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Practical Kidney Education Built for You

Andrew Kowalski, MD, FASN There is a particular cruelty in poisons that announce themselves slowly. Like a slow, known, attack that you may see coming on, but cannot do anything about…a cancer of sorts. Unlike the dramatic presentation of acute toxicity; the seizure, the organ failure, the unmistakable collapse. Chronic low-level contamination operates in a register barely perceptible to the patient and often invisible to the clinician. Heavy metals and microplastics are two

A summary and commentary on: Čižman B, Butler EL, Stavas J, et al. A Randomized Clinical Trial of Kidney Autologous Cell Therapy in Diabetic Kidney Disease. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. Published January 2, 2026. doi:10.2215/CJN.0000000969 So if you have not heard, there has been some excitement in the world of kidney disease lately! An article came out in January 2026 discussing a possible and promising use of stem cell therapy to address diabetic kidney disease. Why Are We Excite

An updated version from the last post Andrew Kowalski, MD, FASN CKD remains one of the most underdiagnosed and undertreated conditions in modern medicine, affecting more than one in ten adults worldwide and dramatically increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and premature death . For decades, our therapeutic approach rested on a familiar foundation, The Big 4: Blood pressure control Renin-angiotensin system blockade Glycemic management in those with d

Andrew Kowalski, MD FASN I have been an advocate for exercise among CKD patients for a long time. Fortunately, there have been numerous publications showing significant benefit among CKD patients. From numerous cardiovascular benefits to evidence that it can help lower chronic inflammation and delay CKD progression. I was excited to see another study looking at physical activity and preserving kidney function. The RENIS study from Tromsø, Northern Norway , asked a clinically

Andrew Kowalski, MD, FASN Nephrology has historically centered on the management of advanced CKD, dialysis, and transplantation. It does dabble in other issues, but I would consider these 3 to be the foundation of our speciality. CKD affects nearly 10% of the global population and is a leading contributor to morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Guess what? The numbers are going up and the number of doctors are dropping! So, what do we do now??? Traditionally, calling