Evidence-Based Medical Knowledge You Can Trust
The 2026 Red List: Produce Most Likely to Carry Cyclospora Over 6,700 confirmed and under-investigation cases of cyclosporiasis have struck 34 states this summer. Michigan and Ohio sit right at the epicenter, reporting thousands of infections. The source is Cyclospora cayetanensis. It is a microscopic parasite that hitches a ride on fresh produce contaminated by fecal … Read more
Creatinine, eGFR and uACR provide different but connected information about kidney health. Serum creatinine is a waste product measured in blood. It is used in an equation to estimate glomerular filtration rate, or eGFR. The uACR is a urine test that checks whether albumin is leaking through the kidney filters. In simple terms, eGFR estimates filtration while … Read more
Why Did My eGFR Drop Suddenly? Causes and What to Do Next A sudden drop in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) may happen because of dehydration, acute illness, reduced blood flow to the kidneys, a medication effect, urinary blockage, acute kidney injury, or normal biological and laboratory variation. Because eGFR is calculated mainly from blood creatinine, anything … Read more
A urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) checks whether albumin, a blood protein, is leaking into your urine. In adults, a result below 30 mg/g is classified as A1, 30–299 mg/g as A2, and 300 mg/g or higher as A3. A high result can signal kidney damage, but one abnormal test does not by itself diagnose chronic kidney disease. It usually needs … Read more
Medically Reviewed and Compiled by Dr. Adam N. Khan, MD. Introduction Cyclospora parasite Treatment is the standard medical approach used to cure an intestinal infection caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis. This microscopic parasite spreads mainly through contaminated fresh fruits, vegetables, and water. It causes an illness called cyclosporiasis, which often leads to watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, … Read more
Medically Reviewed and Compiled by Dr. Adam N. Khan, MD. Introduction Cyclospora parasite symptoms usually begin about 2 to 14 days after a person eats or drinks something contaminated with the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. This parasite mainly affects the intestines and causes diarrhea that can last for days or even weeks if it is not … Read more
Updated July 9, 2026 – Reviewed every 90 days Flank pain with fever, vomiting, blood clots, or zero urine for 12 hours = ER now. Always call your own team. Most people point way too low. Your kidneys live higher than you think tucked under your back ribs, not in your low back. Here’s exactly … Read more
Introduction A cyclospora parasite outbreak happens when many people become sick after eating or drinking something contaminated with the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. This microscopic parasite infects the small intestine and causes an illness called cyclosporiasis. Outbreaks in the United States have often been linked to fresh produce such as cilantro, basil, lettuce, raspberries, and bagged … Read more
Maria slid the bottle across my exam table like it held a secret she was almost afraid to name. I’d known her for eleven years—retired music teacher, grandmother of four, baker of a pecan pie so absurdly good it made even the nurses forget their own dietary advice. This Tuesday, though, she wasn’t bringing pie. … Read more
By Dr. Adam N. Khan, MD, FAAFP Medically reviewed by Dr. Adam N. Khan, MD, Infectious Disease Specialist It was a Tuesday morning, and Eleanor Vance sat across from me in exam room 4, looking exhausted and a little lost. She’s 68, a retired librarian, sharp as a tack normally, the kind of person who … Read more
What You Need to Know About Vitamin D and Kidney Disease A Doctor’s Straight Talk Let me tell you about Elena. She sat on the edge of the exam table, one hand rubbing her lower back, the other gripping a coffee she didn’t really want. Sixty-two years old, retired middle-school teacher, a woman who’d spent … Read more
Quick Answer: What is a Renal Diet Plan? Quick Clinical Summary: A renal diet plan is a highly strategic, medically supervised nutrition framework designed to minimize the accumulation of metabolic waste products in the blood when kidney function is impaired. This specialized diet works by precisely matching your intake of sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and protein … Read more
Quick Answer: The early warning signs of kidney disease can be highly subtle and are frequently missed, but the first noticeable signs often manifest as dynamic changes in urination patterns, unexpected swelling (edema) in your feet, ankles, or around your eyes, and persistent, unexplained fatigue. Because chronic kidney disease (CKD) progresses slowly, your body may … Read more
Quick Answer: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is divided into five stages based on how well your organs filter waste from your blood. Doctors measure this using your estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR), which acts like a percentage score for kidney health. Early stages (1 and 2) usually cause zero symptoms and are manageable through simple … Read more
Quick Clinical Answer: The absolute medical choice for kidney stone treatment is directly determined by the stone’s physical diameter measured in millimeters (mm). Stones smaller than 4mm have an 80% to 90% chance of passing naturally through your urinary tract with increased hydration and medical therapy. Stones measuring 5mm to 7mm have a roughly 50% … Read more