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Chronic Kidney Disease a Growing Public

Health Problem
National Kidney Foundation Offers Six–Step Health
Primer, Announces Free Screenings on World Kidney
Day, March 11
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 2010) and World Kidney Day (March
11), 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 maint

healthy bones
• Filter wastes and toxins from the blood
• Release the hormone that dir
• Release a hormone that regulates blood pressure production of red blood cells
 • Keep blood minerals in balan
(sodium, phosphorus, potass
8 Problems CKD Can Cause:

• Weak bones
• Cardiovascular disease
• Nerve damage (neuropathy)
• Heart attack and stroke
• Kidney failure (end-stage ren
• High blood pressure disease, or ESRD)

• Death • Anemia or low red blood cel

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 or diabetes or

high blood pressure
10 Additional Risk Factors:

• African-American heritage • Prolonged use of NSAIDs, a type of

painkillers, such as ibuprofen and naprox
• Native American heritage
• Lupus, other autoimmune disorders
• Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander heritage
• Chronic urinary tract infections
• Age 60 or older
• Kidney stones
• Obesity

• 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:

• Puffy eyes
• Fatigue, weakness
• Swollen face, hands, abdomen, ankles, fe
• Difficult, painful urination
• Increased thirst
• Foamy urine
• Increased need to urinate
• Pink, dark urine (blood in urine)
(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:
Blood Pressure

What: High blood pressure can damage small blood vessels

(glomeruli) in the kidneys. It is the second-leading ca
Why: kidney failure after diabetes.
Good Score: Below 140/90 is good for most people. Below 130/80
better if you have chronic kidney disease. Below 120
best.
What: Protein in Urine
Why: Traces of a type of protein, albumin in urine (albumin
is an early sign of CKD. Persistent amounts of album
Good Score: other proteins in the urine (proteinuria) indicate kidne

What:
Why:
Good Score:
What:
Why:
Good Score:
Step 5: Stay Healthy
6 Things People with CKD Should
Do:
• Lower high blood pressure
• Keep blood-sugar levels
under control if diabetic
9 Things Everyone Should Do:
• Exercise regularly
• Control weight
• Follow a balanced diet
damage.
Less than 30 mg of albumin per gram of urinary crea
(a normal waste product)
Creatinine in Blood (Serum Creatinine)
Healthy kidneys filter creatinine (a waste product fro
muscle activity) out of the blood. When kidney funct
reduced, creatinine levels rise.
0.6 to 1.2 mg per deciliter of blood, depending on oth
variables
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
This is the most sensitive and accurate gauge of kidn
function. Doctors measure blood creatinine levels an
perform a calculation based on age, race, and gender.
Over 90 is good. 60-89 should be monitored. Less th
for 3 months indicates CKD.
• Reduce salt intake • Moderate protein
consumption
• Avoid NSAIDs, a type of
painkillers • Get an annual flu shot
• Monitor cholesterol lev
• Quit smoking
• Get an annual physical
• Drink only in moderation
• Know your family med
• Stay hydrated
history
Step 6: Learn More

• The National Kidney Foundation will offer free kidney screenings through its Kidney Early Evaluat
Program (KEEP) for people at risk for CKD in at least 20 cities across the country on World Kidney
March 11. For locations and schedules, visit www.keeponline.org.

• To learn more about CKD risk factors, prevention and treatment, visit www.kidney.org.
To learn more about chronic kidney disease, risk factors or to find a free KEEP screening
in your area contact the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org or (800)622-
9010.

The National Kidney Foundation would like to thank

the following sponsors for their support of World
Kidney Day activities in the United States.

Sponsors: