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 through simple tests
Recent studies report that 156,000 people in Hawaii suffer from CKD and another 100,000 are at risk for developing it. 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 honor of National Kidney Month (March 2009), the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii offers this 6-step primer for protecting health.
Step 1: Know These Facts
6 Things Healthy Kidneys Do:
8 Problems CKD Can Cause
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- Nerve Damage (neuropathy)
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- Kidney Failure (end-stage renal disease, or ESRD)
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- Anemia or low red blood cell count
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Step 2: Assess Your Risk
4 Main Risk Factors:
- Diabetes (self or family)
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- High Blood Pressure (self or family)
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- Cardiovascular Disease (self or family)
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- Family history of kidney disease or diabetes or high blood pressure
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10 Additional Risk Factors:
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- Pacific Islander Heritage
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- Prolonged use of NSAIDS, a type of painkillers, such as ibuprofen and naproxen
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- African-American, Hispanic, and Native American Heritage
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- Lupus or other autoimmune disorders
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- Chronic urinary tract infections
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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 warning signs:
8 Possible Trouble Signs:
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Swollen face, hands, abdomen, ankles, feet |
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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:
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What: |
Blood Pressure |
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Why: |
High blood pressure can damage small blood vessels (glomeruli) in the kidneys. It is the second leading cause of kidney failue after diabetes |
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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 is an early sign of CKD. Persistent amounts of albumin and other proteins in the urine (proteinuria) indicate kidney damage. |
| Good Score |
Less than 30mg 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 blod, 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:
Step 6: Learn More
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