• Chronic Kidney Disease and Acid
• Chronic Kidney Disease and Anemia
• Chronic Kidney Disease and Diabetes
• Chronic Kidney Disease and Healthy Bones
• Chronic Kidney Disease and Hypertension
• Chronic Kidney Disease and Nutrition
• Chronic Kidney Disease and Protein
• Chronic Kidney Disease and Vitamin D
• RSH Smoking Guide
• Top 10 Tips for Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
• Helpful Hints for Starting Dialysis
• RSH Dialysis Guide
• RSH Transplantation Guide

The last thing you might expect to hear from your nephrologist is that you need to eat baking soda! But it’s true. Arm & Hammer® – the same soda you use for cooking or deodorizing your refrigerator – will be suggested in your CKD treatment.

What does acid have to do with CKD?

Your body normally produces acid as it breaks down certain proteins in your diet or in the normal process of repair and turnover of body tissues. If you have acidosis (too much acid), your kidneys are unable to get rid of it in your urine.

Why is treating acidosis necessary?

• Treating acidosis protects your bones. Your bones will release calcium and phosphate in an attempt to buffer the acid, leading to osteopenia (decreased bone density) and kidney failure-associated damage known as hyperparathyroid bone disease.
• Treating acidosis protects your muscles. Your muscles break down when there is increased acid in your blood, leading to weakness and wasting.
• Treating acidosis may prevent further kidney damage.
• Treating acidosis helps prevent dangerously high potassium levels.

How do I take baking soda?

You will be told how many teaspoons to take each day. Try one of these methods:

• Mix soda with an eight ounce glass of water.
• Mix it with applesauce or apple juice.
• Place it in empty capsules available at most pharmacies

Are there complications?

Most patients have no difficulties. The most common side effect is diarrhea; placing the soda in capsules may prevent this. Even though you will see “sodium” on the box, soda produces little or no problems with swelling or high blood pressure.

As with any medicine, if you have problems, call your doctor or nurse. Never stop taking baking soda without calling us! If, for whatever reason, you cannot take baking soda, there are alternatives such as sodium bicarbonate tablets or sodium citrate solution. Your doctor or nurse will give you specific instructions if these treatments are ordered.

Galen Care Partners was founded by a group of physicians who believe in excellent, compassionate care for patient’s. In the constant evolution of health care, we are committed to providing and improving the health and well-being of the Chronic Kidney Disease and the End Stage Renal Disease populations. Our motivation is to provide safe, effective, and affordable services to this population in need.

We have a variety of services that support wellness and prevention, as well as education and treatment options. Through working in partnerships with patient’s, families, health care teams, ACO’s and insurance providers, our goal is to reduce costs, maximize quality of life for our patient’s, and an ease of mind for their family.

Galen Care Partners provides a unique personable service that specializes in Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis, and Transplantation. We reduce financial waste, ease the concerns of patients and their family. We provide variety of educational topics for our clients, patients, and family members.

We provide Nephrology Specific Nurse/MA training that is up to date. Which includes Anatomy and physiology all the way through transplantation process. Your new staff members are able to hit the ground running when they join your care team.

• In hospital access management care
• Transplant List coordination
• Chart lab trends
• Residual function trended every quarter
• Medication monitoring
• Hospital admissions/discharge planning
• Functional status rehab plan
• Report to payor
• Nephrology specific MA/Nurse training

About Galen Care Partners

Galen Care Partners was founded by a group of physicians who believe in excellent, compassionate care for patient’s. In the constant evolution of health care, we are committed to providing and improving the health and well-being of the Chronic Kidney Disease and the End Stage Renal Disease populations. Our motivation is to provide safe, effective, and affordable services to this population in need.

We have a variety of services that support wellness and prevention, as well as education and treatment options. Through working in partnerships with patient’s, families, health care teams, ACO’s and insurance providers, our goal is to reduce costs, maximize quality of life for our patient’s, and an ease of mind for their family.

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