerable to CKD,” Collins says. “Treating high blood pressure aggressively in people with CKD could protect thousands—if not millions—of people from the life-threatening complication of kidney failure.”

Produced by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Nearly half of African Americans have at least one risk factor for kidney disease, but less than 3 percent say they believe kidney disease is a “top health concern,” according to research released in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, the publication of the National Kidney Foundation.

According to the NKF, everyone who carries a risk factor for kidney disease—regardless of ethnicity—must be screened for the disease, so we can catch it at its earliest stages, when treatment is most effective.

Over time, chronic kidney disease can progress to the point where patients need a transplant or dialysis to survive. Every year, 30,000 African Americans advance to that stage, called end-stage renal disease or kidney failure. They are more than three times as likely to develop ESRD as Caucasians, and are more likely to carry the primary risk factors for CKD: diabetes, high blood pressure and a family history of kidney failure.

To determine African-Americans’ awareness of and attitudes toward CKD, researchers surveyed African Americans in cities across the country, asking them open-ended questions such as: “In your opinion, what are the three most serious health problems facing African Americans today?”

The researchers conducted more than 2,000 phone interviews, and found that 43.7 percent of people had at least one risk factor for CKD. Most people listed high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease as the top three health problems in the African American community; only 2.8 percent listed kidney disease.

Less than half of respondents knew what CKD was (10 percent had never heard of it), and fewer than 14 percent could identify its most important risk factors. Fewer than 10 percent of people had spoken to their doctors about CKD in the last year, and only a small number of people were taking action to learn about or prevent CKD.

Participants who had typical CKD risk factors (diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history), a bachelor’s degree or higher, or had spoken to a health professional or their families were more likely to know they were at increased risk.

Produced by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Dr. Pollak worked with his team and many collaborators to get answers. They spent years researching, studying, and learning with the help of the latest genetic technology tools. Their goal was to understand more about the two common genetic variants in the apolipoprotein L1 gene. But what exactly is APOL1?

Every human being inherits two copies of the APOL1 gene, one from mom and one from dad. But this recent research has identified a groundbreaking insight: Those who inherit two common variants in the APOL1 gene have a tenfold increased risk for developing kidney diseases like focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. These variants are only present in African Americans and others with recent African ancestry.

African Americans are three times more likely to get kidney disease than those of European descent. The APOL1 genotype is common in Africa because it provides protection against parasites, including a disease called African Sleeping Sickness. Transmitted by a fly, this disease is common in eastern Africa and can cause fever, anemia, and even death.

While the gene mutations can be beneficial to some people who still live in Africa, for African Americans, they can provide more risk than protection.

“Having these genetic variants doesn’t cause everyone with this genetic profile to develop kidney disease, but it increases their risk by a lot,” Dr. Pollak explained. “You have to inherit one of these gene variants from both parents, but a lot of times people don’t know the details of their ancestry. However, many people who have this high-risk APOL1 genotype don’t show any signs or symptoms. It’s possible that many of those with the variation won’t ever develop any form of kidney disease.”

For more information about FSGS and genetics, go to the NephCure website.

The post Is FSGS Caused by a Genetic Variant? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

• Have you recently been diagnosed with FSGS? Click here to learn more about an FSGS clinical trial for which you may be a candidate.
• Do you have IgA Nephropathy and are interested in participating in a clinical trial? To see if you qualify, click here.
• The REACT Study is recruiting adults with type 2 diabetes and diabetic kidney disease. Click here to see if you qualify.
• Are you planning on getting a transplant plant from a living donor? Learn more about a clinical trial that you might be eligible to participate in.
• For people with Diabetic Kidney Disease, click here to see if you are eligible to participate in these clinical trials.

For more information about a clinical trial for a rare kidney disease, called FSGS, that affects African Americans, visit www.fsgsduplex.com.

The post How Can I Find a Clinical Trial? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Black Health Matters and Communities of Harlem Health Revival have formed an important alliance to discuss the option of research studies for people diagnosed with lupus SLE (systemicLupuserythematosus).  Lupus SLE discriminates against African American women affecting 1 in every 537. This disease puts them at risk for life threatening complications such as neurologic or kidney disease and end-stage renal disease.  Sadly, many of these women are less likely to have the support needed to battle this autoimmune disease either physically oremotionally.

The Communities of Harlem Health Revival (CHHR) and Black Health Matters’ (BHM) Lupus and Research Study Awareness Dinner Program was convened on August 23rd from 6:00 -9:00 pm at Londel’s restaurant in Harlem, NY.  Black Health Matters received the support of leading churches under the CHHR umbrella for this initiative.  Communities of Harlem Health Revival was founded in 2006 to motivate Harlem residents to adopt a healthy lifestyle by providing tools and information that empower community residents to advocate for themselves  and learn more ways to take better care of their health.  The goal is to bring the holistic message of body, mind, and spirit intopractice.

Led entirely by volunteers, the health ministries of many prominent churches in Harlem were open to learning about lupus and the options that participation in a research study offers.  Together with CHHR, Black Health Matters was able to gain traction about its mission of empowering women with lupus.

The response to the call-to-action was overwhelming! The Lupus and Research Dinner Awareness Program was originally planned for 30 attendees.  The final attendance was closer to 60 – 98% of whom were female!

A Full House
Attendees hailed from churches across Harlem.   This included the executive Health Ministry leadership from Riverside Church, Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church, Canaan Baptist Church, Convent Baptist Church, Abyssinian Church, and St. Charles Church to name a few. Additionally, nurses from the New YorkBlack Nurses Association participated as well as Dr. Shelton Fields, the President of the New York Chapter of the National Black Nurses Association.  Other highlighted attendees included: the Rev. Debra Northern, Parish Minister Riverside Church and the Rev. Dr. Lisa D. Rhodes, Union Theological Seminary. Dr. Rhodes is the Executive Director of the RISE Together Mentorship Network, a soon-to-be-launched national mentorship initiative for women of color in ministry.  Lastly, there were three board members/founders of CHHR in attendance which included Joanne Thigpen of Abyssinian Baptist Church.

