Learn how to protect yourself from a silent killer

What if I told you that 20 million Americans are dying of a preventable, treatable disease – and don’t even know it? And that another 20 million have a high likelihood of developing the disease in the future – but have no idea of their risk?

According to new research, this is happening right now. But by taking a few simple steps, you can keep from being part of this daunting statistic.
Kidney disease is on the rise – and awareness is the key to prevention and treatment

I’m talking about chronic kidney disease. Scientists tell us that its incidence rate is increasing by nearly two percent each year in the U.S. Kidney disease can remain undetected for years – and then, once symptoms appear, it’s often too late to do much about it. Now the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is launching a campaign to increase the public’s awareness of this often fatal disease and to try to reverse the trend.

The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste out of the blood stream. Over time, kidney disease gradually robs the organs of their filtering ability. By the time symptoms become apparent, you are often left with few treatment options other than dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Luckily, doctors know who is at high risk for kidney disease, and how to detect it at early, more treatable stages. People with diabetes and high blood pressure are at highest risk, as well as people with a family history of kidney disease and the elderly.

If you fall into any of these categories, you should be regularly screened for kidney disease. Unfortunately, many people fall into more than one high-risk category, and therefore see their risk multiply. But in the case of kidney disease, even one applicable risk factor is enough to warrant regular testing.
Steps you can take to protect yourself

There are two early detection tests, and the NKF recommends that those at high risk complete BOTH at least once a year. The first is a simple urine test used to detect high levels of the protein albumin in the urine. The second is a blood test to assess your glomerular filtration rate (GFR), the rate at which the kidneys are able to filter waste from the bloodstream. (A GFR rate below 60 is considered serious, and cause for more frequent screening.)

If these tests indicate any damage, your doctor will likely recommend drugs called angiotensin II receptor blockers which can slow the rate of kidney damage. In later stage disease, research shows these drugs can slow damage by about two years; researchers are hopeful that earlier detection will extend that time. Angiotensin II receptor blockers work somewhat like the blood pressure medications called ACE inhibitors; they help relax the delicate blood vessels in the kidneys to prevent damage.

But there are other steps you can take to slow the progression of kidney disease – and to prevent it from developing in the first place if you are at high risk. Managing blood pressure and blood sugar levels is crucial. A low-protein diet is also recommended to protect the kidneys. (Although kidney stones are not necessarily indicative of kidney disease, remember that the January 17 e-alert told you how new research shows a low-protein, low-salt diet offers better protection against kidney stones than the traditionally recommended low-calcium diet.)

If you fall into even ONE of the high risk groups, make sure to have both the albumin urine test and the GFR blood test performed at least once a year. And talk to your doctor about other steps you can take to prevent kidney disease from developing. Please pass this information on to anyone you know who might be at risk – and may not be aware. As we often say at HSI, knowledge can be the best prevention of all.

Copyright 1997-2002 by Institute of Health Sciences, L.L.C.

Alternative Market