Education is Power!

Wait too long to learn about kidney disease and it may be your silent killer.

Continue reading to find important information about kidney disease symptoms, treatment and prevention, as well as links to additional web sites that provide excellent information for people concerned about kidney disease.

Why Learn About Kidney Disease?

Kidney disease is rampant in Alabama, ranking our state fifth in the nation for occurrence! It is estimated that chronic kidney disease affects more than 11 million Americans. The kidneys are two of your most important organs. They perform vital functions, such as, waste removal, blood filtering and blood pressure regulating. Kidneys can become so damaged by disease or injury that they no longer clean waste products from the blood. This can lead to:

Acute Kidney Failure- a sudden, usually short-term loss of kidney function

End Stage Renal Disease- permanent, irreversible damage to both kidneys

What are the Types and Causes of Kidney Disease?

The two most common causes of kidney disease in Alabama are diabetes and high blood pressure.

Diabetes can damage blood vessels in the kidneys and is one of the primary causes of kidney disease.

To learn more about diabetes, visit the National Diabetes Education Program web site: http://www.ndep.nih.gov/index.htm

High Blood Pressure can cause damage to small arteries in the kidneys over time. A vicious cycle begins - damage to kidneys causes more serious high blood pressure, which damages the kidneys.

Pyelonephritis occurs when infections in other parts of the body can spread to the kidneys. Risk factors include: diabetes, obstructions of the urinary tract, long term use of catheters.

Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of blood vessels in the kidneys, usually caused by strep infections of the skin or throat.

Kidney Stones are hard deposits formed in the kidneys which can block drainage. They may be caused by excess calcium in the urine. Risk factors include: dehydration, heavy use of alcohol, excess Vitamin D, family history of kidney stones.

Nephrotic Syndrome is the result of excess protein in the urine, causing tissues to swell. This is most common in children. In adults, it may be a complication of diabetes, lupus or other illnesses.

Cysts are fluid filled sacs. Having some cysts is harmless, but having polycystic kidney disease may cause the kidney to become abnormally large. This condition is inherited.

Other possible causes of kidney disease include exposure to heavy metals (lead and mercury) or toxic chemicals, heavy use of pain relievers, heavy use of alcohol or drugs, and preeclampsia (a complication of pregnancy).

What are the symptoms and warning signs of kidney disease?

Early detection is the key to preventing serious problems. Many kidney diseases can be successfully treated in early stages.

Warning signs may include:

- high blood pressure (consistently 140/90 or higher)

- blood and/or protein in the urine (bloody or tea colored urine)

- a creatinine blood test result (performed by your doctor) greater than 1.2 for women and 1.4 for men

- difficult, painful or burning urination

- frequent need to urinate, especially at night

- swelling of the face, feet and legs and/or puffiness around the eyes

- pain in your lower back

- family history of high blood pressure or diabetes, or other kidney related problems

If you have one or more of these symptoms, see your doctor right away. A simple lab test of your urine can determine whether these symptoms are due to kidney disease. Your doctor may order the following tests: urinalysis, blood tests, imaging tests, such as X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans and/or kidney biopsy.

How can kidney disease be treated?

Hemodialysis

This is the most common form of kidney replacement, comprising 63% of all patients with kidney failure.

How it Works: The patient's blood is pumped through a tube to an artificial kidney machine. This machine cleans the blood, removes excess fluid and returns the blood to the body through a second tube. During treatment, the patient can read, watch TV, sleep, etc.

How Long it Takes: Treatment is usually done 3 times a week for 3-4 hours at a time. Patients may go to a dialysis center for treatment, or be taught how to perform dialysis at home with the help of a friend or family member.

Peritoneal Dialysis

This treatment comprises 7% of all patients with kidney failure.

How it Works: A solution called dialysate flows through a tube into the peritoneum (the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity). Waste products and excess fluids pass from the blood into the dialysate. The used solution is then removed from the body through a tube - by gravity or by machine.

How Long it Takes: If done by machine, peritoneal dialysis is performed each night. The patient connects the tube to the machine before going to bed and disconnects it in the morning. If done by gravity, the patient usually changes the bag of solution at least 4 times a day. Each exchange takes about half an hour.

Kidney Transplant

Transplants comprise 30% of all patients with kidney failure.

A successful kidney transplant means a patient no longer needs to receive dialysis. Although transplantation is an effective treatment option, it is not a cure. A transplant allows the greatest patient freedom, but available organs are far outweighed by the number of patients on the waiting list. Ten people die each day while waiting for an organ.

Finding a Match: The donated kidney must match the recipient's blood and tissue type. There are two sources for kidney transplants - living related or unrelated donors and people who have agreed to donate their organs after death. Close relatives are best.

Threat of Rejection: The main risk of kidney translant is that the body may attack the new kidney, treating it like a foreign substance. When donors and recipients are well matched, the chances of rejection are lower. Immunosuppressant drugs are used to help prevent kidney rejection.

How can you help prevent kidney disease?

Prevent or treat diabetes and high blood pressure. It has been found that careful control of blood pressure, blood sugar concentration, a low protein diet and weight reduction can significantly slow down or even prevent chronic kidney disease. So maintain a good exercise program, don't smoke, maintain a proper weight, and maintain good control of your blood sugar if you have diabetes.

Do not smoke.

Drink plenty of fluids. This is especially important for preventing kidney stones. Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day.

Eat a well balanced diet. Limit your protein intake and talk to your doctor about any special dietary measures you should take.

Promptly treat bladder and kidney infections.

Treat wounds and infections. Follow your doctor's instructions when treating infections. Try to prevent infections by practicing good hygiene.

If you would like more detailed information on kidney disease, dialysis, transplants, high blood pressure, diabetes, sodium in your diet, and/or cardiovascular risk, please contact the Foundation, (205) 934-2111 or (800) 750-3331.

EDUCATION IS POWER!

Wait too long to learn about kidney disease and it may be your silent killer! If you or someone you know suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of kidney disease, become educated today! Below are additional web sites that offer excellent information.

American Association of Kidney Patients: www.aakp.org

National Kidney Foundation: www.kidney.org (Please note, our organization is not affiliated with the NKF.)

American Kidney Fund: www.akfinc.org

National Kidney & Urologic Disease Information Clearinghouse: www.niddk.nih.gov

Polycystic Kidney Disease Research Foundation: www.pkdcure.org

American Diabetes Association: www.diabetes.org

American Heart Association: www.americanheart.org