Roslyn Daniels, president and founder of Black Health Matters opened the   program by recognizing the health ministries in attendance and outlining the purpose of this dinner program.  Following her was a member of CHHR and community advocate, Doris Rhem, who shared her passion for community service. She gave a strong presentation with a plea that more African Americans consider research study participation.  Roslyn Daniels followed up with an overview of the different phases of a research studies and how physicians have a responsibility to make recommendations for patient participation.   She stressed that the dinner could be a national model for advocacy for African American communities.

Adrienne Nicole, a lupus patient and advocate followed her with her own personal testimony on living with lupus.  She shared her personal journey of diagnosis and why research study participation is imperative.  Adrienne works with the Lupus Research Alliance in various capacities.  Angela Rochelle, of Continuum Clinical spoke about the importance of research studies and thanked her client Bristol-Myers Squibb for embracing diversity in supporting programslikethis.  She also shared that clinical research could lead to more options for those that bear the burden of living with lupus.

The dinner program closed by highlighting a Lunch & Learn series of smaller discussion groups that will be held at 4 prominent churches in Harlem in October and November.These Lunch & Learn sessions will provide an environment where specific medical questions about research studies could be addressed. The free informational Lunch & Learn sessions will be held at: Canaan Baptist Church, October 28th, 2018; Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church, November 3rd, 2018; Abyssinian BaptistChurch

on Sunday, November 4th; and at Convent Avenue Baptist Church, on Saturday, November 10th, 2018.  The Lunch & Learns will feature lupus advocate and patient, Adrienne Nicole, an Emmy-nominated producer, writer, and director who has worked for media organizations such as BET, TVOne, and Essence. These sessions are expressly for people living with lupus and their loved ones who want to explore options relating to researchstudies.

For additional information on lupus see: www.blackhealthmatters.com/lupus

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Researchers analyzed data from more than 3,200 black people in Mississippi who were enrolled in a heart study from 2000 to 2004 and found the risk of death from heart disease was more than 2 percent higher per year among those with diabetes. The chances of death from heart disease were 7 percent higher in those with kidney disease. People with both diabetes and kidney disease fared the worst; their risk of dying from heart disease was 15 percent higher.

Though the study didn’t prove a cause-and-effect relationship, the results suggest having both diabetes and kidney disease was linked to more than a three times increased risk of heart disease and a six times higher risk of stroke.

“African Americans in low-income counties in Mississippi have higher rates of adverse cardiovascular outcomes and mortality than any other subpopulation in the United States, rates that are comparable to those in some of the most underprivileged parts of the globe,” said Maryam Afkarian, of the University of Washington in Seattle.

Afkarian, the study’s co-leader, noted that researchers wanted to know how much diabetes and kidney disease might contribute to heart disease, stroke and death from heart disease in this group of black people from low-income areas in Mississippi. “This is an important question because in order to reduce the excess burden of cardiovascular disease and death, it is important to identify the factors that contribute to them,” she explained.

Both kidney disease and diabetes are very common among black people in this country. We are more likely than all races except Native Americans to be diagnosed with diabetes. We are three times more likely to suffer kidney failure than whites, and we make up more than 32 percent of all patients in this country receiving dialysis for kidney failure.

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While there is no obvious explanation for the small jump in these death rates published last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Heart Association President Steven Houser, Ph.D., said the reinforce the urgency of preventing heart disease and stroke—the two leading causes of death in the world.

“We know the risk factors of cardiovascular disease. We have to continue to help people understand them so they can take control of their own health,” said Houser, senior associate dean of research, chairperson of the department of physiology and director of the Cardiovascular Research Center at Temple University in Philadelphia.

The CDC found that death rates from eight of the top 10 causes of death in the u.S. went up in 2015, and the average life expectancy fell to 78.8 years, which is a decrease of one-tenth of a year or slightly more than a month from 2014.

Leading Causes of Death

1. Heart disease
2. Cancer
3. Chronic lower respiratory diseases
4. Accidents
5. Stroke
6. Alzheimer’s disease
7. Diabetes
8. Flu, pneumonia
9. Kidney disease
10. Suicide

“It is unusual,” said Jiaquan Xu, M.D., co-author of the report and an epidemiologist at the National Center for Health Statistics at the CDC. He cautioned against reading too much into the statistics since they only represent one year of activity. “This isn’t a trend,” he said.

Heart disease was responsible for 168.5 deaths per 100,000 Americans in 2015, up from 167 a year earlier. The overall death rate from all causes hadn’t jumped since 1999, but in 2015, it rose 1.2 percent.

Heart disease remained the No. 1 killer of Americans in 2015, with stroke staying at the No. 5 spot. Stroke death rates increased from 36.5 deaths per 100,000 Americans in 2014 to 37.6 in 2015. Heart disease death rates have declined since at least 1969, but have plateaued in recent years.

Houser noted that preliminary research suggests there won’t be another increase in 2016. Yet, he said the medical community needs to do more to help people embrace life changes such as exercising and eating a healthy diet.

“I’m worried about the young people that have obesity and early onset metabolic syndromes,” he said. “What is going to happen to them when they are 40 years old? That’s my biggest concern.”

Especially troubling are current rates of childhood diabetes and obesity that could affect the future death rates due to the well-documented ties to cardiovascular diseases, health experts say.

The AHA has been engaging a number of approaches to combat these trends. Among these are efforts to reduce Americans’ intake of sugary beverages to prevent obesity and the increased risk it causes of heart disease and stroke.

“Prevention is an essential element of our fight to improve the health of all Americans,” AHA CEO Nancy Brown said. “We are committed to saving lives by improving the cardiovascular health of all Americans. We have made tremendous progress over our first nine decades and we will continue to do so.”

Houser said improving Americans’ cardiovascular health is crucial because of the impact it could have on deaths from other diseases that are also on the upswing.

