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Nephropathy: Understanding Kidney Disease and Its Impact

What is Nephropathy?

Nephropathy, also known as kidney disease, occurs when the kidneys, which filter waste and excess fluids from the blood, become damaged and can’t function properly. Addressing this medical condition is crucial due to its severe impact on health and lifestyle. your blood, become damaged and can’t do their job properly.

Main Functions of the Kidneys:

  1. Filtering Waste: The kidneys remove waste products and extra fluids from the blood, creating urine.
  2. Balancing Fluids: They help balance the body’s fluids by adjusting water and salt levels.
  3. Regulating Blood Pressure: The kidneys produce hormones that help control blood pressure.
  4. Producing Red Blood Cells: They also produce a hormone that helps create red blood cells.
  5. Maintaining Acid-Base Balance: They help keep the body’s pH level stable.
Detailed Diagram of Human Kidney Anatomy

Types of Nephropathy:

  1. Diabetic Nephropathy: Kidney damage resulting from diabetes.
  2. Hypertensive Nephropathy: Kidney damage due to high blood pressure.
  3. IgA Nephropathy: A condition where IgA deposits build up in the kidneys, leading to inflammation.
  4. Glomerulonephritis: Inflammation of the tiny filters in the kidneys (glomeruli).
  5. Lupus Nephritis: Kidney inflammation caused by systemic lupus erythematosus.
  6. Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD): A genetic disorder causing cysts to form in the kidneys.
  7. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Long-term kidney damage that can lead to kidney failure.

The Intersection of Art and Health: Humberto Poidomani's Journey

Portrait of Humberto Poidomani, an artist battling nephropathy, passionately painting from his home in Miami.

Nephropathy can significantly impair an individual’s ability to function or work, especially as the disease progresses. Chronic kidney disease (CKD), a common form of nephropathy, often leads to fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and physical limitations due to reduced kidney function and the buildup of waste products in the blood. Consequently, daily activities become more arduous, reducing productivity and making it challenging for affected individuals to maintain employment. In advanced stages of nephropathy, patients may require frequent dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant, further disrupting their ability to work and increasing the need for ongoing medical care and support.

Despite battling nephropathy, Humberto continues to paint passionately from his home in Miami. To honor his strength and support others affected by this condition, Exceptional.Art will donate 10% of the proceeds from his art sales to relevant medical causes.

Support Nephropathy Research: National Kidney Month with Humberto Poidomani

Humberto continues to paint passionately, and some of his online art masterpieces are on display for admirers and art collectors to buy art online. This initiative highlights his exceptional talent and raises awareness about nephropathy.

How You Can Help

By partnering with us, your organization can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by nephropathy. We collaborate with various institutions and brands to promote Humberto Poidomani’s art, raising awareness and funds for nephropathy research. Humberto’s art, showcased at Exceptional.Art reflects profound themes of social crisis, ecology, and the human condition and serves as a beacon of hope and resilience in the face of chronic illness.

Join Our Cause

Your partnership will help elevate Humberto’s impactful work and support critical nephropathy research. Together, we can inspire, engage, and drive meaningful change. We invite you to schedule an introductory Google Meet call to explore how we can collaborate and make a lasting difference. By integrating art and compassion, we can create a brighter future for those battling nephropathy.

Let’s join forces to support nephropathy research and improve the quality of life for countless individuals. Your involvement can provide the necessary resources for advancing research, improving treatments, and offering hope to patients and their families.

Contact us today to learn more about our partnership opportunities and how you can contribute to this noble cause. Together, we can transform lives and make a lasting impact.

Mickaël Albert Sebban
Executive Art Director & Outreach Ambassador
Exceptional Art LLC
(802) 234-8278

[email protected]

Detailed Diagram of Nephron Anatomy

Detailed Diagram of Nephron Anatomy Explanation

A nephron is the basic structural and functional unit of the kidney. Each kidney contains about one million nephrons. Here’s a brief overview of its anatomy:

  1. Glomerulus: A tiny blood vessel (capillary) cluster that filters blood, removing waste and excess substances.
  2. Bowman’s Capsule: A cup-like sac surrounding the glomerulus that collects the filtered fluid (filtrate).
  3. Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT): The segment where water, ions, and nutrients are reabsorbed into the blood.
  4. Loop of Henle: A U-shaped tube that further concentrates the urine by reabsorbing water and salts.
  5. Distal Convoluted Tubule (DCT): The segment that fine-tunes reabsorption and secretion, regulating electrolyte balance.
  6. Collecting Duct: The final segment where urine is concentrated before being transported to the renal pelvis and then to the bladder.

How You Can Help

By partnering with us, your organization can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by nephropathy. We collaborate with various institutions and brands to promote Humberto Poidomani’s art, raising awareness and funds for nephropathy research. Humberto’s art, showcased at Exceptional.Art reflects profound themes of social crisis, ecology, and the human condition and serves as a beacon of hope and resilience in the face of chronic illness.

