Kidney and Nephrology Education

HYPERTENSION

Half of adults have high blood pressure (BP), and 76 % over the age of 65 have it. Although you usually cannot tell you have high BP, it can cause lots of problems in the long run, like heart attack, stroke and chronic kidney disease. The good news is that controlling your BP lowers the chance of those problems. Work with your kidney team at RNA to learn the best BP target level for you.

If medication for high BP is prescribed, the most important thing you can do is to take it. If you have questions or side effects, do not just stop taking it. Talk to your doctor or nurse. If cost is a problem, mention that too. Taking your BP medication can save your life!

In addition to medication, there are other things to help your BP, such as:

1. Lose weight if you are overweight; set a realistic goal, then set a new goal.

2. Avoid drinking too much alcohol.

3. Stop smoking cigarettes.

4. Exercise 30 minutes per day, such as walking or using a treadmill.

5. Control your salt intake; check food labels and aim for 2000 mg sodium per day.

6. People who check their own BP at home do better at keeping it low.

Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Start now to control your blood pressure!

John C Maynard, MD

At Rockford Nephrology, it is our goal to empower you to learn all you can about chronic kidney disease. RNA would like you to take control of your health by learning how to delay the progression of kidney disease and learn about treatment options that are available to you if your kidneys begin to fail. If you have questions about your kidney education please call the RNA office at (815)227-8300 and ask to speak to Julie Ling, RN, CNN, Education Coordinator.

Kidney Education Classes

A unique part of caring for your kidneys at RNA is the education that is provided at all stages of your chronic kidney disease (CKD). Education at RNA promotes patient knowledge through classes, written materials, verbal communication and the Patient Portal. These forms of education help you, as the patient, slow progression of the disease process and also prepare you for treatment options available for end stage renal disease (ESRD).

CKD3 classes provide patients with information about kidney function, causes of kidney disease and Stages of CKD. Patients will learn how managing the cause of their CKD through diet, medication as well as how healthy habits can help to stabilize kidney function and possibly delay its progression. Classes will include discussion on how staying employed and having insurance can have a positive effect on your overall health. When necessary, classes will also prepare patients for making treatment option decisions on dialysis, transplant or conservative management if CKD begins to progress to ESRD. At RNA, our goal is to serve the nephrology patient and keep you as healthy as we can for as long as we can.

Classes for CKD are offered free of charge at our Rockford office and can also be viewed on our website. Options classes are provided free of charge several times a month at our Rockford, Beloit, Dixon, and Sycamore locations. Importance of the Kidney Diet is provided at the Rockford location as needed. Spanish classes are offered monthly at the Rockford location. Sessions for other languages may be provided 1:1 utilizing an interpreter line. Ask your physician about being referred for classes at your appointment or call the office to be scheduled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Are Education Classes Offered at RNA?

Education classes are offered at RNA to help the patient slow progression of the disease process and/or prepare for the treatment options available for more advanced kidney disease.
What Do the Classes Cost? Will My Insurance Be Billed for the Cost of the Class?

The classes are free of charge and insurance is not billed.
What Topics Are Covered in the Classes?

3 types of classes are offered at RNA. We offer classes for patients with early stages of CKD dedicated to informing the patient about how to delay progression through diet, medication, disease management that has caused the CKD and healthy habits. Classes are offered to patients with more advanced CKD to review the ways to delay progression, but begin to focus on knowledge needed to prepare for treatment options. This class will discuss types of dialysis, transplant, and conservative management choices. The role of diet class can also be an option for those trying to learn more about the kidney friendly diet.