Keep your kidneys healthy by being “water wise.” This means drinking the right amount of water for you. According to The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) a common misconception is that everyone should drink eight glasses of water per day, but since everyone is different, daily water needs will vary by person. How much water you need is based on differences in age, climate, exercise intensity, as well as states of pregnancy, breastfeeding, and illness.

About 60-70% of your body weight is made up of water, and every part of your body needs it to function properly. Water helps the kidneys remove wastes from your blood in the form of urine. Water also helps keep your blood vessels open so that blood can travel freely to your kidneys, and deliver essential nutrients to them. But if you become dehydrated, then it is more difficult for this delivery system to work. Mild dehydration can make you feel tired, and can impair normal bodily functions. Severe dehydration can lead to kidney damage, so it is important to drink enough when you work or exercise very hard, and especially in warm and humid weather.

 Is It Hot-Hot-Hot? This Summer Stay Hydrated!

As the summer arrives, make a conscious effort to increase your fluid intake to counteract the warmer temperatures and elevated humidity. Be sure to check in on the elderly and pets. A good starting point for anyone would be to Drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water per day.
Tips for staying hydrated

1. Keep a bottle of water with you during the day. …
2. If you don’t like the taste of plain water, try adding a slice of lemon or lime to your drink.
3. Be sure to drink water before, during, and after a workout.
4. When you’re feeling hungry, drink water.

Know the Signs- Avoid Dehydration
If feeling thirsty, your body is needing fluids. Listen to your body and drink water throughout the entire day during the hot summer days. Always watch for potential signs of dehydration:

• Dark yellow or amber-colored urine (urine that is clear or very light in color is an indicator that you are hydrated).
• Constipation
• Feeling thirsty
• Constant fatigue or sleepiness
• Headache or lightheadedness
• For infants, no wet diapers for three hours

Water Intake for Kidney Patients on Dialysis
​
Before being diagnosed with End Stage Kidney Failure (ESRD) stage 5, I truly enjoyed a good cold glass of water. However, all of that has changed being on in-center hemodialysis dialysis three times a week for 4 hours. Dialysis works to remove excess fluid from your blood, so it’s important to manage your fluid intake. Fluids are typically limited on a dialysis diet, but the exact amount you should have each day may depend on your health and the type of dialysis you’re on. People on at-home peritoneal dialysis may have fewer fluid restrictions, while people on in-center hemodialysis generally have greater limitations to their fluid intake. Talk to your doctor or dietitian about how to manage your fluids and feel your best.

According to Fresenius Kidney Care-We are told the healthy body normally needs up to eight glasses of water a day to maintain fluid balance. However for people in the later stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and kidney failure these normal amounts of fluid can build up in the body and be quite dangerous. 

HOW FLUID AFFECTS YOUR WEIGHT: Excess fluid in your body shows up on the scale. Therefore, your body weight can be an important indicator of how well your treatments and fluid management are working together. Your dietitian will teach you how to monitor fluid gains and track what you’re drinking to help you feel your best.

Why your fluid intake matters on dialysis -Limiting fluids will help you feel better and stay healthier. Once you’re on dialysis, you may urinate very little—or not at all. Any extra fluid must be removed by dialysis, and consuming too much fluid may cause buildup between dialysis sessions, resulting in the following:

• Headaches and low energy
• Swelling in your face, hands and feet (edema)
• Trouble breathing from fluid in your lungs
• Heart damage from stretching your heart with too much fluid
• High blood pressure that can lead to a stroke

Less salt = less thirst = feeling better Consuming less salt will help you:

• Control your thirst.
• Avoid swelling in ankles, fingers, waist or under eyes.
• Keep your heart stronger.
• Breathe easier.

Gain some simple way to mange and limit salt intake

Tips to Measure and track your liquid intake

Measure and track your liquids People on a dialysis fluid restriction diet should typically limit fluids to 32 oz or less each day. Your doctor or dietitian will discuss your specific fluid requirements. To help you monitor your fluid intake, write down how much you’re drinking or eating throughout the day. It may also help to think about your day to plan what you’re going to drink and when. For instance, if you have a special occasion in the evening, consume less fluid throughout the day.
What does 32 ounces of fluid look like?  32OUNCES = 4CUPS=1QUART=946MILLILITERS=1LITER

5 tips for quenching your thirst and limiting fluids 
Controlling how much you drink isn't always easy. Try these ideas for managing your fluid intake.

1. Eat a piece of cold or frozen fruit, like grapes, strawberries or blueberries.
2. Freeze your favorite beverage in a bottle and sip as the fluid melts.
3. Suck on a piece of sugar-free hard candy or chew sugar-free gum.
4. Drink from small cups or glasses.
5. Rinse your mouth with mouthwash.

​Learn more Tips and Tricks to for fluid management and your dialysis diet

Tips for managing your thirst

Your dietitian, as well as fellow patients,can give you many helpful hints to manage your thirst. Here are some tips from  Davita Kidney Care  to get you started:

• Limit the amount of sodium and spicy foods in your diet.
• Be aware of hidden fluids in foods. Foods with high water content include gelatin, watermelon, soup, gravy and frozen treats like PopsiclesTM and ice cream.
• Stay cool. Keeping cool will help reduce your thirst. Try drinking cold liquids instead of hot beverages.
• Sip your beverages. Sipping will let you savor the liquid longer. Use small cups or glasses for your beverages.
• Try ice. Many patients find that ice is more satisfying than liquids. Try freezing your allotted amount of water into an ice tray. You can also try freezing approved fruit juices in ice trays for a special treat. Remember to include the ice you consume when tracking your fluid intake.
• Take your medicines with your meal, if possible. Try swallowing pills with applesauce instead of liquids.
• Battle dry mouth by using mouthwash or brushing your teeth. Sucking on hard candy or a wedge of lemon or lime will also help.
• If you have diabetes, maintain good blood glucose levels. High blood glucose levels will increase your thirst.

​THE BIG ASK: 
PLEASE You can still support my efforts by making a small donation today on my behalf click here> National Kidney Foundation KidneyWarriorLaTanyha Thank You for your continued support in my fight.👉

Get help navigating the challenges of kidney disease, organ donation and transplantation.
Toll–free1.855.NKF.CARES (1.855.653.2273) nkfcares@kidney.org or National Kidney Foundation https://www.kidney.org/ 
All other questions: Call our Main NKF # 1.800.622.9010

Still continuing to fight a good fight of FAITH; and understanding that recovery is about one day at a time- with that said I CHOOSE TO LIVE MY BEST LIFE in journaling my journey of battling kidney failure (ESRD)…raise awareness and offer support along with resources for my fellow kidney warriors my prayer is that this will help those who are challenged with this disease. 

On May 19th 2019 I walked a 5K along with my Kidney Warrior Squad, Davita Medical Group and many more across the nation- this was so AWESOME! The positive energy of thousands of people at the Kidney Walk was invigorating, inspiring and amazing.

Why I Walk

Right now, 30 million American adults are living with kidney disease. I walk because 1 in 3 people are at risk for kidney disease. I walk because 1 in 7 people have it, but most don't know it. (I was one of them) I walk for patents, families, and people at risk.

That’s because the Kidney Walk is not just about kidney disease. It’s about people. It's about the patients, families, and people at risk. It's about individuals walking to help improve and extend people's lives. It's about people from across the country raising vital funds and helping the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) expand the public conversation from kidney disease to kidney health.

​Why We Walk
Right now, 30 million American adults are living with kidney disease and that’s not okay. My team is walking with more than 5,500 teams from across the country to raise vital funds and help the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) expand the public conversation from kidney disease to kidney health. 

• We Walk so that trained, caring professionals can provide information, support and resources to people affected by kidney disease through a toll-free patient help line and email.
• We Walk to support advocacy efforts that improve the quality of life for kidney patients and reduce transplant waiting times.
• We Walk to fund NKF Research Grant initiatives, including the Young Investigator Grants program for promising, young scientists.
• We Walk to provide free, local KEEP Healthy® events throughout the United States where patients are tested for kidney disease risk factors and receive educational information and a clinician consultation.

DID YOU KNOW:
There are many Americans in the US have kidney disease but most don't know it. Kidney's are our body’s small organ, but powerful, chemical factories; working 24/7 to remove waste and keep our blood pressure in check. As a matter of fact, when kidneys stop working, so do you.

