World Kidney Day Raises Awareness

DAVENPORT, Iowa -- Most Americans know they need to watch their cholesterol to avoid heart disease, but very few have the same awareness when it comes to kidney disease. As the third annual World Kidney Day approaches on March 13, know the facts about chronic kidney disease (CKD).

CKD, when the kidneys gradually lose the ability to function, often goes unnoticed. At least 1 in 9 adults have some form of kidney damage. People with CKD are more likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attacks and strokes. Kidney disease is “common, harmful and treatable.”

“Simple, routine tests of your urine, blood and blood pressure can show early signs of kidney problems,” said Cathy Hughes, Manager of the Dialysis Unit at Genesis, Davenport. “Once we know these problems, we can slow and even stop the progression of chronic kidney disease by the use of medication and changing some of our living habits.

“Early detection and treatment of CKD can not only slow or halt the progression of patients to end-state renal disease, but it can also significantly reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease, the most common cause of premature death. Unfortunately, most people can have CKD and yet have no symptoms until later stages.  Education and prevention is key."

High-risk groups include those with diabetes, hypertension and a family history of kidney disease. African-Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans and seniors are at increased risk.

When the kidneys progressively worsen to the point where they must be replaced (end-stage renal disease), patients must receive a new, transplanted kidney or be kept alive through Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT). This therapy filters toxins out of the patient’s blood either through hemodialysis, requiring connection to a machine three times a week, or peritoneal dialysis, a home therapy that utilizes the patient’s abdominal cavity for the filtering of toxins.

With both inpatient and outpatient services for people with kidney failure, Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, provides the only hospital-based hemodialysis center in the Quad Cities. The Quad Cities Kidney Center also has a newly constructed outpatient facility on the Genesis, Illini Campus.

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