The report also showed that the death rate from Alzheimer’s disease rose 15.7 percent—the highest increase for any disease, from 25.4 in 2014 to 29.4 in 2015. Houser said cardiovascular diseases can lead to vascular dementia, and that further research may show that this is associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

There was some good news from the report. The death rate from cancer dropped from 161.2 to 158.5 deaths per 100,000 people. The rate of death from the flu and pneumonia was essentially flat.

From American Heart Association News

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Our bodies need triglycerides, a type of fat in your blood, for energy. But if they are too high (normal is less than 150, borderline-high is 150 to 199, high is 200 to 499, very high is 500 or higher), they can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. The most common causes of high triglycerides are obesity and poorly controlled diabetes. They can also be caused by hypothyroidism, kidney disease and some medications. Lifestyle choices that promote overall health can help lower your triglycerides. If your triglycerides are elevated, you should limit or avoid these foods:

Some studies suggest alcohol is good for your heart. But too much of it can drive up triglyceride levels. That’s because the sugars that are naturally part of alcohol, whether it’s wine, beer or liquor, can be a problem.
Beans are excellent sources of fiber. But if they’re made with sugar or pork (think baked beans), the bad may outweigh the good. Check the nutrition label to see what’s in them, and how much sugar and fat you’re getting. You could also switch to black beans, which are a great source of fiber and protein, without saturated fats or added sugar.
Baked goods generally are made with butter, which is loaded with saturated fat. Because of your high triglycerides, you should limit the saturated fat in your diet. Check the nutrition facts label to know the amount of saturated fat in your pastries.
Use olive oil instead of butter or margarine, which may have too much saturated fat or trans fat, to cook. Canola, flaxseed and walnut oils also are healthier alternatives.
Fish is good for your heart—in fact, the American Heart Association recommends two servings of fatty fish twice a week—but if you’re buying canned fish, check the label to see if it’s packed in oil. Choose canned fish packed in water instead.
Coconut is the in thing these days, with many touting the health benefits of coconut milk, coconut water, coconut flakes and coconut oil. But coconut is also high in saturated fats.
If the choice is between fruit and chocolate cake, fruit wins hands down every time. But if your triglycerides are high, you may need to cut down to two to three pieces of fruit a day to limit the natural sugars found in fruit.
You don’t have to give up meat entirely, but choose lean cuts and trim visible fat.
Honey and maple syrup are healthier than refined sugar. But like sugar, these sweeteners can raise triglyceride levels.
Your body turns too much starch—breads, pasta, potatoes, cereals—into triglycerides. You can still eat them, but have the proper serving sizes. A serving is a slice of bread, 1/3 cup of rice or pasta, or half a cup of potatoes or cooked oatmeal. This also applies to starchy vegetables, like corn and peas. Choose other options, like cauliflower, kale or mushrooms.
Cut back on sugary drinks, whether it’s soda, fruit juice or sweet tea. Limit yourself to no more than 8 ounces of sugar-sweetened drinks each day.
Photo: Depositphotos

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• Systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common form of the disease, and it involves the entire body.
• Cutaneous lupus causes a rash and lesions on the skin.
• Drug-induced lupus, which occurs when a doctor prescribes a medicine that causes lupus symptoms, usually goes away when the medication is stopped.

Davis was diagnosed with SLE. “It was a devastating diagnosis,” she reveals. “And one I didn’t take as seriously as I should.”
She takes prednisone, which has given her a moon face. She also suffers from joint problems, especially if it’s really cold or damp and humid. She jokes about buying stock in Aspercreme. And she has experienced hair loss.
The fatigue that marks the disease has most severely cramped her lifestyle. “It’s the symptom that bothers us the most,” she says. “It stops us dead in our tracks. There were times it was truly a stretch to get up off the couch.”
But perhaps her biggest lupus challenge came about a year after her initial diagnosis. “In 2010, I was diagnosed with kidney disease,” she says. At first she was able to manage the additional health threat, but by 2016, her kidney function had dipped to 4 percent. Her doctors said it was time to think about dialysis.
She wanted to handle the new diagnosis with exercise and diet. “I said, ‘Let me get my green smoothie on,’ but sometimes we have to take the medicine, and my medicine was dialysis,” she says.
Davis pulls up her shirt to reveal her catheter. “I do nine hours of dialysis with my boyfriend, Baxter,” she says jokingly. Then, serious, again, she adds: “This is my lifeline now.”
Davis’ mission isn’t only to share her own story, though her real-world examples of how lupus has affected her are an engaging way to grab an audience’s attention. “I’m just one of many people living with lupus today. I’m able to hold down a full-time job still. Some can’t,” she says.
Her bigger goal is to spread lupus awareness.
And so she shares these facts:

• Nine out of 10 lupus patients are women.
• 40 percent to 50 percent of sufferers will have organ involvement.
• 1.5 million people in the United States are living with this disease. But that’s a conservative estimate, she explains. “Lupus isn’t tracked well and doesn’t appear on your death certificate.”
• Black women are two to three times more likely to be diagnosed than white women; men are diagnosed less often, but they tend to have more severe symptoms.

Celebrities with lupus—Davis cites Toni Braxton, Nick Cannon, Selena Gomez and Lady Gaga—are doing their part, alongside organizations like the Lupus Foundation of America and the Lupus Research Alliance.
But it’s not enough.
“We are the foot soldiers spreading awareness about this disease,” Davis says, “asking for funding and more research.
“The black community has been speaking up more lately. Now it’s time to make a difference in our health. Advocacy starts with health.”
With that in mind, what can you do? Davis offers these tips:

• Educate yourself. Know the symptoms, which include malar rash, raised red patches, photosensitivity, mouth or nose ulcers, arthritis in two or more joints, inflammation, seizures and psychosis, kidney problems and blood disorders.
• Ask for a full blood workup. Your doctor should look for antibodies to double-stranded DNDA and antinuclear antibodies.
• Be a myth buster. “Lupus is not contagious,” Davis says. “And it’s not HIV.”
• Get involved in clinical trials. “I understand America has a past about testing and medication. I know about Tuskegee,” she says, “but we can no longer say we need a cure to a disease and we’re not a part of the research. We to be a part of the trials. Reach out to lupus organizations in your community and ask what you can do. Doing the most you can in your own circle is the most you can do.”
• Be informed. Even if you don’t have the disease, chances are you know someone who does. Learn how to support the people in your life who have lupus.

