Some Facts About Chronic Kidney Disease

I thought it might be helpful to post some facts about chronic kidney disease. If left untreated, this will lead to end stage renal failure. To live with end stage renal failure requires either dialysis for life or transplant.
I urge everyone to be checked for kidney disease. It only requires a simple blood and urine test. Chronic kidney disease can be treated and is manageable. Don't allow it to proceed to kidney failure. The following facts are courtesy of the National Kidney Foundation.

The Facts About Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
26 million Americans have CKD and another 20 million more are at increased risk.

Early detection can help prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure.

Heart disease is the major cause of death for all people with CKD.

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the best estimate of kidney function.

Hypertension causes CKD and CKD causes hypertension.

Persistent proteinuria means CKD.

High risk groups include those with diabetes, hypertension and family history of kidney disease.
African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans and Seniors are at increased risk.

Three simple tests can detect CKD: blood pressure, urine albumin and serum creatinine.

More than 500 million persons worldwide - 10% of the adult population - have some form of kidney damage, and every year millions die prematurely of cardiovascular diseases linked to CKD.

Globally the most common causes of CKD have been nephrotic or inflammatory diseases of the kidney, infections, obstruction in the urinary tract and inherited disorders like polycystic kidney disease. This is changing in both developed and developing nations towards diabetes and hypertension, which are also the most common causes of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

If you link to the National Kidney Foundation website, www.kidney.org, there is a link for free screening tests. This means there is absolutely no reason not to be tested. It's free!