EXPERT
Dr. Laura Rankin, MD
Nephrology
Dr. Laura Rankin is a nephrologist practicing in Oklahoma City, OK. Dr. Rankin specializes in the care and treatment of the kidneys. As a nephrologist, Dr. Rankin most typically treats conditions like kidney stones, chronic kidney disease, acute renal failure, polycystuc kidney disease, high blood pressure and more. Nephrologists are also experts on kidney transplantation and dialysis. They are usually referred to by primary care physicians for problems related to the kidneys, and while they can perform tests to diagnose kidney disorders, they do not perform surgeries.
51 years
Experience
Dr. Laura Rankin, MD
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Accepting new patients
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Does going under anesthesia damage your urinary system?
Anesthesia does not damage the urinary system, but being very sleepy can make your bladder not work well on a temporary basis. Discuss your concerns with the anesthesia personnel. READ MORE
Anesthesia does not damage the urinary system, but being very sleepy can make your bladder not work well on a temporary basis. Discuss your concerns with the anesthesia personnel.
Do you have to go to the hospital for a kidney stone?
If you can pass it without pain medications, then you don't need to go. However strain your urine to catch the stone--urinate into a container, then if there appears to be a stone READ MORE
If you can pass it without pain medications, then you don't need to go. However strain your urine to catch the stone--urinate into a container, then if there appears to be a stone there, pour the urine through a fine strainer or handkerchief or paper towel--and save it. Make sure that you follow up with your primary physician.
Are UTIs genetic?
They are not genetic usually, but there may be a congenital (present at birth) reason that he has one. He needs to be seen by a urologist to see if there is a problem.
Why does my 8 year old son have hypertension?
It is very uncommon for a person less than 12 years old to have high blood pressure. Therefore your son should be evaluated carefully to find the reason for high blood pressure. READ MORE
It is very uncommon for a person less than 12 years old to have high blood pressure. Therefore your son should be evaluated carefully to find the reason for high blood pressure. Some causes are serious and some are not so much--but the cause should be determined.
How risky is a liver-kidney transplant in children?
Needing a liver-kidney transplant is the serious part of the question. This would not be recommended, I would say, unless his life is in jeopardy without it. Please discuss your READ MORE
Needing a liver-kidney transplant is the serious part of the question. This would not be recommended, I would say, unless his life is in jeopardy without it. Please discuss your concerns with his doctors.
How long can you live on dialysis treatment?
The longest that I have seen someone live on dialysis is 37 years. The factors which are involved are 1) how many things are wrong with you otherwise, 2) how well are you participating READ MORE
The longest that I have seen someone live on dialysis is 37 years. The factors which are involved are 1) how many things are wrong with you otherwise, 2) how well are you participating in your care--watch the fluids, keep the phosphate under great control, ... and 3) have a positive attitude and be interactive with your doctors.
Can you live a normal life with kidney transplant?
This is the best way to treat kidney disease, as the life can be extremely normal, though taking medications.
What causes chronic kidney disease?
Some of the causes are:
-a hereditary kidney disease called polycystic kidney disease
-taking some medications long-term, like analgesics, heartburn medications, lithium
-and READ MORE
Some of the causes are:
-a hereditary kidney disease called polycystic kidney disease
-taking some medications long-term, like analgesics, heartburn medications, lithium
-and some others that are less common
If you have not been referred to a nephrologist, you should ask to be, as the nephrologist can likely tell you why it has occurred, and more importantly how to make it so that the kidneys last as long as possible!
-a hereditary kidney disease called polycystic kidney disease
-taking some medications long-term, like analgesics, heartburn medications, lithium
-and some others that are less common
If you have not been referred to a nephrologist, you should ask to be, as the nephrologist can likely tell you why it has occurred, and more importantly how to make it so that the kidneys last as long as possible!
What is the connection between low hemoglobin and CKD?
The normal kidney makes a hormone called erythropoietin, which "talks" to the bone marrow to make more red blood cells, what we measure with a hemoglobin level. As the kidneys READ MORE
The normal kidney makes a hormone called erythropoietin, which "talks" to the bone marrow to make more red blood cells, what we measure with a hemoglobin level. As the kidneys worsen, less erythropoietin is produced, so anemia ) a low hemoglobin) occurs
What is the best thing to drink for your kidneys?
There is no best thing to drink for the kidneys. There are 4 myths out there, and they are all wrong: Beer is good for the kidneys--just makes you pee more! Cranberry juice is READ MORE
There is no best thing to drink for the kidneys. There are 4 myths out there, and they are all wrong:
Beer is good for the kidneys--just makes you pee more!
Cranberry juice is good--nope, though Ocean Spray would love for you to believe this one.
Coffee, tea, and OMG Coke (brown pop) are bad for the kidneys--not true
6-8 glasses of water per day--good for losing weight, maybe, but "flushing out the kidneys" does not keep them healthy. However if you are out in the heat (aren't we all getting baked this summer!!), please drink enough to stay hydrated.
Beer is good for the kidneys--just makes you pee more!
Cranberry juice is good--nope, though Ocean Spray would love for you to believe this one.
