Other Key Biomarkers
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As presented here, Kidney Disease requires the tracking of many metrics that must be obtained on a regular basis through blood tests and urinalysis. For succinctness, we will consider a few more important ones that patients with Kidney Cancer may find most beneficial to understand through the course of their treatment, and leave the balance to proper, personalized discussions with doctors.
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Sources: National Institutes of Health; National Kidney Education Program; National Kidney Foundation, Kidney Disease Quality Outcomes Initiative, 2006-2011.
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Potassium and Sodium are two primary electrolytes for the human body. The Kidneys actively regulate our body's Potassium and Sodium levels so that our nervous system, muscles, and heart work effectively. With Chronic Kidney Disease, the Kidneys lose their ability to remove excess Potassium and Sodium from the body; therefore, if concentration levels (mEq/L) of these minerals in the blood become too high, then there may be an indication that the Kidneys may not be filtering properly, possibly leading to Renal Insufficiency. High levels of Potassium can lead to cardiac arrhythmia or failure. High levels of Sodium can lead to excessive water retention and swelling, high blood pressure, and renal or cardiac, insufficiency or failure. For patients with CKD and Kidney Cancer, monitoring daily intakes of Potassium and Sodium are important indicators for survival.
The National Kidney Foundation offers a good Nutritional Guide that discusses the importance of maintaining dietary balance of Potassium, Sodium, and other minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients for patients with CKD. The American Heart Association - Sodium Guide and The Kidney Foundation of Canada - Sodium Guide provide particularly good information about managing Sodium levels. Much more expanded and detailed Clinical Nutritional Guidelines are also available from the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI).
The National Kidney Foundation offers a good Nutritional Guide that discusses the importance of maintaining dietary balance of Potassium, Sodium, and other minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients for patients with CKD. The American Heart Association - Sodium Guide and The Kidney Foundation of Canada - Sodium Guide provide particularly good information about managing Sodium levels. Much more expanded and detailed Clinical Nutritional Guidelines are also available from the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI).