If Your Kidneys Could Talk

If only your kidneys could tell you how healthy they are. Unfortunately, most of the 20 million US adults who have chronic kidney disease (CKD) don’t know they have it – there aren’t any signs or symptoms in the early stages.

Regular testing is your best chance for catching CKD early and treating it early, which can help prevent additional health problems. Talk to your doctor about getting tested if you have any of the risk factors for CKD, which include:

High blood pressure
Diabetes
Heart disease
High cholesterol
Family history of CKD
Age 50 or older

High blood pressure and diabetes are the leading causes of CKD. Approximately 1 out of 3 adults with diabetes and 1 out of 5 adults with high blood pressure have CKD.

Be Kind to Your Kidneys

Some tips for taking care of your kidneys so they can keep taking care of you:

Keep your blood pressure under 140/90 mmHg or the target your doctor determines for you.
If you have diabetes, stay in your target blood sugar range as much as possible.
Get active.
Lose weight if you’re overweight.
Get tested for CKD regularly if you’re at risk.