Got questions? We've got answers.
Q: Should I be checked for kidney disease?
A: Yes, especially if you are at-risk for chronic kidney disease. Diabetes and high blood pressure can damage the kidneys and lead to kidney disease. In addition, diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney disease.
Q: Are there any signs or symptoms for kidney disease?
A: No, the only way to know if you have kidney disease is to get checked for it.
Q: Will kidney disease just go away?
A: No, it may get worse over time and can lead to kidney failure. If your kidneys fail, you may need to go on dialysis or have a kidney transplant to maintain health.
Q: Can kidney disease be treated?
You have two kidneys located near the middle of your back, just under your ribcage. There main job is to filter wastes and extra water from the blood to make urine. Wastes can build up in the body when the kidneys are damaged. In addition, diabetes and high blood pressure are not the only risk factors for kidney disease. You also should be checked if you have: cardiovascular (heart) disease, or a mother, father, sister, or brother with kidney failure.
Q: How will I be checked for kidney disease?
Two tests are used to check for kidney disease. A blood test checks your GFR, which tells how your kidneys are filtering. GFR stands for glomerular (gloh-MAIR- yoo-lar) filtration rate. The other test used is a Urine test which checks for Albumin in your urine. Albumin is a protein that can pass into the urine when the kidneys are damaged.
Q: What steps can I take to keep my kidneys healthy?
A: If you have diabetes, manage your diabetes, and keep your blood pressure at the level set by your health care provider. That means eating healthy and cutting back on salt. It also means being active and taking medicines as prescribed. In addition, get checked for kidney disease. The sooner you know you have kidney disease; the sooner it can be treated.
