When we think of protein, we think about meat, peanut butter, beans, and other foods that we need in our daily diet for a balanced diet. We don’t typically think about protein in relation to our urine or our kidney health.

If you have been noticing a frothiness in your urine and/or swelling in your hands, feet, or face, it may be time that you visit with your health care specialist, as you could be showing signs of proteinuria (protein in urine) and kidney issues. In a normal healthy urine sample, one will find mostly water (roughly 95%) and then small amounts of urea, chloride, sodium, potassium, creatine, and other compounds deemed unnecessary and as waste by the body. But when things such as large amounts of protein appear in a collection sample, they serve as a little red flag for healthcare professionals.

Normal urine generally produces anywhere between 0 to 14mg/dL of protein. Finding transient proteinuria, a common benign condition is often caused by fever, dehydration, emotional stress, exposure to extreme cold, or heavy exercise. Often, transient proteinuria cases will take care of themselves, usually because that which was causing the body to make haste with the protein waste has cleared up. For more severe conditions, it is important to understand that the excess protein in the urine is not what is hurting your body. It is more of a side effect or a sign that a real serious problem could be lurking in the shadows of your body.

According to average medical standards, anything higher than 14mg/dL could mean the person is experiencing other health-related problems that should be addressed quickly.

Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Health Issues

Among the more serious problems related to the high levels of protein found in urine include:

• Amyloidosis (a build-up of protein in organs causing them not to work properly)
• Excessive consumption of anti-inflammatory medications (these can be rough on the kidneys)
• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD is when the kidneys begin to fail, and waste builds up in the body)
• Diabetes – (too much sugar in the blood)
• Endocarditis ( infection in the lining of the heart)
• Lupus (an inflammatory disease caused when the immune system attacks its own tissues)

• Heart Failure (a condition in which the heart does not pump blood as well as it should)
• Sarcoidosis (a collection of inflammatory cells that form lumps, or granulomas)
• Sickle Cell Anemia (when red blood cells become misshapen causing them to misfunction)
• Nephrosis (damage to the small blood vessels in the kidneys)
• Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (cancer of a part of the immune system)
• Preeclampsia – (high blood pressure during pregnancy)

There are many things that your health care specialist can suggest that can help you protect and prevent further kidney damage. For instance, some studies have shown that inadequate vitamin D levels could make you up to twice as likely to develop kidney disease. Supplements or spending 15 minutes a day in the sun can increase your body’s vitamin D levels. Dialysis is used when your kidneys can no longer function at an adequate level to remove the wastes.

The National Kidney Foundation (formerly the National Nephrosis Foundation) was founded by Ada DeBold after her son developed and eventually succumbed to kidney failure. This foundation has helped advance the knowledge and treatment of kidney disease over the past 70 years.

Managing Chronic Conditions for Better Kidney Health

The key to healthy kidneys is proper maintenance. Of course, drinking water and maintaining a healthy diet will help with overall kidney function. Unfortunately, we have not quite figured out how to turn off the genetic components that make the body more susceptible to kidney damage.  The future is bright, and scientists are always looking, researching, and developing new treatments. Having a primary care doctor that can coordinate with a kidney specialist is critical if you develop issues with your kidneys.
Recent studies have found that the kidneys can sometimes repair themselves. This is a slow and tedious process as the owner of the kidneys must be careful with their overall consumption of foods and medications while maintaining proper health to support the natural repairing process. This is wonderful news compared to the long-assumed notion that the kidney cells are unable to regenerate after fully developing. Talk to your doctor and kidney specialist about diet and treatments that can slow down the progress as much as possible.

If you have questions or would like to talk to a specialist in the field, reach out to us at PRINE Health. We have offices in New York State but also offer excellent telemedicine options.

Telenephrology – Telemedicine is not as new as you might think. It got its start in the late 1950s and was originally conceived as a way for doctors to reach patients in remote areas. Many people live in places where reaching a doctor isn’t a simple matter.

