Celebrate World Kidney Day!
World Kidney Day will be observed on March 13, 2025. This important global campaign emphasizes kidney health, provides education on identifying risk factors for kidney disease, and promotes timely testing to enhance early detection and intervention. Dr. Carlos Urdininea Kirkwood, MD, FACP breaks down how to prevent and detect chronic kidney disease and explains which populations are considered high-risk.
What is Chronic Kidney Disease?
Chronic kidney disease, also called chronic kidney failure, involves a gradual loss of kidney function. Your kidneys filter waste and excess fluids from your blood, which is then removed in your urine. Advanced chronic kidney disease can cause dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes, and waste to build up in your body.
In the early stages of chronic kidney disease, you may have few signs or symptoms. You may not realize that you have kidney disease until the condition is advanced. Early detection is important, and Culbertson Memorial Hospital is here to help guide you through testing.
Signs of Kidney Damage
Signs and symptoms of chronic kidney disease develop over time if kidney damage progresses slowly. Depending on how severe it is, loss of kidney function can cause:
- Swelling of feet and ankles
- High blood pressure (hypertension) that is difficult to control
- Shortness of breath, if fluid builds up in the lungs
- Chest pain, if fluid builds up around the lining of the heart
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is estimated to affect approximately 850 million people worldwide. By 2040, CKD is projected to become the fifth leading cause of years of life lost. Spreading awareness in Schuyler, Brown, Cass, and southern Fulton Counties is more important than ever as we strive to help our local communities combat kidney disease.
What is World Kidney Day?
World Kidney Day is a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations – World Kidney Alliance (IFKF-WKA). Founded in 1960, the ISN is a global not-for-profit society dedicated to improving kidney care and reducing the incidence and impact of kidney disease worldwide.
The IFKF-WKA is a not-for-profit federation founded in 1999. The IFKF advocates worldwide to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life of people with kidney disease.
Who is at risk for Chronic Kidney Disease?
According to Dr. Carlos Urdininea Kirkwood, populations at high risk for kidney disease are encouraged to contact their Culbertson Memorial Hospital provider. “It is very important to have your blood pressure controlled. If diabetic, this needs to be managed properly to prevent complications including chronic kidney disease (CKD) which is very common in patients with diabetes and hypertension. There are newer therapies to help patients prevent the progression of kidney disease and prevent kidney failure.”
The major risk factors for kidney disease are:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Cardiovascular disease
- Obesity
- Family history of kidney disease
Other risks include:
- Acute Kidney Injury
- Pregnancy-related kidney disease
- Autoimmune diseases (such as systemic lupus erythematosus or vasculitis)
- Being born with a low birth weight or prematurely
- Blockages in the urinary tract
- Frequent kidney stones
- Birth defects affecting the kidneys or urinary tract
Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health
According to Dr. Urdininea Kirkwood, “Kidney health and kidney disease can be detected with 2 simple tests: a urine test and blood test that tells how well your kidneys are working. It is critical to ask your doctors how your kidneys are and if needed being seen by a specialist to get you into the right therapies."