The patient had kidney problems but felt OK, so he thought he could handle them without medical care. When his kidney functions worsened significantly, he saw a nephrologist, but by then there was little that could be done for him.
It doesn't have to be that way – if you're educated about the risks of chronic kidney disease and how to detect and treat it.
About 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease, a condition in which damaged kidneys can't remove waste from the blood as well as they should. The loss of kidney function is gradual and usually permanent. But early treatment can slow or prevent CKD. (Its most common causes are high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease.)
Millions of others are at risk. Yet, most of us know nothing about it.
A 2006 nationwide survey conducted by the Opinion Research Corp. found that 70 percent of adults either haven't heard of the disease or have heard of it but know no details.
Forty-one percent of respondents either didn't believe or didn't know CKD increases the risk of developing heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.
Here are some tips for recognizing and treating kidney disease:
CKD doesn't announce its presence forcefully, as some illnesses do.
Generally, in its early states, it's asymptomatic, and people don't usually have symptoms of chronic kidney disease until it's very late in its course. Those symptoms may include leg cramps, swelling in the legs and ankles, feeling tired and weak, nausea, vomiting and itchy skin. Blacks, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, American Indians and the elderly are at increased risk.
To detect CKD earlier, the National Kidney Foundation recommends that people with diabetes or high blood pressure – or a family history of either – undergo three simple screening tests annually:
A blood pressure measurement: The two most common causes of kidney disease are hypertension and diabetes, so have your blood pressure checked. If it's higher than 140/90, generally you need to be treated with medication. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends that people with kidney disease make lifestyle changes and use medication to keep their blood pressure below 130/80.
A spot check for protein or albumin in urine: The presence of albumin, a type of body protein, is the first sign of kidney disease.
A blood test to calculate the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which measures kidney function.
A person's eGFR is the best indicator of how well kidneys are working, according to the NHLBI. An eGFR of 90 or above is normal. A person whose eGFR stays below 60 for three consecutive months has CKD. The lower the kidney function, the higher the risk of complications.
If you've got CKD, then what?
CKD often can't be cured, but treating it in its early stages can help kidneys last longer. It can also minimize the risk of heart attacks and strokes. So
Control blood pressure. This may be achieved with a variety of medicines, if prescribed by your doctor. Consult your physician before taking herbal supplements or over-the-counter medicines, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories such as Motrin (ibuprofen). They can have an adverse effect on blood pressure.