
Health topics
Kidney Health
Hometown Health Blog

Preventing kidney stones before they form
Kidney stones are small, hard formations that can cause big trouble. Learn the types and how they form, plus how lifestyle changes and medications can lower your risk.

Preserving kidney function with robotic surgery
A common treatment for kidney cancer is to surgically remove the mass. Learn how robotic surgery can remove kidney cancer with less pain and faster recovery while preserving kidney function.

Kidney stones: Tiny and painful, but treatable
The excruciating pain caused by a kidney stone can occur suddenly. Learn about how they form, personal risk factors and treatment options.

Kidney stone derails Carollyn Gehrke's holiday break
Carollyn Gehrke got more than relief from kidney stone pain after driving hours to Mayo Clinic Health System for treatment. Find out what she left with.

Why Jim Benjamin is grateful for popcorn
Jim found a reason to be grateful in each step of his unexpected path to Mayo Clinic Health System and a better option to recover from kidney cancer surgery. And at the top of his list is popcorn.

Patient reflects on surgical experience during pandemic
Diane Baier needed a last-minute surgical procedure before a planned trip, but then the COVID-19 pandemic changed how health care was delivered. Learn how changes the surgical team made kept her and others safe.

Quick recovery from kidney cancer with ablation therapy
Carol Adams is only half joking when she says she’s had worse root canals than the treatment she underwent recently to kill a cancerous mass on her kidney.

5 nutrition tips for chronic kidney disease
A healthy diet is essential for everyone, but it's vital for people who have chronic kidney disease. Learn about the five things you need to watch for in your diet.

Sepsis diagnosis prompts quick action to save woman’s life
The graduation party for Susan Kohnke’s son was memorable, but not in the way she wanted. Instead of reflecting on day celebrating school successes, she remembers it being the day she developed symptoms of a severe condition that nearly claimed her life.

A perfect match: Wife donates kidney to husband of 43 years
When Ed and Darlene Waters got married 43 years ago, it seemed they were a perfect match. It was only recently, though, that the couple learned just how true that really was.

After nine years on waiting list, Barron woman receives new kidney
A long wait was finally over for a Barron woman when she received word that a donor had come forward that was a match. It was a Christmas gift nine years in the making.

Dialysis is ... fun?
A gift of a T-shirt has lifted the spirits of one dialysis patient — who now inspires others.