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It’s Time to Talk About Kidneys

Updated: Jul 23

Today I attended a British Dietetic Association renal study day for an update and CPD on chronic kidney disease (CKD).

 

The day covered the management of CKD across the pathway, including lifestyle and physical activity recommendations, nutrition, medications, phosphate binders, potassium, dialysis, and the role of specialist (hospital) renal dietitians in supporting people with more advanced kidney disease.

 

When introducing ourselves, I spoke about my interest in kidney health, raising awareness of kidney health and risk factors for declining kidney function, and my work with the BDA Kidney Dietitian Specialist Group’s Early CKD Working Group, which is focused on dietary support for early stage CKD and the prevention of progression of CKD.

 

One comment from the discussions really resonated with me. The tutor for the day acknowledged that there is a genuine gap in care for many people with declining kidney function way before they reach CKD diagnosis and long before the need for specialist renal services. Too often, people receive limited to no support while kidney function is fluctuating or declining, only to find themselves facing more advanced CKD and discussions about dialysis or transplantation later on.

 

That conversation reinforced why this area has become such an important focus of mine.

My background also brings together different perspectives. Before becoming a dietitian and nutritional therapist, I spent many years as a biomedical scientist in cellular pathology, where part of my role included assessing adequacy of glomeruli (the kidney filters of eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) fame!) in native and transplant kidney biopsies, before taking it back to the laboratory for testing. It is rewarding to now combine that laboratory experience with clinical nutrition and dietetics.

 

Another valuable part of the day was an open and constructive discussion a lovely BDA staff member about the language used to describe the different nutrition professions.

 

I highlighted two webpages that I felt contained wording that could be improved. One compares dietitians, nutritionists and nutritional therapists, including one which states nutritional therapists perform acupuncture, which I explained was not an appropriate an inaccurate. The second contained wording that I felt did not convey a respectful tone, and that I felt was unnecessarily divisive between professions.

 

The conversation was extremely positive. It was explained to me that the BDA has been working towards more collaborative and unified language across the nutrition professions, and I was pleased to hear that page with the acupuncture word will be reviewed and that the other appears to be an older page which should have already been removed.

 

Professional discussions like these matter because, ultimately, clear and respectful communication, and a unified, collaborative approach between all the nutrition professions benefits the people seeking nutrition support.

 

A really enjoyable and thought-provoking day, with plenty to reflect on as I continue developing my work in kidney health.

 

The two pages we discussed were:

 

How to find a registered nutrition expert: What's the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?


You Don't Have to Be "Ill Enough" to Focus on Your Health

My most rewarding part of working independently is showing everyone that you don't have to wait until a crisis to take care of yourself. Your everyday quality of life, your energy levels, and your confidence matter.

 

Whether you are navigating a complex health concern, trying to make sense of your recent health results, kidney or histamine health or simply want to feel more like you, you can find a safe, practical space here.

 

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Speak soon. Anna x

 

 
 
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