1 in 10 adults* has kidney disease. Are you the 1? Know your risk. Take the Risk Quiz
Understanding your kidneys is the first step in taking control of your health. Following a kidney-friendly diet, taking good care of diabetes, hypertension and other health conditions, and not smoking may help your kidneys function better and longer, even when you have kidney disease. Your kidneys two bean-shaped organs located in your lower back play a more important role in your overall health than you may realize. They are your bodys filtration system, cleaning wastes and extra fluids from your body and producing and balancing chemicals that are necessary for your body to function. The more you know about how kidneys work, the less you'll need to ask, "what is kidney disease?" Get the 411 on kidney disease
What is kidney disease? Well, one of the first things to know is that kidney disease comes in stages. Knowing your chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage is important for deciding your treatment. CKD has five stages, ranging from nearly normal kidney function (stage 1) to kidney failure, which requires dialysis or transplant (stage 5). Understanding your stage can help you learn how to take control and slow the progression of your condition. Discover the 5 stages of kidney disease
Get smart about two conditions that could secretly conspire against your kidneys. Diabetes and high blood pressure can work together as silent partners that cause damage to the blood vessels in the kidneys. Early detection, education, keeping blood sugar levels under control, eating healthy and exercising can put these two bad guys in their place while helping you achieve a better quality of life. Learn more about diabetes and hypertension
Could you or someone you care about have chronic kidney disease (CKD)?One in 10adults age 20 or older in the U.S. have CKD, and many others are at risk and dont even know it. Risk factors include:
If you may be at risk for kidney disease, consider scheduling a kidney screening with your primary care physician (PCP) for your next checkup. No cost screenings are offered in some areas as well. To learn more about screenings, you may want to contact The Kidney TRUST, an organization aimed at increasing awareness of kidney disease through public education and testing programs. Get started today
Finding out you have chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the earlier stages of CKD may allow you to take action to slow the progression of kidney disease and prevent kidney failure. By controlling blood pressure, and blood sugar levels for those with diabetes, and making other healthy lifestyle choices, it may be possible to keep kidneys working. Learn how you can help slow the progression of kidney disease.
Kidneys do a lot more than produce urine. These fist-sized, bean-shaped organs have a big responsibility in the body. Find out what they do and how they do their jobs.
Many medical professionals believe that diet plays a role in slowing the progression of kidney disease. Lower protein diets may help the kidneys because they wont have to work so hard. Because healthy kidneys are responsible for eliminating potassium and phosphorus, as kidney function slows, these minerals may need to be reduced in the diet. Find out what to eat when you have kidney disease.
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Kidney Aware - Kidney Disease Education - DaVita