Screening for CKD

Test your knowledge of CKD

1. Your kidneys' only job is to remove wastes and excess fluid from your body.
True     False
2. People with diabetes or high blood pressure have an increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease.
True     False
3. People with chronic kidney disease always have a lot of symptoms.
True     False
4. African Americans have a low risk of developing chronic kidney disease.
True     False
5. Chronic kidney disease can be detected using simple blood and urine tests.
True     False
6. Early detection and treatment can often keep chronic kidney disease from getting worse.
True     False
7. Persistent protein in the urine is an early sign of chronic kidney disease.
True     False
8. The best way to know how your kidneys are working is to know your glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
True     False
9. Anemia and bone disease are common complications of chronic kidney disease.
True     False
10. People with chronic kidney disease have a low risk of developing heart disease.
True     False

Kidney disease risk checklist

Your doctor or clinic should check to see if you have any risk factors for chronic kidney disease. These include:

If you do, you should have 3 simple tests:

  1. Blood pressure measurement
  2. Urine test for protein
  3. Blood test for creatinine, which is used to calculate your GFR, or level of kidney function.

Chronic kidney disease is also more common in African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and American Indians.

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Doug's Screening Story

NKF Portrait: Doug Stewart, diabetic kidney patientA truck driver for nearly 20 years, Doug Stewart spends eight hours a day on the road, seven days a week. Used to relying on his sharp vision and quick reflexes to keep himself and other drivers safe, Doug knew he had to act when he noticed his vision deteriorating. Around the same time, he began experiencing constant pain in his back. When he saw an advertisement for a free Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) screening sponsored by the NKF, Doug decided to get himself checked out.

Medical professionals took Doug's blood pressure and tested his blood and urine. Their findings were shocking. Doug's blood sugar was just under 500, or to quote Doug "off the charts." NKF staff immediately rushed Doug to the emergency room where doctors administered insulin to bring his blood sugar back into the normal range. Doug was sent home a few hours later with strict instructions to see his primary care physician as soon as possible.

"Finding out from the KEEP screening that I was a diabetic has turned my life around," Doug says. "I have completely changed my diet and cut out all fried foods and sweets. I also make sure I exercise and take my insulin regularly." Thanks to his new regimen, Doug has lost a total of 10 pounds and says he feels better and healthier than he has in a long time.

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