Early detection of kidney disease and protecting your kidney health may lead to better living. Get to know your hard-working kidneys.
Joseph A. Vassalotti, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer, National Kidney Foundation
“Kidney disease is a silent killer due to the lack of symptoms present until it reaches an advanced stage, so early detection is key.”
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) observes National Kidney Month by building awareness about the importance of understanding and achieving optimal kidney health, as well as reducing the impact of kidney disease.
Approximately 80 million people are currently at risk for kidney disease. NKF’s “Are You the 33%?” campaign focuses on educating people about the five major risk factors for kidney disease that everyone needs to know: high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, being overweight, or having a family history of kidney disease.
Healthy kidneys are vital to your overall health. Currently, more than 37 million American adults are estimated to have kidney disease — also known as chronic kidney disease — and approximately 90% don’t know they have it. Unfortunately, kidney disease is a silent killer due to the lack of symptoms present until it reaches an advanced stage, so early detection is key.
It is important to know that awareness and preventative actions can help slow down the progression of kidney disease, so learn about your kidney health by talking with your doctor to learn as much as you can about this devastating disease.
In honor of National Kidney Month, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to educate yourself about your kidneys. For more information and resources, visit www.kidney.org.