My heart is so full-- I really want to thank all of you in donating to the #NKF on my behalf raising over a thousand dollars and still growing- Thank you, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generous giving love and continued support across the globe. 

Thank you again for your continued support and donations. Some of the funds you donated will go towards KEEP Healthy events that provide free kidney health checks for people at risk. The KEEP Healthy program reaches into communities to find kidney disease and educates tens of thousands about kidney disease risk factors, as well as steps they can take to keep kidneys healthy.
​

Still continuing to fight a good fight of FAITH; and understanding that recovery is about one day at a time- with that said I CHOOSE TO LIVE MY BEST LIFE in journaling my journey of battling kidney failure (ESRD)…raise awareness and offer support along with resources for my fellow kidney warriors my prayer is that this will help those who are challenged with this disease. 

Kidney Disease-The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs. Each kidney is about the size of a fist. Your kidneys filter extra water and wastes out of your blood and make urine. Kidney disease means your kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood the way they should. You are at greater risk for kidney disease if you have diabetes or high blood pressure. If you experience kidney failure, treatments include kidney transplant or dialysis. Other kidney problems include acute kidney injury, kidney cysts, kidney stones, and kidney infections.

How common is diabetes? As of 2015, 30.3 million people in the United States, or 9.4 percent of the population, had diabetes. More than 1 in 4 of them didn’t know they had the disease. Diabetes affects 1 in 4 people over the age of 65. About 90-95 percent of cases in adults are type 2 diabetes.

What is Diabetes? According to The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Health Information Center Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy. Sometimes your body doesn’t make enough—or any—insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. Glucose then stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells.
Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause health problems. Although diabetes has no cure, you can take steps to manage your diabetes and stay healthy.

Sometimes people call diabetes “a touch of sugar” or “borderline diabetes.” These terms suggest that someone doesn’t really have diabetes or has a less serious case, but every case of diabetes is serious.

What are the different types of diabetes?The most common types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes If you have type 1 diabetes, your body does not make insulin. Your immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can appear at any age. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day to stay alive.

Type 2 diabetes If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make or use insulin well. You can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood. However, this type of diabetes occurs most often in middle-aged and older people.
Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes.

Gestational diabetes Gestational diabetes develops in some women when they are pregnant. Most of the time, this type of diabetes goes away after the baby is born. However, if you’ve had gestational diabetes, you have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Sometimes diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy is actually type 2 diabetes.
Other types of diabetes Less common types include monogenic diabetes, which is an inherited form of diabetes, and cystic fibrosis-related diabetes.

Who is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes?You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you are age 45 or older, have a family history of diabetes, or are overweight. Physical inactivity, race, and certain health problems such as high blood pressure also affect your chance of developing type 2 diabetes. You are also more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you have prediabetes or had gestational diabetes when you were pregnant. Learn more about risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
What health problems can people with diabetes develop?Over time, high blood glucose leads to problems such as

• heart disease
• stroke
• kidney disease
• eye problems
• dental disease
• nerve damage
• foot problems

You can take steps to lower your chances of developing these diabetes-related health problems.

DID YOU KNOW​
According to the National Kidney Foundation Nearly half of African Americans have at least one risk factor for kidney disease, but less than 3% say they believe kidney disease is a "top health concern," according to research released in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, the publication of the National Kidney Foundation.

Due to high rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, Blacks and African Americans have an increased risk of developing kidney failure. Blacks and African Americans need to be aware of these risk factors and visit their doctor or clinic regularly to check their blood sugar, blood pressure, urine protein and kidney function.

• Blacks and African Americans suffer from kidney failure at a significantly higher rate than Caucasians - more than 3 times higher.
• African Americans constitute more than 35% of all patients in the U.S. receiving dialysis for kidney failure, but only represent 13.2% of the overall U.S. population.
• Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in African Americans. African Americans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as Caucasians. Approximately 4.9 million African Americans over 20 years of age are living with either diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes.
• The most common type of diabetes in African Americans is type 2 diabetes. The risk factors for this type of diabetes include: family history, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes during pregnancy, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, obesity and physical inactivity. African Americans with diabetes are more likely to develop complications of diabetes and to have greater disability from these complications than Caucasians. African Americans are also more likely to develop serious complications such as heart disease and strokes.
• High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure among African Americans, and remains the leading cause of death due to its link with heart attacks and strokes.

​THE BIG ASK: 
March was Kidney Month I will be joining the National Kidney Foundation for the 2019 Long Island Kidney Walk! You can support my efforts by making a small donation today on my behalf Kidney Walk! PLEASE CLICK ON KidneyWarriorLaTanyha  to donate…Thank You for your continued support in my fight.
​
Get help navigating the challenges of kidney disease, organ donation and transplantation.
Toll–free1.855.NKF.CARES (1.855.653.2273) nkfcares@kidney.org or National Kidney Foundation https://www.kidney.org/ 
All other questions: Call our Main NKF
# 1.800.622.9010
2019 Long Island Kidney Walk
Sun, 05/19/2019 - 9:30am
West Babylon, New York
Register Now

As I continue to fight a good fight of FAITH; and journaling my journey of battling kidney failure…raise awareness and offer support along with resources for my fellow kidney warriors my prayer is that this will help those who are challenged with this disease. 





​DID YOU KNOW:
Your kidneys are vital organs. You need them to live, just like you nee your hear and lungs. They filter waste and extra fluid out of your blood to make urine. Your kidneys also do other important jobs including: 
*Control chemicals and fluid in your body
*Help control your blood pressure
-Help your body to make red blood cells 

When it comes to vital organs, hearts get all the love. But kidneys are just as essential to keeping us healthy. They are our body’s small, but powerful, chemical factories; working 24/7 to remove waste and keep our blood pressure in check. As a matter of fact, when kidneys stop working, so do you. Here are the 5 top jobs healthy kidneys perform.

1. Remove waste from the body Think of your kidneys as your body’s filter. The kidneys perform their life-sustaining job of filtering and returning to the bloodstream about 200 quarts of blood each day. 1-2 quarts are eliminated from the body in the form of urine which contains wastes and extra fluid. This prevents buildup of wastes to keep your body healthy.

2. Regulate blood pressure Healthy kidneys produce a hormone called renin to help the body control blood pressure and cause blood vessels to constrict. Kidneys can ask for higher pressure if it seems too low, or try to lower pressure if it seems too high.

3. Control the production of red blood cells Your kidneys make a hormone called erythropoietin. Erythropoietin tells bone marrow to make red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to supply all your body's needs. Red blood cells give you the energy you need for daily activities.

4. Produce an active form of vitamin D for healthy bones Vitamin D comes from two sources in people: exposure to the sun's ultraviolet B radiation, or absorption from food or vitamin pills. Kidneys convert vitamin D from supplements or the sun to the active form of vitamin D that is needed by the body.

5. Control pH Levels pH is a measure of acid and base. Your kidneys maintain a healthy balance of the chemicals that control acid levels. As cells break down, they make acids. The foods you eat can either increase or lower the amount of acid in your body. Your kidneys balance the pH of your body by either removing or adjusting the right amounts of acid and buffering agents. Let's give kidneys some love - heart your kidneys for a change-Go ahead and Take the Interactive Kidney Quiz. It's fun, quick and informative.   

THE BIG ASK: 
March was Kidney Month I will be joining the National Kidney Foundation for the 2019 Long Island Kidney Walk! You can support my efforts by making a small donation today on my behalf Kidney Walk! PLEASE CLICK ON KidneyWarriorLaTanyha  to donate…Thank You for your continued support in my fight.

Get help navigating the challenges of kidney disease, organ donation and transplantation.
Toll–free1.855.NKF.CARES (1.855.653.2273) nkfcares@kidney.org or National Kidney Foundation https://www.kidney.org/ 
All other questions: Call our Main NKF
# 1.800.622.9010
2019 Long Island Kidney Walk
Sun, 05/19/2019 - 9:30am
West Babylon, New York
Register Now
​

​
​THE BIG ASK: 
March was Kidney Month I will be joining the National Kidney Foundation for the 2019 Long Island Kidney Walk! You can support my efforts by making a small donation today on my behalf Kidney Walk! PLEASE CLICK ON KidneyWarriorLaTanyha  to donate…Thank You for your continued support in my fight.

