LEARN the FACTS ABOUT KIDNEY DISEASE: A Self-Help Guide to Better Kidney Health With Proven Therapies

The value of this book is nicely encapsulated in this comment from the author’s opening observations: “For most of you, CKD is just a lab result.” Dr. Rosansky spent a lifetime treating and researching chronic kidney disease and his book, without in any way downplaying the serious ramifications of untreated CKD or the value of properly administered therapies, can go a long way toward allaying the fears of anyone who has received that diagnosis themselves or is helping a loved one deal with the issue. A surprising percentage of people have CKD at some point, and most experience no symptoms, according to Dr. Rosansky. As a layman with no medical training, the biggest takeaway for me is how much dialysis is used when that invasive, expensive procedure is not needed. Dr. Rosansky uses peer-reviewed research, his own experience and that of others to share how little kidney function is actually needed to thrive, much less survive. He doesn’t stop there. The book describes in detail the stages of CKD and what medical intervention, in his opinion and that of many other specialists, is truly necessary at that point, all the way from doing nothing to dialysis and transplants. He also includes detailed non-medical advice on diet and other factors that can contribute to kidney disease and help ameliorate it. I found this book accessible to the layman in its clarity and simplicity and am guessing it provides enough nitty gritty to be useful to the medical professional. The author also includes resources for further inquiry. I recommend it to anyone with risk factors, like diabetes, that may lead them to having to think about their own kidney health. It’s also an interesting read in general about a topic that affects millions of people, including many who may well be putting themselves through a lot of expense and physical discomfort when it’s not necessary.

Great job of explaining kidney disease. That's the title of the book, "Learn the Facts About Kidney Disease". I'm learning that there is a wide array of attacking CKD. One huge one is the use of vitamins, supplements and herbs. Dr. Rosansky points argues that there is no evidence that kidney supplements work, and that they can make kidney disease worse. He also asserts that vitamins, herbs and supplements can't be trusted, as they are not regulated by the FDA. Utah practicing nephrologist Yaw A. Boateng, M.D. has a book with conflicting views about the supplements, herbs and vitamins. The majority of Dr. Boateng's book "Reversing Chronic Kidney Disease" is spent on explaining the power and benefits of things like activated charcoal, Omega 3 and various vitamins, herbs and supplements. They disagree on the amount of protein CKD patients consume, and perhaps the optimal level of acidity in the foods they should consume. Both books give hope, and give plenty of solid, practical advice. CKD patients can take solace from Dr. Rosansky's writing about dialysis, and when it should start (later is awesome). I would say Dr. Rosansky takes the overall conservative approach, and Dr. Boateng is open to more experimental treatment. Decide for yourself, but please make an informed decision. I'm going to order more books on the subject to learn more. b/t/w I've been using most of Dr. Boateng's recommendations for a short while, with a kidney function increase from 16% to 23%. I'm going to take a chance and stick with it, with a couple of modifications in my diet as recommended by Dr. Rosansky. I do wish both had at least a couple of pages on pruritus. I got it, and was about suicidal. My research led me to Gabapentin, which my nephrologist wouldn't prescribe. Thank God my family M.D. did. It's been 99.9% gone for a good while now.

This book was quite interesting to me, although I am a lay person, not a physician. It was an informative read. I have/had friends and family who have suffered with CKD and were on dialysis. I am also at an age when kidney problems arise. When I get my lab reports I don't always know what the different categories are, such as creatinine levels. Now I have an idea. I learned that a low protein diet is not recommended for kidney patients and that dialysis should not be started in the early stages of CKD but after other means of help have been utilized. I would recommend this book because it is easy to read and understand and very informative.

Very information book that puts the medical jargon into layman’s language. Will greatly assist discussion with my doctors. Provides a great frame of reference for test results and treatment options.

Great Book...I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Kidney Disease and scared me to death, I'm 70 and have been healthy all my life. the Book covers all stages of the disease, and how to properly handle day to day living with it. What to eat and what to avoid as far as food is especially important.. The book is easy to navigate to find the info that pertains to your stage of the disease. Its not as bad as you think as long as you're willing to protect yourself. Americas diet is terrible, the more you look into this Fact, the more you'll realize how Unhealthy the Country really is. Processed foods, along with sodium, phosphate and sugar are killing us.

This book written for the average reader, offers useful information for patients with very mild CKD to those patients who need to plan for dialysis or kidney transplant. It offers scientifically proven ways to slow progression of CKD, including a chapter on a Smart Diet for all CKD patients. This diet not only can slow CKD progression but can also help patients to live longer and better. It offers the best treatments for the medical problems that can come with a diagnosis of CKD. For most patients this book will alleviate concerns about having CKD and for some patients with advanced CKD it offers an approach that can delay the start of dialysis for many months or even years in some cases. It explains why low and very low protein diets, promoted by many kidney books for patients, is usually not beneficial and may even be harmful. It provides the latest recommendations for treatment of CKD that comes from international kidney doctor organizations. The book is organized in a way that provides information for all patients with CKD in the first part of the book and has information in later chapters for patients whose CKD has progressed. For those patients who want to get the "meat" of the book, the final chapter provides a summary of all the book's material. Some patients may want to start here and read the full chapters at their leisure. The book is referenced with current kidney disease publications. It explains situations where kidney disease is reversible and ways to prevent reversible declines in kidney function. It dispels many myths about CKD treatment that have no benefit and, in some cases, may be dangerous. For patients who are wondering about whether dialysis is in their future, the book offers several ways to predict if dialysis is very likely or very unlikely in a CKD patient’s future. It lays out pros and cons of the various options for patients who are considering a kidney transplant or dialysis and explains why getting a kidney transplant before dialysis is ever started or home peritoneal dialysis are the two best options for most advanced CKD patients

A must read for people with kidney disease. Answers your questions, what to do to improve your kidney disease and the proper medical treatment of various stages of kidney disease. This book gives you an in depth understanding of kidney disease, which most doctors don't discuss.

Written by a doctor, there's a technical look at kidney disease. That helps with overall understanding. The problem comes with his "Smart Diet" for which he liberally pats himself on the back. This is nothing more than a comprehensive list of Do Not Eat foods, which are easily found online. Such a list does not make a "diet." Where are the recommended foods, how much to eat and when? There is absolutely nothing to use to build any kind of a safe meal plan. Very disappointing.

Got kidney disease and want reliable easy to understand information.Get this book. Author has been a nephrologist for 40 years. The information and advice comes from years of experience. First is the encouragement to take steps to preserve kidney function as long as possible. Then if dialysis becomes a last resort, how to make the best of that situation. Nutritional options and various up to date potentially helpful and affordable drugs are explained. Arm yourself with knowledge.

This book is brilliant. It gave us all the information we required to enter into a conversation with the doctor. Describing all treatments for various stages of kidney disease. Including which medication may be harmful to kidneys. It opened our eyes and our mind to the possibility of avoiding dialysis. We were overwhelmed and lost. Now we have a clear understanding.

An easy read for any level of knowledge. Highly recommended for anyone new to the disease. If you, like I, have been researching some already, you will probably not find much new info. It is a bit short. I would love to see some chapters on the different types of kidney diseases, as they can have quite different treatment and outlooks. Also some clearer guidelines to the Smart Diet would be great. Like clear info of what is great to eat and what to stay clear of, and what is OK in moderation.

Excellent and helpful.

Great little book, packed full of information from the author, a very knowledgeable person.