Cook County Health Recognizes World Kidney Day on March 14

In recognition of World Kidney Day on March 14, Cook County Health urges everyone to learn about chronic kidney disease and what you can do to prevent it.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common and under-recognized disease. It is mostly asymptomatic in the earlier stages, but if left untreated, it can lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or kidney failure.

CKD is the ninth-leading cause of death in the U.S. An estimated 30 million adults are living with kidney disease and approximately 48 percent of those in the later stages of the disease are unaware of their diagnosis.

In the U.S., ethnic minorities have a higher risk (1.5 to four times) of developing kidney failure. One reason for this alarming statistic is a lack of awareness about the disease in its earlier stage.

What are some steps you can take to prevent chronic kidney disease?

• If you have a family or personal history of hypertension, diabetes or kidney disease, talk to your primary care doctor about two screening tests: serum creatinine level (level of kidney function) and urine protein (albumin) for early detection of kidney disease.

• If you have a history of hypertension, keep your blood pressure below 140/90 and ask your doctor about your blood pressure goal.

• If you have a history of diabetes, keep your blood sugar under control and know your A1C level.

• Additionally, choose healthy foods, exercise regularly, avoid smoking, maintain a healthy weight and avoid medications such as ibuprofen, Advil and Aleve.

• Get to know your kidney numbers. For more information, visit the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois website www.nkfi.org/prevention to learn how to attend a free kidney health screening.

If you are interested in learning more about kidney disease, you are invited to attend a kidney health class at Stroger Hospital. For registration, call the Division of Nephrology at 312-864-4600.