I’M A WARRIOR
Continue to support LaTanyha please feel free to Like,Invite,Share,Tag Spread the Word with Others Join the Conversation and Leave your comments Connect w/her on Instagram/Twitter  @LaTBoyd1

​Get help navigating the challenges of kidney disease, organ donation and transplantation.
Toll–free1.855.NKF.CARES (1.855.653.2273) nkfcares@kidney.org or National Kidney Foundation https://www.kidney.org/ 
All other questions: Call our Main NKF
# 1.800.622.9010

The old adage 'Spring Forward, Fall Back' is a reminder to set our clocks forward, but it can also be a reminder to spring into action.

What are you reaching for in life? This is the time for you to step out on nothing but a wing and a prayer and go forward and not look back.

I’ve learned that God never consults our past to determine our future. The roads we take become learning experiences for growth and development, to bring us into our God given purpose.

Spring into action: Get in alignment with your purpose. This is your place in history, this is your opportunity to discover your passion and cross into your promised land. So what is holding you back? You have got to make up in your mind TODAY, that you are going to spring forward with your ideas and creativity or risk going back to what you were yesterday. Get your focus back and spring forward.

“If you want something you never had, you have to do something you never done; let today be the first steps towards your goals, your calling, your deliverance ultimately your destiny”

James 2:18 (NLV) Someone may say, “You have faith, and I do things. Prove to me you have faith when you are doing nothing. I will prove to you I have faith by doing things.”

Spring and Press Forward: Don’t allow another day, minute or second go by without fulfilling your goal. Don’t be afraid to take the risk but be very afraid of stagnation. Stagnation will stifle who you really are and stunt your growth into what you should be. There is victory in and through your struggles.

In order to make it thus far, you had to go through trials. To lighten the load, you had to leave some things behind. You had to face that mountain in order to speak to it. You had to face opposition in order to claim your victory. You had to be broken, in order to be build stronger. You had to be quiet in order to hear. You had to make that mistake, in order to be taught. Your Faith had to be challenged, in order to believe God can. All that you’ve been through was for a reason. In this season you’re moving in the right direction, “YOUR PURPOSE.”

My friends don’t allow life to pass you by and not walk out your purpose and fulfill your dreams. Continue to fight a good fight of faith and stay in the PRESS of Moving Forward.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. 

Founder of Bold and Breathless Cancer Survivor 
Shondia McFadden-Sabari

At the age of 36 Shondia was diagnosed with breast cancer;  hear her phenomenal story as she shares with International Host 
LáTanyha Boyd,of Spiritual Food for Thought Global Radio on being "Bold and Breastless."   

Shondia McFadden-Sabari is the creator of Bold and Breastless, a movement that uplifts breast cancer survivors and shares resources through outreach and advocacy. Visit: http://boldandbreastless.com/main/   

How often should one do a Breast Self-Exam? 
~Breast Cancer Resources, National Breast Cancer Foundation 

ONCE A MONTH 

Adult women of all ages are encouraged to perform breast self-exams at least once a month.  Johns Hopkins Medical center states,

“Forty percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump, so establishing a regular breast self-exam is very important.”

While mammograms can help you to detect cancer before you can feel a lump, breast self-exams help you to be familiar with how your breasts look and feel so you can alert your healthcare professional if there are any 

HOW SHOULD A BREAST SELF-EXAM BE PERFORMED?

1) IN THE SHOWER Using the pads of your fingers, move around your entire breast in a circular pattern moving from the outside to the center, checking the entire breast and armpit area. Check both breasts each month feeling for any lump, thickening, or hardened knot. Notice any changes and get lumps evaluated by your healthcare provider.

2) IN FRONT OF A MIRROR Visually inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead.

Look for any changes in the contour, any swelling, or dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipples. Next, rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match—few women's breasts do, so look for any dimpling, puckering, or changes, particularly on one side.

3) LYING DOWN When lying down, the breast tissue spreads out evenly along the chest wall. Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your fingers around your right breast gently in small circular motions covering the entire breast area and armpit.

Use light, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.