About the Author
----------------
Rich Snyder, DO, holds a medical degree from the Philadelphia
College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency in
Internal Medicine at Abington Memorial Hospital and his
Nephrology Fellowship at the Hospital of the University of
Pennsylvania. He is board certified in both Internal Medicine and
Nephrology.
Dr. Synder is a contributing member of the American Osteopathic
Association, the American College of Osteopathic Internists, the
Renal Physicians Association, and several other medical
organizations. He is also the author or co-author of numerous
articles in peer-reviewed journals and is the best-selling author
of What You Must Know About Kidney Disease. In addition to being
a popular speaker, Dr. Snyder has appeared on numerous radio and
televisions shows throughout North America. Currently, Dr. Snyder
maintains a full-time clinical nephrology practice in Easton,
Pennsylvania.
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Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
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Dialysis―the use of an artificial filter to clean and purify the
blood―can be a lifesaving technique for the individual whose
kidneys are unable to remove toxic waste and excess water from
the blood. But if you don’t know much about this ,
dialysis can also seem more than a little y and overwhelming.
What exactly happens during dialysis? How are you likely to feel
during and after ? And how will these s affect
your and your everyday life?
This book was designed to take the fear and uncertainty out of
dialysis by explaining―clearly and simply―all the fundamentals of
this medical procedure. But What You Must Know About Dialysis is
far more than a guide to s. I firmly believe that to
have the best possible experience and enjoy the best , you
have to take an active role in your own care. That’s why,
throughout these pages, I emphasize the choices you can make to
improve your s, your overall well-being, and your
day-to-day life. I look not only at your options regarding the
dialysis process, but also at how you can enhance your
through good dietary choices, tional supplements, and
exercise. My approach is holistic, which means that in addition
to considering physical , I also examine emotional,
spiritual, and social well-being, all of which can have a
profound impact on your physical condition.
What You Must Know About Dialysis is divided into two Parts.
Part One, entitled “Understanding the Fundamentals of Dialysis,”
was written to answer all of your questions about dialysis and
associated s and therapies. You will start by learning
about the basic functions performed by y kidneys, and then
explore the conditions under which dialysis becomes necessary.
Other chapters explain your dialysis options, including home and
in-center s; tell you everything you need to know about
the different types of dialysis access, including how you can
best care for and protect this “lifeline”; detail your monthly
blood work; and introduce you to the medications your physician
may prescribe to address dialysis-related issues such as anemia
or weak s. Throughout, I strive to give you the facts you
need to be an active participant in your s.
Entitled “Taking Action,” Part Two provides a wealth of
information on the many ways in which you can improve your
dialysis sessions and your overall . This section of the
book begins by focusing on two issues that are of great
importance to every dialysis patient―fluid balance and blood
pressure. By taking steps to control these factors, you will find
that you feel better both during and between s. Other
topics include how you can best take those medications that are
not related to dialysis; how you and your doctor can choose
tional supplements that can enhance your energy, combat
inflammation, strengthen your s, and support heart function;
and how you can put together a y dialysis diet. In Part
Two, you will also learn how you can improve your by
strengthening your body, mind, and spirit. Finally, you will
discover the fundamentals of kidney transs, the gold
standard of kidney s, and you will explore the top ten
“secrets” to improving your dialysis sessions.
While I have tried to make every discussion in this book as
clear and easy-to-follow as possible, dialysis is a complicated
subject, as is the overall topic of . That’s why, on page
169, I’ve included a Glossary that will help you understand not
only the terminology found in this book, but also the terms that
may be used by the professionals on your care team. It’s
vital that you communicate with your team―about how you’re
feeling, about how you’re responding to s, and about
ways in which you can improve your care. This Glossary will help
you out when the discussions get a bit technical. On page 177, a
Resources section will let you know about websites and
organizations that can provide further information about topics
of interest, and will steer you to companies that offer a range
of -enhancing products.
I cannot overstate the fact that you are a vital member of your
own team, and that you will reap the most benefits from
your s if you participate in your own care. With the
help of this book, I promise that you will learn the secrets to
not just surviving but truly thriving on dialysis, physically,
emotionally, and spiritually. Let’s get started!
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