Today, kidney disease affects an estimated 37 million people in the United States – representing 15% of the adult population and more than one in seven people. What is even more staggering is the fact that 90% of those with kidney disease, including two in five people with severe kidney disease, do not even know that they have it. As the fastest-growing noncommunicable disease in the U.S., kidney disease is often a silent killer, making early detection critical in improving patient outcomes.
Below, here’s a brief background of the kidneys, with a substantive overview of their function and the steps needed to protect them.
Understanding Your Kidneys
Every day, your kidneys filter a staggering 200 liters (nearly 53 gallons) of blood and are an important vehicle for removing waste, balancing fluids and minerals, controlling blood pressure and creating red blood cells. Unfortunately, kidney disease can disrupt these vital daily functions, potentially leading to serious complications such as heart attack, stroke, anemia, nerve damage, kidney failure and even death.
Today, as many as one in three adults is at risk for developing kidney disease due to risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, advanced age (60+ years) and family history. When first impacted with the disease, patients typically begin experiencing a number of early warning signs, which include persistent puffiness around the eyes, frequent urination, foamy urine, dry and itchy skin, fatigue and trouble concentrating. However, many often fail to attribute these symptoms to their kidneys, causing their disease to become more advanced and, consequently, more harmful.
Protecting Your Renal Health
Thankfully, there are several different ways to protect the health of your kidneys. For example, limiting salt and fat in your diet, drinking plenty of water, keeping your blood pressure in check, exercising regularly and quitting smoking have all been shown to reduce the risk of kidney disease. What’s more, testing has been shown to be an incredibly powerful tool for protecting renal health, arming individuals with the information they need to address their kidney function. Our recently released Cue® Health Kidney Panel is a great option for those who prefer to test from the privacy and comfort of their home. We believe strongly that checking your kidney function today could help save your life tomorrow. Accordingly, be sure to talk to your doctor if you believe you might be at risk for kidney disease – taking the steps necessary to protect against this debilitating and elusive disease.
This information is presented in summary form, general in nature, and for informational purposes only. Content is not intended nor recommended to substitute for professional medical advice. For personal medical advice, always consult your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. The tests offered are subject to change and subject to availability. Due to state restrictions, this Cue Product is not available for individuals located in the state of New York. Other state restrictions may apply for specific tests. Please refer to our support page for detailed product terms and conditions.
References:
- https://www.kidney.org/news/newsroom/fsindex#fast-facts
- https://www.kidneyfund.org/all-about-kidneys/quick-kidney-disease-facts-and-stats
- https://www.kidney.org/yourkidneysandyou
