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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What causes kidney stones?
There are lots of causes of kidney stones, and when we look at patients with stones, we can figure out a cause, and therefore a specific treatment, in more than half of them. READ MORE
There are lots of causes of kidney stones, and when we look at patients with stones, we can figure out a cause, and therefore a specific treatment, in more than half of them. For the remainder, we can try some combinations of medications and decrease the frequency.
For all patients with kidney stones, the most important think to to drink lots of fluid, so that crystals don't form and start to make more stones. Urine should always be clear or light yellow.
For all patients with kidney stones, the most important think to to drink lots of fluid, so that crystals don't form and start to make more stones. Urine should always be clear or light yellow.
Can people live a normal life with just one kidney?
About one in 1000 people have only one kidney and do fine. People can donate a kidney to another person, and do well--but we also evaluate those potential donors in detail. Sometimes READ MORE
About one in 1000 people have only one kidney and do fine. People can donate a kidney to another person, and do well--but we also evaluate those potential donors in detail. Sometimes a person does not really have a choice about losing a diseased kidney. The real answer is how well the other kidney is functioning.
Can kidney stones cause a urinary tract infection?
It may be an infection, but perhaps the kidney stones have made it to your bladder, and are trying to pass through into the toilet! They are pretty spiky, not round and easy to READ MORE
It may be an infection, but perhaps the kidney stones have made it to your bladder, and are trying to pass through into the toilet! They are pretty spiky, not round and easy to get through narrow places. You probably should be tested to see in infection is present, and to see if the stones are still in your kidneys, or moved.
Can kidney stones affect bowel movements?
That would be possible, but there are so many different causes, of both symptoms. You ought to see your doctor.
Why does my son have kidney pain?
It could be related to his kidneys or to other problems like infections. He should be seen by a doctor.
Is loss of appetite a sign of a kidney disorder?
Maybe, but many other things could cause this... she should talk with her doctor
Can Toradol cause renal failure in a kidney disease patient?
Toradol is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and as such, can cause temporary worsening acutely, or on a chronic basis, can cause worsening that is longer lasting.
How long can a person survive on dialysis?
It is a challenge to adjust to dialysis for many people, and especially at your age. I hope that you are on the transplant list --if not, push and push hard--dialysis should only READ MORE
It is a challenge to adjust to dialysis for many people, and especially at your age. I hope that you are on the transplant list --if not, push and push hard--dialysis should only be a bridge to transplant at your age! I personally have seen people on dialysis for 30 years, and sometimes longer.
Really work with your doctor, nurses, and especially the social worker to try to adjust better to what you need to live now, but get on the transplant list if at all possible. You will live longer and better with a transplant!
Really work with your doctor, nurses, and especially the social worker to try to adjust better to what you need to live now, but get on the transplant list if at all possible. You will live longer and better with a transplant!
What's the average lifespan of a kidney transplant?
How long a transplant lasts depends on the original disease, the condition of the patient as they receive it, the age, etc. Currently we see that transplants from living donors READ MORE
How long a transplant lasts depends on the original disease, the condition of the patient as they receive it, the age, etc. Currently we see that transplants from living donors will have about 85-90% function rate at 5 years, and we have a hard time figuring out what the time is for half of them to not be functioning, since the new drugs are so much better, but have only been available in the last 10-20 years. SO much better than in the 1970's and 1980's!!
What could be the cause of blood in urine?
Anything from eating beets (10% of people will pee red after eating beets) to muscle damage to infections to tumors can cause the urine to be reddish in color. You should see READ MORE
Anything from eating beets (10% of people will pee red after eating beets) to muscle damage to infections to tumors can cause the urine to be reddish in color. You should see your doctor.
Symptoms of a kidney infection in a newborn?
The problem really is that newborns can't tell you what they feel. If you think that there is a problem, like crying when passing urine, then the pediatrician needs to know about READ MORE
The problem really is that newborns can't tell you what they feel. If you think that there is a problem, like crying when passing urine, then the pediatrician needs to know about it and test for infection and other problems
What can be the cause of blood in urine?
Lots of reasons for the urine to be red in color, and the answer is to see your doctor for testing.
Can polycystic kidney disease be treated?
This disease may have a treatment now, but it is controversial whether it will really is a breakthrough. I hope that you will be seen by a nephrologist, so that you can learn READ MORE
This disease may have a treatment now, but it is controversial whether it will really is a breakthrough. I hope that you will be seen by a nephrologist, so that you can learn more about the disease. You can also go to the following websites for more information on the disease in general (pkdcure.org, kidney.org). The disease usually is pretty slow toward kidney failure and transplant, but follow up with a nephrologist is very important. Good luck!
Is taking creatine supplements safe?
Most of the evidence is that creatine does not make for stronger muscles or more endurance. They make have an effect on the kidneys, if taken in large doses. They may have other READ MORE
Most of the evidence is that creatine does not make for stronger muscles or more endurance. They make have an effect on the kidneys, if taken in large doses. They may have other side effects also. Remember, there is minimal testing of these nutritional supplements, as they are not classed as drugs and not under the FDA regulation. And the people selling them are interested in selling them!
Moderation at most!
Moderation at most!
Are creatine supplements safe?
We are not really sure that protein supplements and creatine supplements are completely safe, especially the protein supplements. The reason is that the extra protein (and potentially READ MORE
We are not really sure that protein supplements and creatine supplements are completely safe, especially the protein supplements. The reason is that the extra protein (and potentially also the creatine also) may force the kidneys to work harder than they should, resulting in kidney damage. The question is hard to answer, however. My recommendation is to do everything in moderation, and to go to the gym as the main way to get the kind of body that you would like.
Do I need to go to the doctor when there is blood in my urine?
Yes, you should see the doctor, since we don't know if this is really blood or a medication, or eating beets. You need to know what is really going on!
Are there any supplements that will strengthen my mom's kidney function?
None will make a difference, and they might cause side effects.
How to treat my son's UTI's?
In children, frequent urinary infections are symptoms of really important problems with the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. He should be seen by a pediatrician and probably by READ MORE
In children, frequent urinary infections are symptoms of really important problems with the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. He should be seen by a pediatrician and probably by a urologist. Soon.