Having a way to connect with a doctor who knows your medical history is essential. If it’s not easy or even possible to go to see your doctor for a personal visit, Telemedicine can be the pathway to better health. Due to the Corona Virus, many people have been quarantined, especially those who have compromised health issues. Kidney disease is a serious illness. If you are someone facing this health issue, staying home, and not subjecting yourself to exposure to the virus, is of utmost importance.

Nephrologists, specialists, and, in fact, most doctors are using Telemedicine more than ever and not just to reach patients in remote locations but for patients who find it safer, smarter, and more economical to “see” them virtually. Now, with the constant improvements in technology, a doctor can meet virtually with patients by connecting through services like Zoom and Skype, or even Facetime. The doctor will be in his/her office, with the patient in the safety and comfort of their own home, saving time and money for both.

Today, medical offices are having to spread outpatient visits so that vigorous cleaning can be done between visits. Masks need to be worn by both Doc and the patient. When utilizing telenephrology, a doctor can see more patients and/or spend more time with each patient. Doctors can offer their services conveniently for any hours they choose. Suppose you are experiencing an issue that you feel may need immediate attention and need to quickly see a doctor. In that case, Telemedicine can likely get face-to-face with your doctor.

How Will Your Nephrologists Work with You Via Telemedicine

Unfortunately, chronic kidney disease is on the rise in the United States. If you are having issues with your kidneys, you will need to have a Nephrologist on your medical team. It’s best if your nephrologist works with your primary doctor to create proper plans for your health.

Testing for kidney issues has improved dramatically. Testing has exposed the fact that a higher number of people need help with this disease. It’s added to the already heavy burden on the health care system. Dealing with the Corona Virus has been an enormous strain on our hospitals, doctors, nurses, and others in the medical field. Keeping patients with existing chronic medical conditions is an added factor. The less personal contact, the better so more people are opting to meet their nephrologists and their primary doctors virtually through Telemedicine, which also collaborates with both the specialist and the primary doctor.

An element of Telenephrology is the use of websites or apps which allow your family physician to upload important data regarding your kidney disease for your nephrologist into the software. The nephrologist will then use that information to help create a plan or keep a new patient as healthy as possible.

Saving Time and Money

On average, a telenephrology consultation takes less than 10 minutes. No receptionist or nurse is needed in these sessions, thus saving on office expenses. Scheduling is often done online or with a scheduling app. The doctor-patient relationship is more of a one-on-one experience. This conversation only involves the doctor and the patient without the need for the whole office visit experience. Short check-ins like this can happen more often so that the doctor can stay up to date with their patient’s condition. Knowing what a patient with kidney disease is experiencing on a more regular basis without the burden of time-consuming office business can significantly improve patient care.

These visits are shorter, and to the point, so they are often more productive. The goal is to improve the health and, ultimately, the survival of patients. Insurance costs are less with Telemedicine. These kinds of visits are generally less expensive, which can help patients who are paying for some of their health care out of pocket.

Most people will say that they do not enjoy their visits to their nephrologists or other doctors. Sitting in an office, waiting nervously for your name to be called, now wearing a mask in most cases, is no picnic. If you have never experienced Telemedicine or telenephrology, ask your doctors if they offer this alternative to in-office visits.

If you seek a consultation with a nephrologist and would like to consider a telemedicine experience, PRINE Health would be happy to set up a consultation for you.

As we continue to advance in the pivotal field of healthcare, a paradigm shift is evident. The predominant focus that was once on treating isolated ailments is slowly giving way to an incline toward a more comprehensive, ecological approach. This is the philosophy that we at PRINE Health embrace with open arms. We champion a holistic approach where we hand-hold our patients through their illness while paying heed to their systemic health.

The Imperative Of Kidney Health Management

Emphasizing kidney health is critical, especially in the face of the pervasive Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), which currently affects nearly 30 million adults across the United States. This vast prevalence requires the healthcare community to confront not only the sheer volume of cases but also the intricate and convoluted nature of the disease itself. CKD, often described as an insidious enemy, extends beyond renal health, impacting a multitude of bodily systems and often masking its true reach with muted elusive symptoms.

