Kidney Friends

There is no cure for kidney disease,
and a recent survey shows Canadians don’t know. So now what?

Audio

Quote:Care About Your Kidneys – Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is decreased kidney function for three months or more.

End-stage renal disease refers to the end of kidney function (kidneys work at less than 15 per cent of what is considered normal).Without properly functioning kidneys, you could die.

The kidney plays a central role in the human body and is as important to your health as your heart, liver or lungs. Many of the body’s organs depend on the kidneys to work properly. The kidneys’ main functions are to remove waste products and regulate water in the blood, help control blood pressure, and produce hormones to promote strong, healthy bones.

Pervasive & Persistent – Kidney disease can strike anyone at any age. Two million
Canadians are living with kidney disease, or are at risk. Every day, 14 Canadians
learn that their kidneys are failing.

Core Causes – The two most common and preventable causes of end-stage kidney
disease are diabetes and high blood pressure, but kidney disease can also be
caused by an inherited disease such as polycystic kidney disease, infection, or by
trauma.

The two most common and preventable causes of end-stage kidney
disease are diabetes and high blood pressure, but kidney disease can also be
caused by an inherited disease such as polycystic kidney disease, infection, or by
trauma.

Serious Stages – Kidney disease is divided into five stages. Stage 5 is known as
end-stage renal disease at that point, patients need dialysis or kidney transplants
to stay alive.
Stage 1: Slight kidney damage
Stage 2: Mild decrease in kidney function
Stage 3: Moderate decrease in kidney function
Stage 4: Severe decrease in kidney function
Stage 5: End-stage renal disease

Detecting Disease – Kidney disease is difficult to detect because there are few
symptoms. Age and gender, along with a simple blood test, can determine valuable
information about one’s kidney function.

Individuals at risk include:

Those who suffer from diabetes or hypertension
People over the age of 55
Certain ethnic groups such as First Nations, Hispanic, African
American, Asian and Pacific Islanders

Strong and Silent – Chronic kidney disease is considered a silent disease. As many
as 600,000 Canadians may be at risk and not know it.

Signs of the disease can include:

Fatigue and weakness
Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting
Dizziness and trouble concentrating
Headaches, numbness in hands and feet
Frequent urination, especially at night

Renal Replacement Treatment – The main treatments for end-stage kidney
disease include dialysis or kidney transplants.

Dialysis treatments replace some of the lost function of kidneys and must be
continued throughout one’s life. There are two types of dialysis: hemodialysis,
which cleans the blood through an artificial kidney hooked up to a machine,
and peritoneal dialysis, which removes waste products and excess water but
cleans the blood inside your body using your peritoneal (abdominal) cavity as
a filter.

Each year, more than $2 billion is spent on dialysis in Canada.
With advances in kidney transplant methods and improvements in transplant
success, a kidney transplant is now widely considered to be the best way of
treating end-stage renal disease for many people. But it is not suitable for
everyone, and is not a permanent solution. A successful kidney transplant will
typically last between 10 – 20 years. Kidney transplants can come from living
or deceased people.

More than 3,000 Canadians are on a wait list for kidney transplants.

Coping with Kidney Disease – Chronic kidney disease can be devastating if left
undiagnosed or untreated leading to an illness with no cure. That’s why prevention
and early detection are key.

Steps can be taken to promote kidney health, such as:

Controlling diabetes and hypertension
Maintaining a healthy diet and weight
Exercising regularly
Living smoke-free

Visit http://www.kidney.ca to learn more about why kidneys are important, the value of
organ donation, and what programs and support are available for people living with
kidney disease and those at risk.