Dr. James Cain
Nephrology and Dialysis
Roanoke, VA
38 years experience male
Locations
Valley Nephrology Associates
Roanoke, VA
Phone
Practice website
About
Bio
Old Dominion University MT (ASCP) 1980
Eastern Virginia Medical School 1985
EVMS Graduate School of Medicine (Internal Medicine) 1988
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Virginia (Nephrology) 1992
Valley Nephrology Assocites, Roanoke Virigina 1995-present
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Nephrology and Dialysis
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
280 Answers
77 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 28-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
High blood pressure: This test detects a tumor called a pheochromacytoma. It is very uncommon and usually suspected in pqtients with uncontrolled hypertension.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Concentration loss: The kidney loses concentrating ability also, so that at a certain stage of renal failure polyluria can be the main complaint. Usually at night. (noctu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Possibly: Usually the systemic illness that causes kidney failure makes pregnancy difficult and possibly dangerous. Pregnancy is not impossible, and successful ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 61-year-old male asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Probably not: the presence of the antibody indicates an exposure to the antigen (the virus) . the absence of the virus indicates that the virus has been eradicated.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
860 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Proper medication: Minimal change (or nil) disease. Correctly diagnosed by biopsy but frequently diagnosed by the symptoms of proteinuria, edema and intact renal functi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Fluid drug hormone: Fluid overload will lead to increased urination, diuretics (there are many) also.
Lask of anti diuretic hormone (ADH) is diabetes insipidus, which... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Low muscle mass: Serum creatinine is a waste product of muscle metabolism. Large muscle mass people have larger creatinine, small muscle mass (women, the elderly) folk... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
None: If you have abnormally high urine production then thirst is expected and life preserving. You need evaluation by your physician to guide the investiga... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
No: Cardiac arrest is not especially associated with sodium disorders.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Yes, with caution: The real question is "is it safe to not take minoxidil" which is a powerful anti hypertensive agent. The drug can cause low pressure, edema, pericardi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Weight and money: Obesity hinders the accurate assessment of renal function as the estimate of renal function is based on normal weight and muscle mass, obesity obscur... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Circular question: Excessive implies that the damage has occurred.
Coffee and water in normal amounts have no ill effect on renal function. Avid coffee drinkers are ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
No: if you think that you have an STD please see someone about that. It is different from a urinary tract infection although they are in the same general ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Sort of: The neuropathy does not cause heart disease, but the conditions that cause neuropathy also cause heart, renal and vascular disease.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Gynecologic exam: This does not sound normal, please review with an expert to find out what is causing this.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Could be irritation: This could be something serious. Please see your doctor and describe these symptoms.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Hard to know: The fastest source is a donated kidney, awaiting a cadaveric kidney could be short or very long depending upon your blood type and the availability of... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Many: There are many causes there fore many treatments. Relief of mechanical obstructioin, control of blood pressure, immunsuppressants, control of diabetes... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Depends : Some things such as glucose must be tested pretty quick as they are consumed by cells and bacteria in the urine. Cells deteriorate quickly, bacteria m... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
No: If this was a clean specimen then this could mean a urinary tract infection.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Yes: You should drink if you are thirsty and not force lots of water. Excess water can cause low sodium, swelling and be very dangerous.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old male asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Volume: Before correcting na the volume loss needs to be addressed, but a strong practical case can be made to use 1/2 or 1/4 ns to correct both.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Sure: It is ok to want things, it is not ok to break laws and risk your future and health getting them. You have a choice, resist the pressure and say no . ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
A long time: Cirrhosis of severe degree is fatal, and usually sooner than later, but everyone and their disease is different. Talk to your doctor for individualiz... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Could be: New onset cramping could be from a change in exercise routine (fatique) or a medication. Hydrochlorothiazide is commonly associated with this. Fluid a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Probably: You will need to take your vitamin d and calcium supplement regularly and have a neck dressing.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
CHF, K, H, drugs: Reasons for emergent dialysis include untreatable fluid overload, hyperkalemia (hi potassium, k+), acidosis, and dialyzable toxicities. (lithium, alc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 51-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