The post Lupus Is an Urgent Matter appeared first on Black Health Matters.

More than 20 million Americans have chronic kidney disease

The Mediterranean diet—higher consumption of fruits, veggies, fish, legumes and heart-healthy fats—is already associated with providing protection against high blood pressure. Now a new study finds adhering to this diet may also significantly reduce the risk of developing chronic kidney disease. This is especially good news for black folks, since more than 1 in 3 kidney failure patients in this country is African American.

Chronic kidney disease is a growing epidemic. There has been progress in protecting against kidney disease and its progression through aggressive treatment of hypertension and diabetes, two major risk factors for kidney disease, but many people still experience declining kidney function as they age.

“Many studies have found a favorable association between the Mediterranean diet and a variety of health outcomes, including those related to cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and cancer, among others,” says study author Minesh Khatri, M.D., of Columbia University Medical Center. “There is increasing evidence that poor diet is associated with kidney disease, but it is unknown whether the benefits of a Mediterranean diet could extend to kidney health as well.”

For the study, researchers analyzed 900 participants for almost seven years. They discovered:

Every one-point increase in a Mediterranean diet score was associated with a 17 percent decreased likelihood of developing chronic kidney disease.

Dietary patterns that closely resembled the Mediterranean diet were linked with a 50 percent reduced risk of developing chronic kidney disease and a 42 percent reduced risk of experiencing kidney function decline.

Though the study linked a Mediterranean diet to a reduced risk of kidney disease, experts note that it is only one component of an overall healthy lifestyle.

The post Your Kidneys Love the Mediterranean Diet appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Black folks are setting records—for all the wrong reasons when it comes to chronic health problems, and kidney disease is no exception. We are three times more likely to suffer kidney failure than whites. We make up more than 32 percent of all patients in the United States receiving dialysis for kidney failure, though we represent only 13 percent of the population.

Sandra Gadson, M.D., of the Northwest Indiana Dialysis Center, shares some of the reasons for this disparity and talks about ways to stop the progression of kidney disease.

Black Health Matters: What’s going on with African Americans and kidney disease?

Sandra Gadson, M.D: Nineteen million people (in this country) have chronic kidney disease, 372 thousand are on dialysis. Eighty-two thousand are awaiting transplants. But health disparities aren’t new. We take the top ranks when it comes to kidney failure and being on dialysis. We also develop chronic kidney disease at a younger age.

How does kidney disease happen?

The kidney is damaged from high blood pressure or diabetes. Sometimes it’s congenital. With HIV there can be nephropathy, where some who have the virus end up with end-stage kidney disease. Cocaine and heroin can cause kidney failure. But the two major reasons: high blood pressure and diabetes—both not well controlled. High blood pressure is a silent disease. And in diabetes, elevated blood sugars harden blood vessels in kidneys and you’re not able to filter and get rid of wastes well.

What’s something we may not know about kidney disease?

People who have kidney failure tend to have more cardiovascular risks. Also, dialysis is performed three times per week. Transportation to dialysis is becoming a big problem. One of the worst things is people who have to have dialysis, but don’t have transportation.

What’s the difference between peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis?

Peritoneal dialysis is better. You can eat what you want and don’t have to worry about diet restrictions because it’s daily (at night). The patient has control, takes ownership. Hemodialysis is basically every other day. There are diet and fluid restrictions. Some people don’t want to take ownership.

What can be done to slow kidney disease—or prevent it?

Staging chronic kidney disease helps people not progress to dialysis or transplant. Many years ago, nephrologists wouldn’t see people until they progressed to dialysis. Now we want to see them earlier. Educate patients. Talk about weight loss. Look at their diet, limit salt, eliminate processed foods. Tell them to get blood sugars checked. If i can take care of you at stage one, perhaps you won’t get to stage five, when there’s no return. Starting early really does make a difference.

The post Sandra Gadson, M.D.: Kidney Disease—Start Treating Early appeared first on Black Health Matters.

The large disparity in kidney transplant rates between blacks and whites in this country has shrunk since the late 1990s, says a new study.

The study analyzed nearly 200,000 kidney failure patients and found that the transplant rate for blacks increased from 93 per 1,000 patients in 1998 to 128 per 1,000 in 2010 and 2011. The 2010-11 rate was the same for whites, a slight decline from 1998.

The improving rate among black patients was “driven wholly by increased rates of transplants from deceased donors,” said Jesse Sammon, M.D., a urologist-researcher at the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. In 2011, about 80 percent of the kidney transplants for black patients used kidneys from deceased donors. These organs tend to do worse than those from living donors.

Though the study results are mostly “good news,” there remains a bit of bad news: Younger black kidney failure patients still die at nearly twice the rate of whites, and they are less likely to be placed on the transplant list.

Though researchers say it’s encouraging that once on the transplant list, blacks have good transplant outcomes—something the United Network for Organ Sharing’s kidney committee has been working toward for years—Dr. Sammon told the Associated Press more needs to be done to eliminate racial disparities.

The post Kidney Transplant Racial Gap Shrinks appeared first on Black Health Matters.

New rules for allocating donor kidneys have led to more transplants for blacks and Hispanics, whose access to donor organs had been held artificially low under an earlier formula.

A recent study also identified other “winners and losers” under the new system: Younger adults gained more access to needed organs, compared with those who are still “over-represented” on recipient lists—adults over 50 and those whose immune systems more readily tend to reject donor organs.

The rule changes did nothing to increase the number of minorities on transplant waiting lists, the researchers emphasize.

“The new allocation policy only addresses the population of patients on the waiting list,” said study leader Dorry L. Segev, associate professor of surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “There are still profound disparities for non-Caucasian candidates.

