About Kidney Disease
Your kidneys are highly efficient, silent little workers that never take a break. When the kidneys start to fail, healthy kidney tissue automatically takes over to pick up the slack. Because of this, often times there are no symptoms of kidney failure until the kidney function falls below 20%.... Dialysis is indicated at levels below 15%. Therefore, many people are unaware they even have kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is very common. It affects 1 in 9 people, and 1 in 3 is at risk. In the United States, the most common cause of kidney disease is diabetes, accounting for 45% of patients on dialysis. Second to diabetes is hypertension, accounting for another 30% of patients on dialysis. Other risk factors for kidney disease include obesity, family history of kidney disease, Native American and African American race, and age greater than 60. If you are affected by any of these traits, you should be tested for chronic kidney disease.
Symptoms of Kidney Disease
Reduced Urine Output
Fatigue
Nausea
Swelling in the Feet
Shortness of Breath
Tiredness
Poor Sleep
Poor Appetite
Unexplained Itchiness
Puffiness of Face + Eyes
Understanding
Kidney Disease
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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is closely linked to two common conditions: 1 in 3 adults with diabetes has CKD, and 1 in 5 adults with high blood pressure has CKD.
The risk of kidney failure increases after five years with these conditions, and more commonly after ten or more years. Once scarring occurs in the kidneys, it is irreversible, but steps can be taken to slow progression and delay or prevent the need for dialysis or a transplant.
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If you have had diabetes or high blood pressure for more than five years, you should be tested once or twice a year for CKD. Testing is easy and affordable, involving a simple blood test and a urine test. The earlier CKD is detected, the better the outcome.
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Blood test (eGFR): One of the kidneys' jobs is to filter waste from the blood. A waste product called creatinine is measured. When creatinine levels rise, it can mean the kidneys are struggling. Using your creatinine level, age, and sex, doctors calculate an estimated kidney function percentage (eGFR). An eGFR below 60% may indicate CKD.
Urine test: The urine is checked for protein, which can be one of the first signs of kidney disease.
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When kidneys fail, the two main treatment options are dialysis and kidney transplantation. Dialysis is a treatment that removes waste products and excess fluid from the body when the kidneys can no longer do so. Your doctor can help you determine which option is best for your situation.
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For many people, a kidney transplant offers a more normal life expectancy and quality of life compared to dialysis. However, there are currently over 120,000 people on the transplant waiting list in the US. Due to a significant shortage of donors, fewer than 20,000 transplants are performed each year, meaning the average wait is five to six years.
The average cost of transplantation in the first year is around $250,000, but from year two or three onward, it becomes more economical than ongoing dialysis. Many transplant recipients are able to return to work and resume normal daily life.
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More than 475,000 people in the United States are currently on dialysis. The average cost is around $70,000 per patient per year for treatments alone. Many patients also take more than a dozen medications daily.
In rural areas, the average dialysis patient travels about 140 miles per week just to attend treatments. The demanding schedule of dialysis often makes it difficult for patients to maintain a regular work schedule.