Kidney Disease Facts
Kidney disease is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States. More than 20 million adults in the U.S. have some form of kidney disease, often without realizing it. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the top two reasons why people develop kidney problems.
With these numbers continually increasing, it’s essential to understand what kidney disease is and how it can be addressed.
What Is Kidney Disease?
Your kidneys are essential organs in your body that help filter your blood by removing nearly two quarts of waste and extra fluids every day.
If someone has kidney disease, their kidneys can’t do this job properly. This condition can occur suddenly or develop gradually over time.
Some signs that might indicate kidney disease include:
- Feeling nauseous or sick to your stomach
- Swelling in different areas of your body
- Feeling unusually tired
- Trouble breathing
- Itchy skin
- Loss of appetite
- Pain in your back or sides
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult a doctor.
What Causes Kidney Disease?
- High Blood Pressure: This happens when your blood pressure is too high and presses against your artery walls. Kidney failure is just one of the health problems that can result from increased pressure that isn’t managed.
- Diabetes: Kidney disease is more likely to develop in people with diabetes. Compared to the general population, diabetics have a much higher risk of kidney failure.
- Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD): This hereditary disorder results in the development of fluid-filled kidney cysts. These cysts have the potential to press against healthy kidney tissue, potentially impairing kidney function. About 500,000 people in the United States suffer from PKD, the most prevalent hereditary kidney disease. Serious kidney issues may eventually affect nearly half of people who have PKD.
- The Impact of Drugs and Alcohol on Your Kidneys: Your kidneys work hard to remove dangerous substances from your blood, such as alcohol and drugs. Because your kidneys must work harder to rid your blood of these toxins, these substances put additional strain on them.
Kidney disease frequently starts quietly, with early warning indicators showing up in tests before you experience any symptoms. You can take charge of your kidney health journey by being aware of your test results.