In December 2014, the United Network for Organ Sharing instituted what researchers described as “the most significant change to the kidney allocation algorithm” in more than 20 years.

The old algorithm was “first-come, first-served.” It assigned organs—with some exceptions—based largely on how long patients had been on the waiting list. Now, more weight is given to time spent on dialysis than time spent on the list.

The change was meant to increase transplant access for members of racial and ethnic minorities, who often aren’t placed on the waiting list in a timely manner after dialysis starts, Segev said.

For the study, published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, researchers compared transplants from nearly two years before the new rules kicked in to nearly 10 months after.

During this short time, deceased donor transplant rates jumped 19 percent for black recipients and 13 percent for Hispanics. In 20,692 transplants in the 23 months before the new system, black patients received 31.7 percent and Hispanic patients received 16.9 percent. After 8,481 transplants in 10 months under the new system, black patients received 37.2 percent and Hispanic patients received 18.4 percent.

Others benefiting from the new rules include adults between 18 and 50. Under “first-come, first-served,” Segev said, donor organs predicted to last for many years were often transplanted into patients not expected to live as long, and organs predicted to have a short life span were often given to patients expected to live a long time.

Under the new rules, which match organs and patients partly on likely longevity, the transplantation rate increased by 47 percent for candidates ages 18 to 40 and by 17 percent for candidates ages 41 to 50.

Conversely, the transplantation rate declined by 7 percent for those between 51 and 60, 10 percent for those between 61 and 70, and 24 percent for those older than 70.

Winners under the new algorithm also include patients with elevated levels of certain “reactive” antibodies, a measure of immune system sensitivity designed to predict what proportion of deceased donor kidneys are likely to be accepted or rejected in the body of a patient.

The study shows that the proportion of very highly sensitized patients—who can accept organs from less than 1 percent of the population—initially spiked from 2 percent of those receiving deceased donor kidney transplants in the old system to about 12 percent soon after the new rules were implemented, then fell by August 2015 to 7 percent. That percentage, which represented 61 of 857 transplants that month, still unfairly “overrepresents” such patients in the total candidate pool, Segev said.

Thus, although the new rules fix some of the problems researchers had highlighted under the old algorithm, issues still need to be addressed before the system is fair and can lead to the best outcomes for patients, particularly minorities, Segev said.

According to the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network, run by UNOS, more than 100,000 patients in the United States are currently on the kidney transplant waiting list, and 3,000 are added each month. About 12 people die each day waiting for a donor kidney.

From Futurity

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Gabrielle Davis, a former journalist, found out she had lupus in 2009. She says her diagnosis turned her world upside down, and it took her a few years to feel like her pre-lupus self. Below, Davis, now a lupus activist, talks about her diagnosis, how it changed the way she thinks about herself and what she wants others to know about the disease.

Q: How long have you been living with lupus? And how were you diagnosed?

A: In February 2009 I experienced severe lupus symptoms for the first time. I had shooting pain, fatigue and inflammation [swelling] so bad that it was nearly impossible to walk. The doctors were so alarmed by my high white blood cell count that I was admitted to the ER on Valentine’s Day, when I was supposed to be celebrating with my new husband. I was in the hospital for four days. After a lot of tests, there still wasn’t a conclusive diagnosis. I didn’t learn that my symptoms were being caused by an autoimmune disease until I went to see my primary care physician.

In July 2009, I went through another round of testing with my rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in the diseases of joints and muscles. That’s when I was formally diagnosed with SLE [systemic lupus erythematosus]. It’s the most common type of lupus. Looking back at my time in college, I was always tired. It was more than your average busy college student tired, but I didn’t know that at the time. I realize now I could have been exhibiting signs of lupus then.

Not too long after my diagnosis, my nephrologist found that lupus affected my renal system. It scarred my kidneys. They don’t work as well as they should now. In March 2013, I was told that I would need a kidney transplant in the future. It was a major blow for me and my husband. For now, my kidneys function well enough for me to live without dialysis or a kidney transplant. It’s a blessing.

Q: What symptoms do you experience now, and how do you manage them?

A: Having lupus affect my kidneys is dangerous medically, but there aren’t any physical symptoms of the kidney damage right now. It’s the debilitating fatigue that makes it rough to balance a career, being married and attend to additional commitments. I manage it by eating well most of the time and exercising regularly. But when it stops me in my tracks, I practice good self-care and I rest. I call in sick from work or cancel my plans for the day.

Q: Has lupus changed the way you think about yourself?

A: The beginning of my journey with lupus was really tough. I was 28, a go-getter by nature and newly married. My lupus diagnosis knocked me off my feet. I was tired and nauseous a lot. I can laugh about it now, but I used pain-relieving creams regularly to ease my inflammation. I felt like a young woman in an old woman’s body.

No one really thinks they’ll experience the “in sickness and in health” part of their vows so early in their marriage, but my husband and I did. I didn’t look like myself. The steroids caused weight gain and I developed the dreaded “moon face.” This happens when the medicines make your face puff up. It’s something all lupus patients know and hate.

I had waist-long dreadlocks I had to cut off because they were falling out. One time I found fallen dreadlocks on my apartment steps. I didn’t recognize myself physically or mentally. I had essentially checked out.

I felt horrible that my new husband had to walk that road with me. Honestly, it took a few years for the pre-lupus Gabrielle to show up again. It took ongoing love and support from my husband, counseling and encouragement from friends and family. We’re still navigating a road neither of us signed up for. We also want to start a family. But with my kidneys in the shape they’re in, we have to postpone and carefully plan what we’re going to do.

Now, I can honestly say that lupus brought out a fire in me that I never knew existed. I’ve always been one to persevere, but having to fight a disease took it to another level. There’s a saying, “You don’t know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.” My faith in God and the determination to carry on has gotten me here. I’m able to exercise up to four times a week, and I’m in better shape than I’ve been in my entire life. I’ve also gained a new perspective. I’ve learned not to sweat the small stuff as much. I don’t wish lupus on anyone. It’s a hard disease to navigate, but I can’t say I’d be as physically or mentally healthy if I wasn’t faced with beating this disease every day.

Q: The holidays can be a tiring and stressful time of year. What can women with lupus do to ensure they continue to prioritize self-care?

A: These are my best pieces of advice:

Schedule time to rest in the midst of the madness. Whether it’s taking a nap or enjoying the silence, do whatever you need to do to relax. And let your family and friends know that you need this time. Don’t try to be Superwoman. That’s not helpful for you or them.
Communicate with family and friends. Let them know that you need time to slow down and rest. They aren’t mind readers. You have to communicate your needs.
Delegate, delegate, delegate. You don’t have to do it all. Pacing yourself and splitting up holiday duties is a win-win for everyone. Can someone else host the family this year? Can someone else go to the store or bake the pies? How can you truly enjoy your family and friends if you’re worn out and fatigued from trying to do everything on your own?

Q: What role can partners and family members play in helping women with lupus manage stress?

A: I feel most supported when the people around me take a genuine interest in my well-being and step in without having to be asked. My husband is awesome about asking me if there’s anything he can do to help around the kitchen or run errands. It’s been a great relief to let down my guard and allow him to help. He’s also good about stepping in if I butt heads with that one annoying family member. Everyone has one.

Q: Will you tell us a little bit about what you do to raise awareness about lupus?

A: I launched Lupus Sistas in 2013. My mission is to spread awareness not just about lupus facts but also to share my everyday experiences, to put a face to the disease. I share the ups and down of tackling life issues as a lupus patient.
I also have a passion for spreading lupus awareness among black women, the group most affected by lupus. Lupus is two to three times more common in black women than in white women. Lupus is also more common among other minority groups. I love going to health fairs in these communities to educate women on how to shed light on this disease and offer support. I think offering answers and support to the communities most affected by lupus is a win for the entire lupus community.

Q: What do you want people to know about lupus?

A: In many but not all cases, lupus is an invisible chronic illness. Because many people with lupus “don’t look sick,” I’ve found that their illness is not taken seriously. I’ve heard of people being accused of lying about having an illness by those closest to them. It can be very hurtful. There’s a need for a better understanding of what living with a chronic illness looks and feels like.

Q: What’s your advice for other women living with lupus?

A: In some communities, there’s a belief that because lupus affects your immune system, it’s related to HIV and AIDS. It’s not. In lupus, your immune system is overactive. In HIV and AIDS, the virus attacks your immune system so that it doesn’t work very well. I wish there wasn’t a stigma around HIV and AIDS. The stigma not only keeps people with HIV from getting care, but also keeps people with lupus from getting care. Instead of getting the treatment, education and support they need, people with lupus suffer in silence. These health fairs are ground zero for dispelling lupus myths.

I also want women to know that being diagnosed with lupus is not a death sentence. Life will change, but with good self-care, healthy eating habits and moderate exercise, life with lupus can be enjoyable. And last but not least, you must learn to be your own advocate. When you take ownership of your health—educating yourself, following your treatment plan, et cetera—you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.

The post Living With Lupus appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Kidney disease and African Americans are not friends. We are at an increased risk of developing kidney disease, largely due to high rates of high blood pressure and diabetes. We’re also more likely to have chronic kidney disease at a younger age than people of other races. And while we’re getting the ugly statistics out there, here are two more: We are three times more likely to suffer kidney failure, and we make up more than 35 percent of folks on dialysis because of it.

While we’re dropping knowledge about kidney disease, here’s something else to know: It often has no symptoms, so it can go undetected until it’s in an advanced stage.

Yet, in spite of these startling facts, less than 3 percent of us even recognize kidney disease as a top health concern.

Count rapper David Rush (formerly known as Young Bo$$) among the clueless. “I didn’t know anything about kidney disease,” he says. “I just knew they were in my back and shaped like kidney beans.”

His crash course in all things kidney started when he was in tenth grade and discovered during a physical that he had protein in his urine. Doctors found, through a biopsy and further testing, that Rush had some scarring in his kidneys. He made some adjustments to his diet and promptly went on with his life.

“When you’re 17 or 18 years old, you’re not thinking about taking your blood pressure or doctor follow ups,” he says.

But a few years later, after Rush had completed college, doctors found more scarring. He learned he was in the fourth stage of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Though there are more than 20 types of glomerular diseases, glomerulosclerosis affects more men than women and occurs more often in African Americans.

Treatment can slow the progression of the disease, but the scarred kidney tissue can’t be repaired, and some patients with glomerulosclerosis gradually get worse until they reach kidney failure. These patients—and Rush was one of them—will need dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive.

[Related: Kidney Transplant Racial Gap Shrinks]

“I was put on dialysis at 25 years old,” Rush says. “Everything just kind of went haywire for me. I had to move back in with my mom for a bit. I lost my car. I wasn’t able to work. I was on a machine every other day for four hours a day. My time was kind of taken away from me.”

He admits he went into a funk, hearing only “needles and blood and the times and days you’re going to be sitting on this machine.”

It didn’t help that Rush’s doctors didn’t offer much in the way of understanding why he’d contracted this disease. So he started digging in and learning more to regain some control over his life.

“I looked into [why we are at such high risk for kidney disease],” he says. “It has a lot to do with the foods we eat, with the way we make our foods. We love our foods, man. It has to do with the way we’re not good with doctor visits. How big our intake of water is. With where we live. We have corner stores that serve chicken, pizza, quick-grab meals that are inexpensive and cater to our pocket, but they’re breaking down everything else.”

It was during this time that Rush was asked to go on tour with Pitbull. His appointments at the dialysis center made the tour—40 cities, 36 nights, from California to New York—impossible. Not to be deterred, he approached his doctors to discuss his options.

“I said, ‘With all this technology, there has to be a way to go on the road and do dialysis.’”

His medical team introduced him to NxStage, a home hemodialysis system that lets patients have control over when and where they dialyze. He committed himself to learning the program and, with the help of his staff, he was able to go on tour. “I was amazed when I got to do the whole 40 dates,” he says.

Rush’s treatment with home hemodialysis is rare for an African American. Black folks are 51 percent less likely to treat kidney failure in this way than white people. Research suggests myriad reasons for this, including provider bias, insurance barriers and lack of access (only 1 in 4 of the more than 5,400 dialysis centers  in this country offers home hemodialysis). Rush believes a lack of awareness also plays a major part, and he now devotes time to educating others about the benefits of this form of treatment.

“We hate seeing doctors,” he says. “We’re worried about health insurance. We’re worried about health insurance we don’t have. We can’t afford to miss a day of work because we’re living check to check. But we have to relate to people on a level to where they understand it’s something of importance to go ahead and look into [home hemodialysis]. Home hemo is a way to take the power back into our own hands.”

Rush says his advocacy has made him something of a health expert—both on the road and in his family. “More and more blacks and Hispanics are dying early because of heart attacks and high cholesterol and blood pressure being off the wall,” he says. “I’m trying to make that an uncommon thing. That’s why I speak out as much as I can. I’m always talking to others in the family: Take your blood pressure, check your sugar. I try to stay in everybody’s ear.”

Kidney failure patients remain on dialysis for the rest of their lives, unless they are able to get a transplant. Rush was fortunate to have a brother who was able to donate a kidney to him. Now he’s all about empowering others. “You can slip into depression dealing with this disease. I didn’t start living until I found out I could die,” he says. “If you’re in a situation, empower yourself with knowledge, surround yourself with good people and fight.”

[Related: The Wait for an Organ Transplant]

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Researchers who study cardiovascular health have long known that exercise is one way to keep high blood pressure at bay. But studies confirming this protective effect have mainly focused on white patients, leaving it unclear whether African Americans, one of the most vulnerable of all populations, have stood to gain in similar ways.
In a new study, researchers are reporting the strongest evidence to date that moderate to vigorous exercise, when done regularly, can help reduce the risk of hypertension in African Americans. The study, which was published in the journal Hypertension, was funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. Both are part of the National Institutes of Health.
“Although the protective effect of exercise had been well-documented in white populations, it really had not been clearly demonstrated for African-Americans,” said study co-author Nicole Redmond, M.D., a medical officer with the division of cardiovascular sciences at NHLBI. “This is a wake-up call to African Americans about the need for regular exercise and its importance in preventing high blood pressure.”
“The good news,” she added, “is that hypertension is a health problem that is preventable or treatable.”
African Americans have the highest rate of high blood pressure of any racial or ethnic group in the United States—as much as 50 percent higher than whites and Hispanics. And the fallout is profound: High blood pressure greatly raises the risk for heart attack, stroke and kidney disease, and when uncontrolled, it can lead to death.
Yet, while health-care providers have long recommended exercise as one way to limit this potentially debilitating condition, researchers have never closely studied the specific impact of exercise on the population most vulnerable to it. Until now.
“We’ve long known that exercise is an important part of controlling blood pressure,” said Dr. Redmond. “Now, thanks to this invaluable finding from the Jackson Heart Study, we can say that the same applies to African-American men and women. It’s a potentially lifesaving message that everyone needs to follow.”
Dr. Redmond acknowledged that getting people to boost their exercise levels weekly can be a challenge. But you don’t have to run a marathon, she pointed out. For now, including moderate or intensive exercise as part of a daily routine of good self-care is a great start. For example, brisk walking, stair walking and cycling all meet standards for moderate activity when done for at least 10 consecutive minutes at a pace that gets you breathing harder and your heart beating faster, Dr. Redmond said. You don’t have to do all your exercise at once: Exercising 10 minutes at a time, three times a day adds up to 30 minutes a day.
Do what works best for your lifestyle and budget. If the goal is to help lower blood pressure, exercise that gets the heart rate up is critical, Dr. Redmond said.

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If you’ve thought about registering as an organ donor but have hesitated, consider this: About 120,000 people in the United States are awaiting a transplant.
And transplants save lives.
“These transplants are lifesaving and life-enhancing,” said Randall S. Sung, M.D., an associate professor of surgery at the University of Michigan Medical School. “It’s easier than ever to be a donor, but there’s just not enough of them to go around.”
That message is emphasized each April during National Donate Life Month, which encourages organ donor registration—and celebrates those who have thrived after transplant surgery.
Registration is free and simple. It can be completed online or when you obtain or renew a driver’s license.
Still, many potential donors might have questions or fears.
Dr. Sung, a transplant surgeon for two decades, addressed the continued need as well as some important details (and misconceptions) about the process:

• It doesn’t affect your medical care: Transplant doctors and retrieval teams only come into the picture after a patient dies or is declared brain-dead, so there’s no reason to fear subpar treatment or a conflict of interest while alive. Said Dr. Sung: “The only interaction I have with a donor is at the time of [organ] recovery.” A medical team typically has no idea of a living patient’s donor status, he adds.
• It should be discussed in advance: Organ donors should tell their loved ones about their choice—even though it can be confirmed via a driver’s license or a state registry. That way, the transaction won’t come as a shock. “It can be a very awkward or even contentious situation when a family is caught unaware,” Dr. Sung said. A patient’s relatives may otherwise offer consent on behalf of the deceased, but having tangible proof ahead of time can ease the process.
• It involves complex review: When a donor dies, diagnostic tests and a full review of his or her medical history are performed to determine transplant eligibility. Using the United Network for Organ Sharing database, potential recipients are identified using criteria such as blood type, severity of illness, body size and distance from donor. Age, race, gender, health and income do not play a role. Organ donors, likewise, can be of any age, national origin or state of health.
• It moves quickly: Once a match is secured, there’s little time to spare. A heart typically has the shortest window from removal to transplantation—“in the neighborhood of four hours,” Dr. Sung said. Livers, he adds, ideally would be transplanted within 12 hours but could go as long as 24; a typical kidney transplant goal would be 24 hours but could hold up to 72. Each organ is typically packed in ice and preserved with special solution before it is transported.
• It respects the donor’s dignity: The donor is treated with utmost care throughout. Those who allow their organs to help others may still have an open-casket funeral if desired, as clothing would cover any signs of donation. There’s no additional cost to the donors or their families beyond those tied to medical care before death and funeral arrangements as planned. Although it remains an individual’s choice, many religions approve of organ donation.
• It can help many people: Assuming all of his or her organs (heart, kidney, liver, lungs, pancreas and intestines) are used, a single donor can help eight recipients. With tissue donation, that number jumps to 50. And the results speak volumes: “People can go from literally being at death’s door to walking out of the hospital in two weeks,” Dr. Sung said of transplant recipients. “It has a profound impact not only for the individuals, but also their families.”
• It is a safe, common procedure: Transplant surgery is one of medicine’s modern-day marvels. But it’s far from experimental. “It has been mainstream for a long time—the knowledge has exploded, and the success rates are very high,” Dr. Sung said. Furthermore, a recipient can live longer than ever after a transplant, he added. In many cases, that means the remainder of one’s natural life.

From Michigan Medicine

The post 7 Facts Everyone Should Know About Becoming an Organ Donor appeared first on Black Health Matters.

• Get your blood and urine checked for kidney disease.
• Manage your diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Keep your kidneys healthy with these tips:

• Keep your blood pressure at the target set by your health-care provider. For most people, the blood pressure target is less than 140/90 mm Hg. This can delay or prevent kidney failure.
• If you have diabetes, control your blood glucose level.
• Keep your cholesterol levels in the target range.
• Take your medication the way your provider says. (Note: Some blood pressure medicines, called ACE inhibitors and ARBs, may protect your kidneys. Ask your health-care provider for more information.)
• Cut back on salt. Aim for less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium each day.
• Choose foods that are healthy for your heart: fresh fruits, fresh or frozen vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy foods.
• Limit your alcohol intake.
• Be more physically active.
• Lose weight if you are overweight.
• If you smoke, take steps to quit. Cigarette smoking can make kidney damage worse.

The post Keep Your Kidneys Healthy appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Some of the complications, such as heart disease and diabetes, are ones everybody has to deal with as they get older. Some are connected to a weakened immune system, even a person’s virus is under control. Some health problems are the result of bad lifestyle choices, like smoking and drinking alcohol. And still others are caused by the side effects of medication use.

“Newer HIV medications have very little toxicity compared to older ones, but those lucky enough to survive for decades may be subject to chronic medication side effects,” J. Wesley Thompson, a physician’s assistant at Rosedale Infectious Diseases in Rosedale, North Carolina, told Everyday Health.

Below, we describe the nine most common health issues for people living with HIV and provide tips to help minimize them:

Cancer. People with HIV are at a higher risk of developing certain cancers, including liver, lung, anus, cervix and blood (non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma), according to the National Cancer Institute. That’s why routine cancer screenings are imperative. Men with HIV, especially those who have sex with men, should be screened regularly for anal cancer. Women with HIV should have regular cervical cancer screenings. People who smoke should stop; it’s the best way to avoid lung cancer.

Diabetes. Some HIV medications boost the risk of a diabetes diagnosis. Before starting a patient on any of those meds, a doctor should test his blood sugar levels. The risk of diabetes increases with age, so it’s a good idea to lower that risk by exercising, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a healthy diet that includes fruits, lean protein and dairy, vegetables and whole grains.

Dementia. HIV can increase the risk of dementia. For this reason, medication holidays aren’t recommended. The best prevention? Take all medicine as directed.

Fatigue. Exhaustion is common with HIV, with fatigue a result of the virus itself or a side effect of treatment. To boost energy, follow a healthy lifestyle. Eat healthy meals, exercise and get adequate sleep.

Fungal infections. A weakened immune system increases the likelihood of opportunistic fungal infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To prevent infections: Don’t dig in the garden without long pants, long sleeves and gloves. Avoid exposure to bird or bat droppings. And if a fungal infection develops, talk to the doctor about starting anti-fungal medication right away.

Heart disease. Men with HIV are at greater risk of atherosclerosis, the buildup of soft plaque in the arteries that feed the heart. In addition, some HIV medications also increase cholesterol levels. To prevent this exercise, eat a healthy diet, have cholesterol levels checked regularly and quit smoking.

Kidney disease. About one-third of all HIV patients have abnormal kidney function. Get regular lab tests of blood and urine to check for any kidney damage. Talk to health-care professionals about avoiding medications that may damage kidneys.

Shingles. Shingles, the virus that causes chickenpox, is more likely to affect people with HIV. Experts suggest getting the shingles vaccine.

Tuberculosis. Tuberculosis, or TB, a serious bacterial infection that affects the lungs, TB is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV worldwide, according to AIDS.gov. The CDC recommends people with HIV tested for TB.

With regular checkups, sticking to treatment plans, and following a healthy lifestyle, people with HIV can avoid many of the complications of the virus.

The post Manage HIV Complications appeared first on Black Health Matters.

• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Extremely hungry or tired
• Unexplained weight loss

The concept that eating too much sugar causes diabetes is a myth. That is, unless eating too much sugar over a long period of time has led to obesity. But, with normal, functioning pancreas, enough insulin should be produced to get the glucose out of the bloodstream.
Over the last three decades, the number of people with diabetes doubled among African Americans and more than doubled among whites. Yet, black diabetics still outnumber their white counterparts. And black women top the list.
These rates directly correlate with the increase in obesity over the past three decades as well.
Preventing yourself from developing diabetes in the first place is the main goal. This can be done with the typical lifestyle changes—physical activity, eating a balanced diet including the appropriate number of calories.
However, if you develop diabetes or prediabetes, it is reversible. Many people make lifestyle and diet changes, including losing even a small amount of weight, and as a result can decrease or stop their medications altogether because blood sugar levels improve.
Getting screened regularly will allow for early treatment and decrease the risk of those common complications.
From theGrio

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