Coffee, tea, and OMG Coke (brown pop) are bad for the kidneys--not true
6-8 glasses of water per day--good for losing weight, maybe, but "flushing out the kidneys" does not keep them healthy. However if you are out in the heat (aren't we all getting baked this summer!!), please drink enough to stay hydrated.
Why is my urine red?
Sometimes it is from eating beets (it's a genetic thing), sometimes from an infection, sometimes a kidney disease, sometimes kidney stones, sometimes things that cause bleeding READ MORE
Sometimes it is from eating beets (it's a genetic thing), sometimes from an infection, sometimes a kidney disease, sometimes kidney stones, sometimes things that cause bleeding from the drainage system. Going to the doctor to find the cause will help the period of terror :)
How difficult is it to get a kidney transplant for kids?
This is very tough on parents, isn't it!! Hopefully one of the parents can be a donor. Sometimes siblings or other relatives, or other friends can be evaluated and are good donors. READ MORE
This is very tough on parents, isn't it!! Hopefully one of the parents can be a donor. Sometimes siblings or other relatives, or other friends can be evaluated and are good donors. Otherwise, he will be on the waiting list for a donor, when someone dies and donates their organs.
Things that affect how long a person is on the waiting list are blood type, age, how long they have been on dialysis, and how well they match with a kidney that becomes available.
The most important thing is to be accepted as a recipient--and be on the national list. I hope that has already occurred, because you can't get a kidney if not on the list!
Good luck and bless you and your family!
Things that affect how long a person is on the waiting list are blood type, age, how long they have been on dialysis, and how well they match with a kidney that becomes available.
The most important thing is to be accepted as a recipient--and be on the national list. I hope that has already occurred, because you can't get a kidney if not on the list!
Good luck and bless you and your family!
Is weak urine flow a sign of a urinary tract infection?
This is less likely to be infection. However, it may indicate problems with an enlarged prostate, damage to the nerves going to the bladder, or several other possibilities. Yes, READ MORE
This is less likely to be infection. However, it may indicate problems with an enlarged prostate, damage to the nerves going to the bladder, or several other possibilities. Yes, see your doctor, and he/she may refer to urology.
About kidney transplant life span
The medications available now are much better than 40 years ago. Sometimes the transplant is lost within the first 2 or three years, but the rate of function at 5 years is now READ MORE
The medications available now are much better than 40 years ago. Sometimes the transplant is lost within the first 2 or three years, but the rate of function at 5 years is now at least 85%. And the life style is so much better than on dialysis.
How is kidney failure handled in a child?
This is so sad! Dialysis provides the removal of waste products so that he can continue to live until a transplant is possible, so yes he will likely need it.
How does diabetes affect the kidneys?
When the diabetes is not controlled, it makes the kidneys work harder, in a situation that is called hyperfiltration. The sign that your doctor saw may well have been some extra READ MORE
When the diabetes is not controlled, it makes the kidneys work harder, in a situation that is called hyperfiltration. The sign that your doctor saw may well have been some extra protein, called albumin, in the urine. This often occurs as the first sign that the kidneys will keep getting worse, and then other signs of kidney disease, loss of kidney function gradually, and progressing to discussions of dialysis and/or kidney transplantation. It would be a shame to end up on dialysis, when looking back you realized that you just needed to get the blood sugars under good control!
Remember also that control of blood pressure, with a goal of close to or maybe better than 120/80, is part of what you should be doing at this time.
Hopefully, you can get the blood sugars and the blood pressures in good control and you will never get to meet a nephrologist!
Remember also that control of blood pressure, with a goal of close to or maybe better than 120/80, is part of what you should be doing at this time.
Hopefully, you can get the blood sugars and the blood pressures in good control and you will never get to meet a nephrologist!
What is urinary hesitancy?
This is where it takes longer than usual to get the bladder to start emptying--usually once a person is ready to go, it takes less than 2 seconds. If you are waiting around, or READ MORE
This is where it takes longer than usual to get the bladder to start emptying--usually once a person is ready to go, it takes less than 2 seconds. If you are waiting around, or if you are needing to sit down to start the stream, you need to see your doctor, and likely get a referral to a urologist.
Can increasing creatinine be reversed?
For many chronic kidney diseases, even with treatment, there is deterioration. However, it may be that evaluation in more detail and changes in treatment will make it better. READ MORE
For many chronic kidney diseases, even with treatment, there is deterioration. However, it may be that evaluation in more detail and changes in treatment will make it better. If she is not being seen by a nephrologist, she may be well served with a referral to one, just to be sure that there is nothing to be changed, or perhaps there is.
Is a late diagnosis normal in kids with chronic kidney failure?
Unfortunately kidney disease often has no symptoms until most of the kidney function has been lost. That can be at any age. I'm sorry for your son's friend, and your son too. READ MORE
Unfortunately kidney disease often has no symptoms until most of the kidney function has been lost. That can be at any age. I'm sorry for your son's friend, and your son too.
My urine report showed some strep. Could it be serious?
The results of the culture were strep. Also what your doctor is looking at is the results of the urinalysis. The combination of those two tests will establish where this is an READ MORE
The results of the culture were strep. Also what your doctor is looking at is the results of the urinalysis. The combination of those two tests will establish where this is an infection that needs to be treated, or what we call contamination, which would not need to be treated.