No: No contraindications to this drug with reflux.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Thirst, confusion: The result of excess salt with inadequate water will be hypernatremia and low intravasculare volume. This will cause extreme thirst, mental status cha... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
To make money: The insurance company needs to know what risks they are assuming when they insure you. Laboratory tests can help them determine if you have diabetes, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Many signs, symptoms: Some patients are surprised to have kidney disease and have few symptoms. Symptoms that are classic include foamy urine, insomnia, itching (pruritus)... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
See your doctor: You get wet hands when you squeeze your legs with your hands. This is either perspiration, which is harmless, or edema which is serious. Usually thoug... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Lack of water: The risk of dehydration goes up with exposure to hot and dry conditions which enhance perspiration to keep the body cool. This leads to water loss. Ex... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
About the same: These medications are about equivalent although the makers of Moexipril claim better tissue penetration. Drugs in this class of angiotensin converting... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Hepatitis: See your doctor for a complete explanation. Bilirubin rises with over production (hemolytic problems) or failure to conjugate and/or excrete (liver p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
There are none: Hypertension (high blood pressure) typically has no symptoms. This is one of the things that makes it hard to treat. We treat hypertension to prevent ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Lack of water: The risk of dehydration goes up with exposure to hot and dry conditions which enhance perspiration to keep the body cool. This leads to water loss. Ex... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Death: Water is essential to health and life. Severe water depletion will lead to low pressure, kidney failure, and eventual death.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
SIADH: Normovolemic hyponatremia, usually SIADH will cause this.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Both: The show does not reflect the reality of doctors lives. We are much funnier, and more interesting than that.
In addition we actually solve proble... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Possible drug reacti: See if mom was started recently on ace inhibitors, they can cause a dry cough.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Photosensitivity: Some hypertensive medictions can cause a reaction with sunlight leading to a burn like rash. This is more common with hctz (hydrochlorothiazide) and f... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old male asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Casts?: a urine microscopic examination is important here, Casts could be "worm like" particles. In an earlier era, urine specimens left at room temperature f... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
888 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Yes: High potassium, (hyperkalemia) causes the heart to slow dangerously and will eventually cause ventricular dysrhythmia. The heart just stops.
This ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Tough decision: Hospice therapy centers upon comfort care. Dialysis is life sustaining. Usually the decision to stop dialysis and start hospice go together. One could... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old male asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Spinach and beans: Building muscles requires iron (spinache) and protein (beans). Also needed is sugar for energy to lift those weights. In general a well balanced diet ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Surgery: Blood loss, inadequate volume resuscitation, excess diuretics, poor PO in take. Any thing that removes fluid from the body or reduces renal blood flow... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Complex cyst: a cyst with internal septations or walls, this type of cyst is more lkely to be malignant, you need to see a urologist for a plan
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Sure : The cost of and incovenience of monitoring blood sugar in non diabetics would argue against its routine use.
It is certainly not illegal, simply ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. James Cainanswered
Nephrology and Dialysis 38 years experience
Yes: High fructose corn syrup is sugar with the same effects and calories of sucrose (table sugar) it is included in many processed foods.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
3
Recommendations
488
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Jan 1, 2014
You have been extremely helpful! And detailed . Thank you for taking the time and the promptness.
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Cain is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Cain is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! One leg-lower calf & ankle has been swollen for about 6 months with pitting edema. I've asked all my doctors about this. Not one of the 7 can give me an answer. My Natur...Read More
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful! This issue comes this month after getting brgnet this is my third time I used as doctors said that I have stone but getting bigger scares me
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thank you for the list of true symptoms of heat illness. I thought I was going to end up in the ER
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Eastern Virginia Medical School, VA,
Graduated 1985MD
Awards
FACP
Fellow of American Society of Nephrology (FASN)
Top Doctor, First Place, Roanoke Region, VA - Summer
2013
Publications
Point of Care Medicine McGraw Hill
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