Beyond the handouts, there was more information that Cynthia Nichols-Jackson of the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan wanted to share during Wellness Wednesdays at the SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic.
It was her personal story, a unique perspective as both a nurse — and kidney patient.
Forty-years ago, Nichols-Jackson was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease which attacked her kidneys, ultimately leading to two transplants over the years.
“It was a challenge,’’ she said.
As September’s monthly featured speaker, Nichols-Jackson emphasized ways to help prevent kidney disease, including controlling your blood sugar and blood pressure through diet and exercise. She also stressed the need for patients to get an eGFR test (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate), which shows how well your kidneys remove waste from your blood.
“Kidneys are the main regulators of our bodies,’’ she said, adding that diabetes and high blood pressure increases the risk of kidney disease. “Kidneys are needed to help keep the body balanced.’’
Alexis Harvey, who facilitates Wellness Wednesdays’ programming, said stressing the need to drink water, exercise and eating moderate amounts of protein were key takeaways.
“It was important to emphasize the prevention aspect to the group, and she did just that,’’ Harvey said.
The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan will partner with Wellness Wednesdays once again next month (Oct. 15) for a session on healthy eating.
