Crystal Clear Kidneys, A Stone Prevention Podcast with Nephrologist Dr. Paul Dreyer, MD

Episode 09 - Discussion of recent kidney transplant done with a local epidural instead of general anesthesia

Episode 08 - A patient’s case study with Dr Paul - Frequent Kidney Stone Creation recommended diet changes

Patient Nick and Dr. Paul share an intriguing account of Nick producing multiple kidney stones.  Dr Paul tells what he saw through tests and recommending the needed diet changes to Nick stopping making kidney stones for nine years now.  Nick shares his assessment of previous care and how he is very glad with the outcome from Dr. Paul. ____

Episode 07 - The Truth About Blood Pressure and Kidney Health - The Crystal Clear Kidneys Podcast - Exploring Blood Pressure Changes with Age and Other Factors

In this episode, Dr. Paul examines the reasons behind fluctuations in blood pressure as people age, as well as the various conditions related to sex, lifestyle, and genetics that can lead to blood pressure complications regardless of a person's age.

Age-Related Blood Pressure Changes

Blood pressure tends to increase with advancing age due to stiffening of blood vessels and other physiological changes

Systolic blood pressure (the top number) often rises steadily with age, while diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) may remain stable or even decrease in older adults

This age-related rise in blood pressure, particularly systolic hypertension, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease in the elderly Factors Influencing Blood Pressure Across Age Groups

Sex: Women tend to have lower blood pressure than men until menopause, after which the risk of hypertension increases

Lifestyle: Factors like diet, exercise, and stress management can impact blood pressure in people of all ages

Genetics: Certain genetic variants are associated with a higher risk of developing hypertension, regardless of age

Conditions Affecting Blood Pressure

Hypertension: Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart attack, stroke, and other serious health problems in both younger and older adults

Orthostatic hypotension: A sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up, more common in the elderly, can increase the risk of falls and other complications

Secondary hypertension: Underlying medical conditions like kidney disease, thyroid disorders, or sleep apnea can cause elevated blood pressureBy understanding the complex interplay of age, sex, lifestyle, and genetics on blood pressure, healthcare providers can better identify and manage blood pressure-related issues across all age groups.

Episode 06 - Why am I making kidney stones - A patient's story

Dr. Paul shares an intriguing tale of a patient grappling with kidney stones.

Delving into a maze of tests and data, Dr. Paul embarks on a quest to unearth the underlying culprit, determined to guide his patient towards freedom from this stone-forming ordeal.

___

Top 4 Most Common Kidney Stones and Their Causes In this episode, we delve into the world of kidney stones, exploring the top four most common types and their underlying causes. Whether you've experienced them firsthand or are simply curious about kidney health, this breakdown will provide valuable insights. 1. Calcium Oxalate Stones: Keywords: calcium oxalate kidney stones, causes of calcium oxalate stones, oxalate stone formation, dietary oxalate, hyperoxaluria, calcium oxalate crystals Causes: Factors such as high oxalate intake, low fluid intake, high dietary calcium, certain medical conditions like hyperparathyroidism, family history, and specific medications like antibiotics and antacids contribute to the formation of these stones. 2. Calcium Phosphate Stones: Keywords: calcium phosphate kidney stones, causes of calcium phosphate stones, phosphate stone formation, hypercalciuria, alkaline urine, calcium phosphate crystals Causes: Conditions such as high urinary pH, alkaline urine, hypercalciuria, metabolic disorders like hyperparathyroidism, certain medications including diuretics, and genetic factors play roles in the development of calcium phosphate stones.

3. Uric Acid Stones: Keywords: uric acid kidney stones, causes of uric acid stones, uric acid stone formation, hyperuricosuria, acidic urine, uric acid crystals Causes: High dietary purines, dehydration, acidic urine pH, gout, metabolic disorders like Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, certain medications like diuretics, and genetic factors are implicated in the formation of uric acid stones. 4. Struvite Stones: Keywords: struvite kidney stones, causes of struvite stones, struvite stone formation, urinary tract infections (UTIs), struvite crystals Causes: UTIs with urease-producing bacteria such as Proteus and Klebsiella, urinary stasis, urinary tract abnormalities, catheterization, pre-existing kidney stones, and neurogenic bladder are common factors contributing to the development of struvite stones. Understanding the causes behind each type of kidney stone empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their dietary and lifestyle choices, ultimately aiding in the prevention of these painful and often debilitating conditions. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of kidney stone formation and arm ourselves with knowledge for better kidney health.

___