Innovative Renal Care Nephrology Centers of America Grovetown

09/04/2026

More than 500,000 Americans live with ADPKD, the more common form of polycystic kidney disease, or PKD, according to the PKD Foundation. PKD is a chronic, genetic disease that causes fluid-filled cysts to develop and grow in the kidneys without control, destroying healthy tissue in the process. Over time, this can lead to high blood pressure and often kidney failure.
September 4 is PKD Awareness Day. The PKD Foundation recognizes it each year to spread the word about PKD and invite people to raise their voice. You can take part by learning more about PKD and sharing reliable information with the people in your life.
Talk with your care team about how PKD may relate to your own kidney health. Learn more about PKD Awareness Day from the PKD Foundation: https://pkdcure.org/get-involved/awarenessday/

09/01/2026

Feeling strong and staying active starts with small choices you make today!

The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Public Health says preventing disease and promoting health across your whole life is the key to staying healthy.

September is Healthy Aging Month, a good time to revisit the basics. Safe movement and good nutrition are two easy places to begin. Regular checkups help catch small issues before they become bigger ones. Staying connected with people you love and finding ways to manage stress round out the picture.

Talk with your care team about which of these fits best into your routine right now. Explore healthy aging resources and tips from the ODPHP:
https://odphp.health.gov/our-work/national-health-initiatives/healthy-aging

08/29/2026

Still hoping to fit in one more trip before summer ends? Travel and dialysis can work well together with the right planning, and your Innovative Renal Care team is here to help. Reach out now and our experts can work on locating a dialysis center near your destination and coordinating your care before you leave. The sooner you start, the smoother the process goes.
Two things worth packing. Bring a summary of your dialysis treatment that includes your prescription, your treatment schedule, and any specific medical needs. Also bring enough of your prescribed medications for the whole trip, plus a few extra days' worth.
Talk with your care team about your travel plans. Our summer guide has you covered along with sun safety and tips to manage fluid in the heat:

Your Summer Dialysis Guide Summer brings sun, travel, and heat — all of which take extra planning when you're on dialysis. Here's what to know to stay safe and on track this season. Sun Safety for Dialysis Patients That summer sun feels pretty amazing. A little preparation can help keep it that wa...

08/27/2026

A deep partial lunar eclipse will cross the sky starting this evening and continuing into early Friday morning. The soft reddish orange glow will be visible across North America, and it's expected to be the best lunar eclipse we see until New Year's Eve 2028.
Step outside sometime later this evening, and give your eyes a few minutes to adjust to the dark sky.
Be sure to bundle up for the night air, and talk with your care team before changing your evening routine, especially on a treatment day.
Read the full skywatching guide from Space.com, including exact viewing times for your area:
https://www.space.com/stargazing/lunar-eclipses/august-2026-lunar-eclipse-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-96-percent-blood-moon

A deep partial lunar eclipse on August 27-28, 2026, will be visible in North America and will be the best lunar eclipse anywhere on Earth until New Year's Eve 2028.

08/26/2026

The American Heart Association says time with a furry little companion can help lower stress and lift your mood. It can even boost your heart health. Pets also get you up and moving, and those adorable faces are excellent company.
On International Dog Day, a few minutes of ear scratching can do wonders. Remember, your mental wellbeing is also part of your overall health, so always tell your care team about any feelings of stress that stick around for more than a few days. Learn more: https://newsroom.heart.org/local-news/four-ways-pets-can-boost-heart-health

08/24/2026

Over the counter doesn't mean risk free. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, pain relievers like ibuprofen and naproxen can be hard on your kidneys. These medicines are in more products than you might expect, including cold and flu medicines, and they're sold under many brand names. Always check the active ingredients on the Drug Facts label. Ask your nephrologist or pharmacist whether a medicine is safe for you before you start taking it, even if it's over the counter.

Learn how to protect your kidneys while taking blood pressure medicines. Work with your pharmacist, be careful with OTC medicines, and plan ahead for illnesses.

08/20/2026

Your access is your lifeline. The Innovative Renal Care team checks it at least every 30 minutes and makes sure the needles and dressing stay put.

Be sure the site stays in plain view for the whole treatment, because a covered access can hide the early signs of a needle slipping or a small leak.

Blankets are cozy, but they can hide a lot. Keep yours below your access arm. Wear sleeves that leave the site easy to see, and keep your phone and bag away from that area.

Speak up right away if you feel warmth, wetness, pulling, or anything that seems different. Ask your nurse to walk you through what a healthy access looks like at your next treatment.

Click to learn what else you and your care team can do to keep your access safe and healthy:

Your dialysis access, whether it's a fistula, graft, or catheter, is your lifeline. It's the place where your blood leaves and safely returns to your body during treatment. Because blood moves quickly during dialysis, even a small shift in a needle or dressing can become serious if it isn't seen rig...

08/12/2026

About 1 in 5 people on dialysis experience depression. If you've felt sad, anxious, hopeless, or detached for more than two weeks, speak with your care team right away. Mental health conditions are common and treatable. Therapy, medication, or a combination of both may be able to help you feel more like yourself.
Your Innovative Renal Care social worker is a good place to start that conversation. They're there to help you adjust to treatment routines and connect you with community resources so you never have to go through this alone.

Focusing on our mental health is important every day of the year, but October is a time to reinforce our commitment to this essential part of our overall wellbeing.

08/07/2026

A cool, sweet treat on a hot summer day doesn't have to wreck your kidney friendly diet plan.
The Pineapple Fruit Whip from the Innovative Renal Care Cookbook is made with canned pineapple juice, unsweetened applesauce, and a touch of honey. It is fruity, light, and the kind of refreshing dessert you can feel good about enjoying.
Always remember to check with your care team or dietitian before adding new recipes to your routine. Explore this recipe and more are in the IRC Cookbook:
https://innovativerenal.com/patient/health-and-nutrition/nutrition/recipes/

08/03/2026

Cold and flu season is just around the corner. August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and a good time to ask your nephrologist which vaccines are right for you. Vaccines like hepatitis B and the yearly flu shot help protect patients with chronic kidney disease from serious illness. The National Kidney Foundation explains why staying up to date matters when your kidneys are not working at full strength. Bring your questions to your care team and review any changes with them before you decide. Learn more:

Your immune system is your body's defense system. It helps you fight off germs and infections. If you have kidney disease, your immune system may not work as well as it should and you may get sick more easily. Dialysis can make it even more difficult for your immune system to fight infections. Augus...