Join Our Cause

Your partnership will help elevate Humberto’s impactful work and support critical nephropathy research. Together, we can inspire, engage, and drive meaningful change. We invite you to schedule an introductory Google Meet call to explore how we can collaborate and make a lasting difference. By integrating art and compassion, we can create a brighter future for those battling nephropathy.

Let’s join forces to support nephropathy research and improve the quality of life for countless individuals. Your involvement can provide the necessary resources for advancing research, improving treatments, and offering hope to patients and their families.

Contact us today to learn more about our partnership opportunities and how you can contribute to this noble cause. Together, we can transform lives and make a lasting impact.

Mickaël Albert Sebban
Executive Art Director & Outreach Ambassador
Exceptional Art LLC
(802) 234-8278

[email protected]

Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

    • Approximately 10% of the global population is affected by CKD.
    • An estimated 850 million people worldwide are living with kidney disease.

Incidence of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

  • Over 2 million people worldwide currently receive treatment with dialysis or a kidney transplant.
  • The number of ESRD patients is projected to double by 2030.
  •  

Leading Causes of Nephropathy

  • Diabetes and hypertension are the leading causes of CKD, accounting for about 75% of all cases.
  • Other causes include glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease, and urinary tract obstructions.

CKD in the United States

  • CKD affects approximately 37 million people in the United States (15% of the adult population).
  • 1 in 3 adults with diabetes and 1 in 5 adults with high blood pressure may have CKD.

ESRD in the United States

  • More than 785,000 Americans are living with ESRD.
  • Approximately 70% of these patients are on dialysis, while 30% have a functioning kidney transplant.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the United States

  • African Americans are about three times more likely, and Hispanics are 1.5 times more likely to develop ESRD compared to whites.

CKD in Europe

  • CKD prevalence ranges from 3% to 17% across different European countries.
  • Approximately 300,000 Europeans are on dialysis, and about 180,000 have a functioning kidney transplant.

ESRD Incidence Rates

The annual incidence rate of ESRD in Europe is approximately 135 per million population.

CKD in Asia

  • CKD prevalence in Asia varies widely, from 6% to 20% in different countries.
  • China and India have the highest number of CKD patients due to their large populations and increasing rates of diabetes and hypertension.

ESRD Treatment

  • Japan has one of the highest ESRD treatment rates in the world, with about 400,000 patients receiving dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Impact: Healthcare Costs

  • In the United States, Medicare spending for CKD patients was over $120 billion in 2018, accounting for 20% of total Medicare spending.
  • ESRD treatment costs are exceptionally high, with dialysis costing an average of $89,000 per patient per year.

 

Productivity Loss

  • CKD and ESRD significantly impact patients’ ability to work, leading to substantial productivity losses and financial burdens on families.

Mortality and Morbidity

  • CKD is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in CKD patients.
  • ESRD patients have a significantly higher mortality rate compared to the general population, with an annual mortality rate of about 20%.

Hospitalization Rates

  • CKD patients are hospitalized at a rate 2-3 times higher than non-CKD patients.
  • ESRD patients often require frequent hospitalizations due to complications related to dialysis and kidney transplantation.

Preventive Measures and Awareness

Screening and Early Detection:

    • Regular screening for CKD in high-risk populations (e.g., those with diabetes, hypertension, and a family history of kidney disease) is crucial for early detection and management.
    • Increased awareness and education about CKD risk factors, symptoms, and prevention can help reduce the burden of the disease.

Some Nephropathy Resources  

 

Research Institutions and Journals

  1. American Society of Nephrology (ASN)

  2. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN)

  3. Kidney International

  4. The Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation (NDT) Journal

Medical and Patient Support Resources

  1. Mayo Clinic – Nephrology

  2. Cleveland Clinic – Kidney Medicine

  3. DaVita Kidney Care

    • Category: Medical and Patient Support Resources
    • Website: davita.com

  4. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

    • Category: Medical and Patient Support Resources
    • Website: niddk.nih.gov

  5. Kidney Foundation of Canada

    • Category: Medical and Patient Support Resources
    • Website: kidney.ca

French-Specific Resources

  1. FNAIR – Fédération Nationale d’Aide aux Insuffisants Rénaux

  2. Fondation du Rein

  3. Association France Rein

  4. Société Francophone de Néphrologie, Dialyse et Transplantation (SFNDT)

    • Category: French-Specific Resources
    • Website: sfndt.org

Educational and Information Portals

  1. National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP)

  2. Kidney Health Australia

    • Category: Educational and Information Portals
    • Website: kidney.org.au

  3. Kidney School

  4. Renal Support Network (RSN)

    • Category: Educational and Information Portals
    • Website: rsnhope.org

  5. UK Kidney Association (UKKA)

    • Category: Educational and Information Portals
    • Website: ukkidney.org

  6. Renal Support Network Facebook Group

  7. Reddit – r/kidneydisease

  8. Nephrology News & Issues

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