<p>Some 35 million Americans have chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet as many as 9 in 10 aren’t aware they have it. Early-stage kidney disease is a sneaky little shrew: there are often no symptoms, so many of those walking around with the condition are none the wiser until their CKD becomes advanced.</p> <p>March is National Kidney Month, and the organizers want to spread the word about this bubbling threat. Without treatment, kidney failure is on the cards, so prevention and getting treatment are vital to putting a plug on the damage.</p> <h2>12 fast facts on kidneys</h2> <ol> <li> <p><strong>Vital organs.</strong> You need your kidneys to filter waste products, excess fluids, and toxins from the bloodstream. These unwanted substances are expelled through urine.</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Filtration.</strong> Every day, your kidneys filter roughly 150 quarts of blood. Most of the water and other substances that are filtered return to the blood via the kidney’s tubules. The kidneys produce about 1 to 2 quarts of urine, regulating the fluid balance and removing waste.</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Electrolyte balance.</strong> Your little bean-shaped organs regulate levels of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and phosphate, maintaining a proper balance to optimize bodily functions.</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Blood pressure.</strong> The kidneys are essential in regulating blood pressure. They produce hormones that help to control it as well as produce red blood cells.</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>pH balance.</strong> The body's delicate balance between acids and bases is influenced by the kidneys, ensuring blood pH stays within a healthy range.</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Vitamin D. </strong>Healthy kidneys possess an abundance of vitamin D receptors and play an important role in turning the vitamin into its active form. This is essential for calcium absorption and bone health.</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Size doesn’t matter.</strong> Despite how important they are, the kidneys are pretty small organs. Each one is roughly the size of a fist and weighs around 4–6 ounces.</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Kidney disease.</strong> CKD affects millions worldwide and tends to progress silently and slowly. Early detection and treatment can slow it down and retain functionality.</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Risk factors for CKD. </strong>Diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of the disease, and aging are common risk factors.</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Kidney stones</strong>. Brutal, nightmarish, and bizarre, peeing out a kidney stone is one of the most common urological complaints. The stones are solid mineral and salt deposits that form in the kidneys, and they may cause intense pain as they pass through the urinary tract. They can be as small as a grain of sand or as big as a golf ball.</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Transplantation.</strong> Kidney transplants are a treatment option for end-stage kidney disease. They can transform a patient’s quality of life.</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Organ donation.</strong> Donations save lives, and kidneys are the most commonly transplanted organ. </p> </li> </ol> <figure><img alt="" height="436" src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/JA0NazfOd9/thumbnail.jpg" width="653" /> <figcaption>Who Gets Kidney Stones? <em>Source: TheVisualMD</em></figcaption> </figure> <h2>Chronic kidney disease basics</h2> <p><strong>What is chronic kidney disease? </strong>CKD involves the gradual loss of function in the kidneys, the organs responsible for filtering waste and excess fluid from the body. Waste products are expelled from the body via urine. </p> <p>As CKD advances, it can cause dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes, and waste to build up in the body. We can’t cure CKD, but it is possible to slow its progression and retain functionality for a much longer time. CKD can still progress to end-stage kidney failure, which is fatal without dialysis or a transplant.</p> <p><strong>Progression. </strong>Kidney disease usually gets worse over time, resulting in kidney failure and other issues including heart attack or stroke. Around 2 in 1,000 Americans live with end-stage kidney disease, which has to be treated with either a transplant or dialysis.</p> <figure><img alt="" height="436" src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/vAQ017h7q8/original.jpg" width="653" /> <figcaption>Chronic kidney disease - How does my health care provider know I have CKD? <em>Source: TheVisualMD</em></figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>Age, sex, and race/ethnicity in CKD.</strong></p> <ul> <li>People aged 65+ are far more likely to get CKD (34%) than people aged 45–64 years (12%) or 18–44 years (6%)</li> <li>The condition is slightly more common in women (14%) than men (12%)</li> <li>CKD is more common in Black adults (20%) than in Asian (14%) or white adults (12%)</li> <li>CKD affects around 14% of Hispanic adults</li> </ul> <p><strong>Disparities in kidney care. </strong>Health disparities are a scourge on underserved populations, and Black and Hispanic populations have the highest kidney disease burden and mortality rates. Despite this, these groups experience inequities in kidney care including evaluation and access to transplants. </p> <p>Achieving equity in kidney care is a goal that is promoted during National Kidney Month via the Kidney Equity for All campaign. The movement aims to ensure that all kidney patients have access to “high-quality, patient-centered kidney care from the moment of diagnosis to transplantation”.</p> <p><strong>Prevention. </strong>Since we don’t really have a cure for kidney disease, stopping it before it takes hold is critical. To reduce your risk, make sure to:</p> <ul> <li> <p><strong><strong>Follow a healthy diet and exercise regimen. </strong></strong>Be active for 30 minutes or more on most days. Choose heart-healthy foods that aid the entire body: fresh fruits and veg, whole grains, and low- or fat-free dairy. Cut back on salt and added sugar (aim for less than 2,300 mg of sodium each day and make sure less than 10% of your calories come from added sugars).</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Obey the instructions for over-the-counter medications.</strong> Non-prescription painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin need to be used responsibly. Follow the instructions on the package. Taking too many painkillers over an extended period could lead to kidney damage.</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Maintain a healthy weight.</strong> Are you at a healthy weight? Maintain it by being physically active most days of the week. Talk to your doctor if you need assistance with losing weight.</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Quit smoking.</strong> Cigarettes damage your kidneys and make existing kidney damage even worse. If you're a smoker, ask your doctor about strategies for quitting. There are support groups, counseling, and medications you can take advantage of to beat the cravings. </p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Manage other conditions.</strong> Some diseases increase your risk of kidney disease, like diabetes and high blood pressure. Working to get these under control can help to curtail the risk.</p> </li> </ul> <h2>More on the Kidneys and Urinary System</h2><ul><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/vm96kzd0gm-healthy-kidneys" target="_blank">Kidney Health: How to Prevent Kidney Disease</a></li><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/pwvvoa5h7w-kidney-tests" target="_blank">Kidney Tests: Understanding Your Lab Results</a></li><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/dmqpo34uew-chronic-kidney-disease" target="_blank">Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Causes, Symptoms, Management</a></li></ul>