DPC Education Center’s Healthcare Consultant, Velma Scantlebury, MD, Live on Instagram to answer your kidney related questions. September 4th was Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Awareness Day, and Dr. Scantlebury discusses what PKD is, how it affects the kidneys, and treatment options. This month also sees a change in weather as we move closer to fall, which means new vaccines for both Covid and the flu. Dr. Scantlebury talks about CDC recommendations for vaccines, as well as the importance in consulting your healthcare team to make sure you stay up to date on vaccinations. She also answers patient questions on self-cannulization, home dialysis, and many other kidney-related topics.

Polycystic kidneys disease is generally an inherited disease, with the gene coming from one parent of the patient, though there are cases where it is caused by a gene mutation. Dr. Scantlebury discusses how PKD causes cysts to grow within the kidneys overtime, which displaces the substance of the kidney, which can lead to enlarged kidneys. Sometimes the cysts can also affect the pancreas and liver. There is currently no cure, and while those who are diagnosed early in life may have their kidneys replaced early on, most people are into adulthood before replacement is needed.

Dr. Scantlebury also discusses the new strain of Covid going around that is causing more hospitalizations and how the number of infections are on the rise. She highlights the importance of renal patients getting the new booster vaccine when it becomes available in the next few weeks, as patient are immunocompromised and at a greater risk of developing complications from Covid, which typically also negatively affect kidney function. While it’s important for patients to stay up-to-date on all of their vaccines (flu, shingles, pneumonia, etc.) it is important to consult with your healthcare team to come up with a vaccine schedule that it best for you.

Dr. Scantlebury also answers questions on self-canulation, home dialysis, sepsis and more, so give us a listen to hear this important information for living well with kidney disease! If you have your own questions you’d like to have the doctor answer, tune in for our Live events on both Instagram and Facebook:

- IG Live @patientcitizens the first Wednesday of each month, 12:30pm EST
- Facebook Live www.facebook.com/patientcitizens the third Wednesday of each month, 12:30pm EST