National Kidney Foundation Calls Chronic Kidney Disease
Growing Public Health Problem, Offers Six-Step Health Primer
Most Americans know that heart disease and cancer can be silent killers and understand that monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol and having regular mammograms are critical to protecting their health. Too few adults—and not enough doctors—realize, however, that Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is another common, life-threatening illness that often goes undetected until very advanced when it could be diagnosed early through simple tests.
Recent studies report that 26 million Americans suffer from CKD and millions more are at risk. Worse, today’s epidemics of diabetes and obesity could contribute to even higher rates of CKD in the future. Undiagnosed and untreated, CKD can lead to serious health problems including kidney failure (end-stage renal disease). Caught early, it can often be managed, and kidney damage can be slowed or stopped. That’s why early testing for people at risk is so important.
In preparation for National Kidney Month (March 2008) and World Kidney Day (March 13), the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) offers this 6-step primer for protecting health.
Step 1: Know These Facts
6 Things Healthy Kidneys Do:
- Regulate the body’s fluid levels
- Activate Vitamin D to maintain healthy bones
- Filter wastes and toxins from the blood
- Release the hormone that directs production of red blood cells
- Release a hormone that regulates blood pressure
- Keep blood minerals in balance (sodium, phosphorus, potassium)
8 Problems CKD Can Cause:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Weak bones
- Heart attack and stroke
- nerve damage (neuropathy)
- High blood pressure
- Kidney failure (end-stage renal disease, or ESRD)
- Death
- anemia or low red blood cell count
Step 2: Assess Your Risk
4 Main Risk Factors:
- Diabetes (self or family)
- High blood pressure (self or family)
- Cardiovascular disease (self or family)
- Family history of kidney disease
10 Additional Risk Factors:
- African-American heritage
- Prolonged use of NSAIDs, a type of painkillers, such as ibuprofen and naproxen
- Native American heritage
- Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander heritage
- Obesity
- Age 60 or older
- Chronic urinary tract infections
- Lupus, other autoimmune disorders
- Kidney stones
- Low birth weight
Step 3: Recognize Symptoms
Most people with early CKD have no symptoms, which is why early testing is critical. By the time symptoms appear, CKD may be advanced, and symptoms can be misleading. Pay attention to these:
8 Possible Trouble Signs:
- Fatigue, weakness
- Puffy eyes
- Difficult, painful urination
- Swollen face, hands, abdomen, ankles, feet
- Foamy urine
- Increased thirst
- Pink, dark urine (blood in urine)
- Increased need to urinate(especially at night)
Step 4: Get Tested
If you or a loved one belong to a high-risk group, ask your primary-care physician about these tests—and be especially insistent about the last one. Your doctor may want to perform other tests as well.
4 Simple, Life-Saving Tests:
What: |
Blood Pressure |
Why: |
High blood pressure can damage small blood vessels (glomeruli) in the kidneys. It is the second-leading cause of kidney failure after diabetes. |
Good Score: |
Below 140/90 is good for most people. Below 130/80 is better if you have chronic kidney disease. Below 120/80 is best. |
What: |
Protein in Urine |
Why: |
Traces of a type of protein, albumin in urine (albuminuria) is an early sign of CKD. Persistent amounts of albumin and other proteins in the urine (proteinuria) indicate kidney damage. |
Good Score: |
Less than 30 mg of albumin per gram of urinary creatinine (a normal waste product) |
What: |
Creatinine in Blood (Serum Creatinine) |
Why: |
Healthy kidneys filter creatinine (a waste product from muscle activity) out of the blood. When kidney function is reduced, creatinine levels rise. |
Good Score: |
0.6 to 1.2 mg per deciliter of blood, depending on other variables |
What: |
Glomular Filtration Rate (GFR) |
Why: |
This is the most sensitive and accurate gauge of kidney function.Doctors measure blood creatinine levels and perform a calculation based on age, race, and gender. |
Good Score: |
Over 90 is good. 60-89 should be monitored. Less than 60 for 3 months indicates CKD. |
Step 5: Stay Healthy
6 Things People with CKD Should Do:
- Lower high blood pressure
- Reduce salt intake
- Keep blood-sugar levels under control if diabetic
- Avoid NSAIDs, a type of painkillers
- Moderate protein consumption
- Get an annual flu shot
9 Things Everyone Should Do:
- Exercise regularly
- Quit smoking
- Monitor cholesterol levels
- Control weight
- Drink only in moderation
- Get an annual physical
- Follow a balanced diet
- Stay hydrated
- Know your family medical history
Step 6: Learn More
- The National Kidney Foundation will also offer free kidney screenings to people at risk for CKD in a number of cities across the U.S. on World Kidney Day, March 13. For locations and schedules, click here.
The National Kidney Foundation would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of World Kidney Day activities in the United States.
Primary Sponsor:
Other Sponsors:
