Published: March 04, 2009 05:46 pm         

Daniels proclaims March as Kidney Month

Gov. Mitch Daniels proclaims March 2009 as “March is Kidney Disease Awareness Month.”

Nearly 600,000 Hoosiers suffer from chronic kidney disease, a condition in which their kidneys are not functioning properly. Most of these individuals don’t know their kidneys are damaged because signs or symptoms do not appear until the disease is advanced. Each year, as many as 75 percent of new kidney patients have decreased kidney function as a result of poorly controlled diabetes and/or high blood pressure, the two leading causes of kidney disease.

The National Kidney Foundation of Indiana encourages Hoosiers to consider some of the many ways their kidneys quietly support their health day-to-day (filtering their blood, controlling blood pressure, supporting healthy bones) and how much their health will suffer if they develop chronic kidney disease. A critical first step toward focusing on kidney health is to know personal and family health histories.

If you have one or more of the following risk factors, the NKFI suggests you to talk to your doctor about being screened for kidney disease or contact NKFI for a free screening in your area.

Risk Factors for CKD

• Primary Risk Factors: Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, Family history of CKD, Age 60 or older

• Secondary Risk Factors: Obesity, autoimmune disease, urinary tract and/or systemic infections, overuse of over-the-counter painkillers, kidney loss, damage, injury or infection.

You can help keep your hard-working kidneys healthy by following this 10-step program:

10 Ways to Keep Kidneys Healthy

• Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol.

• Monitor blood glucose.

• Control weight.

• Don’t smoke.

• Follow a healthful diet.

• Don’t overuse NSAIDS or other OTC painkillers.

• Get an annual physical exam.

• Find out if CKD, diabetes or heart disease runs in your family.

• Exercise regularly.

• Talk to your doctor about being tested for CKD (if you’re at risk, if you are unsure ask).

To learn more about CKD risk factors, prevention, treatment and free screenings, visit www.kidneyindiana.org or call 1-800-382-9971.

The National Kidney Foundation is dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, influencing public policy in support of the kidney community and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation.