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National Awareness Month

March is National Kidney Month

According to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), 26 million Americans—1 in 9 adults—have chronic kidney disease, and most don’t know it.

More than 526,000 Americans are currently receiving treatment for kidney failure (also called end stage renal disease, or ESRD). This includes more than 367,000 dialysis patients and 158,000 people with functioning kidney transplants. Every month, the number of Americans waiting for kidney transplants increases. About 83,000 patients are awaiting kidney transplants and more than 2,200 are waiting for kidney-pancreas transplants. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, followed by uncontrolled or poorly controlled high blood pressure, glomerulonephritis, an inflammatory disease of the kidneys, and polycystic kidney disease.

The NKF urges everyone to learn the risk factors and get their kidneys checked out. Early detection and treatment, including lifestyle changes, may slow or prevent the progression to kidney failure. Be good to your kidneys so they will last you the rest of your life. For more information and a schedule of free, nationwide screenings click here