FB Live – June 18th: In this episode of Ask the Doctor, DPC Education Center’s Healthcare Consultant, Dr. Velma Scantlebury goes Live on Facebook to answer real questions from kidney patients across the country. This month, Dr. Scantlebury covers essential summertime advice, transplant readiness tips, explains the importance of albumin in managing your health, along with many other kidney-related topics.
Hot weather can pose serious risks for dialysis and kidney transplant patients. Dr. Scantlebury discusses how to avoid overheating and maintain safe fluid levels, especially for those on dialysis or diuretics (water pills). She offers practical suggestions like using portable fans, staying indoors, hydrating safely with ice chips or frozen grapes, and recognizing the warning signs your body might be giving you. For anyone managing strict fluid restrictions, these tips can help you stay safe while keeping cool.
Being on the transplant list is only part of the journey—staying ready is just as important. Dr. Scantlebury shares key steps dialysis patients can take to improve their chances for a successful transplant. Maintaining good physical stamina is critical; in some cases, physical therapy may be needed to ensure you’re strong enough to walk shortly after surgery. She also emphasizes the importance of staying up to date with all required medical screenings, including cancer screenings, echocardiograms, and stress tests, and treating any infections right away, since even minor illnesses can delay or disqualify a transplant.
One of the many things checked during these labs and screenings are albumin levels, but what does that really mean? Dr. Scantlebury explains that albumin is a protein in your blood that helps regulate fluid balance. When albumin levels are low, your body can’t properly hold fluid in your bloodstream, which leads to swelling and tissue buildup (edema). She explains how protein intake plays a role in albumin levels and encourages patients to work closely with a nutritionist to improve dietary habits and overall health.
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