Dr. Christie Thomas, a nephrologist at the University of Iowa and the Iowa City VA Healthcare System, joins us on this episode to discuss his favorite organ, the kidney, and why Veterans come to need transplants. He discusses with us the functions of the kidney in the body, some of its surprising roles in human health, as well as how and why kidneys fail. Additionally, he shares with us some details about dialysis and the Hepatitis C positive kidney transplant program we highlighted in our previous episode.
In adults, the most common cause of kidney disease in the United States is diabetes and the second most common cause is presumed to be high blood pressure or hypertension. The most common hereditary cause of kidney disease in the United States is polycystic kidney disease which affects between 1 and 500 to 1 and 1,000 people. Overall, about 37 million adults in the United States are estimated to have chronic kidney disease with most being undiagnosed. Blood tests are the most common method for detecting kidney disease by looking at kidney function. Other health consequences of chronic kidney disease include increased occurrence of infections, low red blood cell count, loss of appetite, and depression. Dr. Thomas highlights all this in detail and more.
Dr. Thomas was born and raised in India, having come to the United States at the age of 2 and returning to India at the age of 4. He did his undergraduate studies in India and postgraduate studies in England. He returned to the United States in his early thirties and was drawn to Iowa City, which had the largest public hospital in terms of the number of beds in the country at the time, as well as Iowa City VA Healthcare System, which was known for the strength of its research. Since then, Dr. Thomas has come to love Iowa and working with Veterans who he describes as some of the best patients he’s ever had.
Season 2 Episode 9 – Supporting our active-duty military, Veterans, and first responders: Jim Ravella and the Gary Sinise Foundation
Season 2 Episode 4 – Two candid discussions about drug use disorders: Trever Siver and Henry Uken
Season 2 Episode 8 – Exploring treatment of PTSD, headache, and depression through brain stimulation: Wave Neuro and TMS
Season 2 Episode 6 – The ongoing battle: Josh Marino and Rob Otto share about PTSD, depression, and suicide
Season one in the books!
Extraordinary circumstances: Son donates kidney to father and Jack Jones receives the first Hepatitis C positive kidney
When our blood filtration system goes bad: two Veteran viewpoints on kidney disease
Out of the dark and into the light: Life after successful treatment of post-traumatic headache
An introduction to the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss and an interview with its director Dr. Randy Kardon
A life turned upside down: One Veteran’s story of life after traumatic brain injury.
An introduction to the Vets First Podcast
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
City Manager Unfiltered
Potencial Americano
The ASIC Podcast
The Chris Plante Show
Strict Scrutiny