CKD: The Unpredictable Adversary

The intricate and deceptive nature of CKD poses further difficulties, with an overwhelming 86% of cases presenting with one or more additional health conditions or comorbidities. Comorbidity alliances, including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, depression, and bone disease, further complicate CKD, intertwining with the primary disease in a pernicious dance that accelerates disease progression and complicates treatment strategies.

Responding To The Multifaceted Nature Of CKD

The precarious interplay between CKD and its frequent comorbidities necessitates an approach to kidney care that is both comprehensive and individualized—one that can navigate this complex health landscape and address each patient’s unique needs. This calls for collaborative healthcare that synchronizes treatment strategies across different health fields to combat CKD effectively. In the face of such a formidable adversary, our healthcare approach must evolve, acknowledging and addressing the many dimensions of CKD to provide targeted, impactful care.

The Narrow Lens Of Specialized Care

The present healthcare system, marked by its proficiency in treating individual health problems, frequently falters when grappling with intricate disorders such as Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Specialized care, with its sole focus on the kidneys, can unintentionally bypass the profound implications that comorbidities present. Ignoring these jeopardizes a patient’s overall health and recovery prospects, underscoring the need for a broader health strategy that includes every facet of a patient’s well-being.

Such “tunnel-vision” care can, regrettably, diminish the quality of life for those afflicted with CKD. The patient’s battle doesn’t end with disease-specific treatment; they must also contend with the effects their ailment has on their daily life. Viewing CKD in isolation and neglecting its interconnected comorbidities can impede recovery and undermine treatment efficacy.

This snapshot into the limitations of specialized care highlights the pressing need for an approach that caters to a patient’s all-inclusive health status. To effectively tackle CKD, healthcare needs to transcend its current practices and adopt a strategy that appreciates the patient as an integrated whole rather than a collection of separate ailments.

The Holistic Success Formula At PRINE Health

At PRINE Health, we detour from the traditional path. Our philosophy hinges on a unique, well-rounded care model tailored to the needs of our CKD patients. By creating a robust multi-specialty setup, we ensure patients’ needs are met through a seamless interplay between nephrologists, primary care professionals, and other pertinent specialists.

Our blueprint for success is founded on agile care management, bolstered by advanced IT infrastructure. The objective is value-based kidney care, and we navigate these complex waters steered by our four primary goals:

• Improving the Quality of Kidney Care: Leveraging a multidisciplinary approach, our mission is to provide a wide spectrum of care that fulfills a patient’s collective health needs.

• Improving Access to Care and Patient Satisfaction: Centering patient care around the individual unlocks the door to healthcare that is not only efficient and effective but also conducive to bolstering patients’ overall contentment with their care regimen.

• Eliminating Waste, Redundancies, and Inefficiencies: A harmonious and coordinated team can substantially enhance productivity, ensuring patients benefit from lean care, where they enjoy necessary treatment without the hassle of duplicated or unnecessary procedures.

• Improving the Experience for Physicians and Care Partners: A cohesive work environment allows healthcare professionals to optimize patient care coordination, reducing stress, enhancing job satisfaction, and cultivating an improved care culture.

By keeping these strategic goals in our sights, we strive to actualize our vision: constructing a comforting and empathetic space for our patients—a safe kidney home where patients’ trials and experiences are recognized, acknowledged, and addressed with care.

PRINE Health stands proud at the vanguard of this evolving paradigm in healthcare, endorsing a comprehensive approach to kidney care. Our faith in treating our patients beyond their individual ailments exemplifies our commitment to fostering improved patient outcomes, higher satisfaction rates, and a healthier future for all our patrons.

We believe that health transcends the mere absence of disease. At PRINE Health, we strive to add life to years, not just years to life. Health, for us, is a blissful blend of mental, emotional, and physical well-being, and we are deeply committed to enriching every facet.