More than 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease and most don’t know it. Since kidney disease is often silent without any symptoms, it can sneak up on people, especially those who are not aware of the major risk factors. Anyone with high blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of these conditions or kidney disease is at risk and should get his or her kidneys checked. The ultimate goal and mission of the National Kidney Foundation is the eradication of diseases of the kidney and urinary tract, which are among the costliest illnesses in the U.S. today. Here are some other facts everyone should know:
· More than 26 million Americans over age 20 have chronic kidney disease. This number represents approximately 13% of the adult population. Millions more are at increased risk for developing kidney disease, and most don’t even know it.
· At the end of 2007, there were 485,000 Americans receiving treatment for kidney failure (also called end stage renal disease, or ESRD). This included 341,000 dialysis patients and 136,000 with a functioning kidney transplant. Each year, more than 70,000 Americans die from causes related to kidney failure.
· Every month, the number of Americans waiting for kidney transplants increases. Approximately 76,604 patients are awaiting kidney transplants and more than 2,373 are waiting for kidney-pancreas transplants. A new name is added to the waiting list every 12 minutes. Eighteen people die while waiting each day. More donors are urgently needed.
· Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure. In 2003, it accounted for about 45 percent of the new cases and about 36 percent of all cases of kidney failure in the U.S.
· Uncontrolled or poorly controlled high blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure in the U.S. In 2002, it accounted for 27 percent of the new cases and about 23 percent of all cases of kidney failure in the U.S.
· Urinary tract infections (UTI) result in nearly 11 million office visits annually and 367,246 hospitalizations. About 53 percent of women report suffering from UTIs annually.
· Kidney and urologic diseases continue to be major causes of lost productivity, physician visits, and hospitalizations among men and women. Each year, kidney stones result in more than one million physician office visits and nearly 177,496 hospitalizations at a cost of $2.07 billion.
For more information on kidney health or National Kidney Month (March), please visit the National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org). General Health encourages you to speak with your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about your kidneys. The Clinic welcomes most major insurances along with Medicare and Medicaid. Payments by cash, credit cards, and debit cards are accepted. The clinic is located at the junction of highways 148 and JJ in Hopkins, Missouri. The clinic will be open Saturday, April 2; Saturday, April 9; and Saturday, April 30.
Source: http://www.kidney.org/index.cfm
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