Main Street News

It’s important to take care of ourselves from top to bottom and inside out. That translates to regular doctor visits, a healthy diet, exercise, and, as necessary, lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and minimizing alcohol intake. Wait, there’s more. 

Beyond all the other occasions and events occurring in March – from St. Patrick’s Day to the arrival of spring – March also marks National Kidney Month, Brain Injury Awareness Month, and Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month. 

Several doctors from the community have pitched in to share their expertise and provide a brief education on their respective specialties, so read on to become more knowledgeable about your own health. 

National Kidney Month

Let’s recap why the kidneys are so important to our health. Our kidneys not only filter all our blood, but they also regulate our blood pressure and stimulate growth of our red blood cells. 

Chronic kidney disease occurs when the kidneys become damaged. Over time, they may not clean the blood as effectively. When kidneys are damaged and not working effectively, toxic waste and extra fluid accumulate and may lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and early death.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one in seven adults in the United States (about 35.5 million people) are estimated to have CKD. As many as nine in ten adults with the disease do not know that they have it; and about one in three adults with severe CKD are unaware that they have it. 

Thanks to National Kidney Month, health care providers have an opportunity to generate awareness about kidney health, risk factors for disease, and the importance of early detection. 

“Kidney disease often develops silently, so awareness is critical. When kidney disease is detected early, it can sometimes be reversible, and in many cases its progression can be halted or significantly slowed with appropriate management,” said Vinny Anand, MD, Nephrology, Albany Med Health System.

Diabetes, high blood pressure, and long-term use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are the most common causes of kidney failure. Certain populations are at higher risk, as mentioned those with diabetes or hypertension. They should be closely monitored. 

Symptoms include early fatigue, swelling in the legs, and changes in urine such as decreased output or foamy urine, which can indicate protein leakage.

As with any health issue, early detection is key. Prevention focuses on effective control of diabetes and blood pressure and avoiding unnecessary use of pain medications, especially NSAIDs. 

Regularly scheduled visits with a primary care physician can help people manage care. Routine blood tests can help monitor kidney function, and urine testing can identify protein leakage, which may be an early sign of kidney disease. Patients with diabetes or high blood pressure should insist on regular blood and urine testing as part of their routine care.

“Much of our kidney education takes place directly in the office setting and within the dialysis unit, where patients receive ongoing education about kidney function, prevention strategies, and treatment options,” said Dr. Anand.

As for treatment options, Albany Med Health System offers comprehensive care, including ongoing management, patient education, and dialysis services when needed. Treatment plans are individualized based on the stage of disease and the patient’s overall health, with a strong emphasis on slowing disease progression and maintaining quality of life.

Brain Injury Awareness Month

This annual March campaign, led by the Brain Injury Association of America, aims to educate the public about traumatic brain injuries, which are also known as TBIs. 

“A TBI is a disruption in brain function caused by a blow, jolt, or piercing to the head, ranging from mild concussion to severe, life-altering trauma. Common causes are falls with a head strike, sports impacts, and motor vehicle crashes,” said Tom Moran, MA, EMT, CPSTI-STAC, CRASE Instructor, Trauma Education, Injury Prevention and Outreach Coordinator, Albany Med Health System.

According to the CDC, there were approximately 214,110 TBI-related hospitalizations in 2020 and 69,473 TBI-related deaths in 2021. Beyond prevention and treatment, Brain Injury Awareness Month educates about the long-term impacts of injuries caused by falls, sports, and violence. Part of its mission is to also reduce stigma and support those affected by TBIs. 

“TBIs can cause immediate or delayed physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms, and are a leading cause of death and disability. TBIs may be missed, especially in older adults who may be on an anti-coagulant such as warfarin (Coumadin) and do not seek a medical assessment immediately after a fall and head strike. On the other end of the spectrum, undiagnosed TBIs in children can have long-term developmental impacts,” said Moran. 

The three most common populations impacted by TBIs are children ages 0-4, teenagers/young adults 15-24, and older adults aged 65 and above. According to Moran, those 65 and above have the highest rates of TBI-related hospitalizations and deaths. These are primarily due to falls. Children and young adults are also at high risk due to falls, sports, and motor vehicle crashes (for teens). 

As a trauma education, injury prevention, and outreach coordinator, Moran is pitching in to kickstart this campaign. The Albany Med Health System Injury Prevention Outreach Team communicates with and educates the public through numerous outreach events such as community health event booths, bike and snowboard helmet fittings, and injury prevention education on ATV and snowmobile operation and proper helmet use. “We also have several free outreach programs focused on preventing events that would lead to a TBI – one on teen drivers and another on adult fall prevention,” said Moran. 

A bit of awareness can go a long way. People can prevent TBIs by focusing while driving, avoiding distractions, wearing seatbelts, and using appropriate child-safety seats. Moran advises the public to protect their heads by properly wearing the appropriate safety helmet for each activity (ski helmet for skiing, bike helmet for biking) and performing activities as responsibly as possible.

To prevent falls, Moran advises people to remove all tripping hazards at home, work, and beyond; ensure that all walkways are well lit; and treat outdoor surfaces for snow and ice. Also be sure to use the appropriate safety devices such as gates at the top and bottom of stairs.

Finally, if symptoms include severe headache, vomiting, confusion, slurred speech, or loss of consciousness, seek immediate medical attention. 

Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month

Finally, it’s time to address Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month. Also known as “MS,” this disease affects approximately one million people nationwide. More common in women than men, it has an approximate ratio of 3:1. 

Not just this month, but throughout the year, the Albany Med Health System helps spread awareness for programs and events that are sponsored by many organizations, including the National MS Society and the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. It also encourages community members to don orange this month; it’s the official color for Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month.

“The pathophysiology of MS involves both genetic and environmental factors that lead to an immune system attack on the central nervous system which includes the brain, spinal cord, and optic (vision) nerves,” said Stanley Penc, MD, PhD, Albany Medical Center, Neurology. 

Certain genetic risk factors play a role and may help explain the higher incidence in certain populations. It is also known that various environmental factors are involved and may help explain some of the geographic variations. 

“For example, some studies suggest the further north in latitude from the equator, the higher the incidence. Although not conclusive, there is some speculation that perhaps differences in sunlight and vitamin D exposure are involved,” said Dr. Penc. 

Symptoms may include weakness or abnormal sensations on one side of the body, vision changes, difficulty with walking and balance, and bowel or bladder dysfunction. Versus the general population, there is also a higher association with cognitive difficulty, depression, and headaches. 

“This is a very small sample of the possible symptoms that an individual with MS may experience, and fortunately with the highly effective disease modifying therapies now available, the likelihood of experiencing such attacks and associated symptoms is significantly lower than just 15 to 20 years ago,” added Dr. Penc. 

Fortunately, over the last 15 years, there has been an incredible increase in the number of medications that are now FDA approved.

The Albany Med Health System has highly qualified neurologists experienced with using these DMTs. They state that their health system is uniquely capable of providing multispecialty treatment for multiple sclerosis. For example, in addition to neurologists, their health system has infusion centers for administering medications that are given intravenously comprehensive physical and occupational therapy programs; and various medical specialties including rehabilitation physicians, urologists, and mental health specialists, to name just a few.