HEALTH COLUMN

Many African Americans unaware of risk for kidney disease

Kidney disease can be effectively treated if detected early.
(NAPS)—Kidney disease affects nearly 20 million Americans. Millions more are at risk, but many don’t know it.

African Americans are disproportionately affected. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), African Americans are about four times more likely than Caucasians to develop kidney failure. This is due largely to the high level of diabetes and high blood pressure among African Americans. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes of kidney failure. A family history of kidney failure also increases risk.

“Most people are unaware of the connection between their diabetes or high blood pressure and kidney disease,” says Dr. Thomas Hostetter, former director of the National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP). “It’s important for people at risk to get their kidneys tested and take steps to protect their kidney function.”

According to the NKDEP, an NIH education and awareness initiative, if you have diabetes or high blood pressure—or if your mother, father, sister, or brother developed kidney failure—you are at increased risk of kidney disease and should talk to your doctor about getting tested.

“Don’t wait for symptoms,” says Dr. Hostetter. “Kidney disease strikes without warning. It often has no symptoms until just before the kidneys fail. People find themselves in the emergency room or on dialysis before they even know they have a problem.” However, kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant, can be prevented.

Here’s what you can do to protect your kidneys:

Control your diabetes and high blood pressure.
Controlling these conditions can help reduce the stress on your heart and blood vessels, which contributes to kidney disease.

Talk to your health care provider.
Discuss your risk for kidney disease, testing, and how you can keep your kidneys healthy.

Get tested.
Ask your doctor to test your blood and urine for signs of kidney disease. The tests are
simple, and are the only way to know for sure if you have kidney disease.

Get treated.
If the tests show that you have kidney disease, medications are available to help slow its progression or prevent kidney failure altogether. Your doctor may also want you to see a kidney specialist.

“Ten years ago, dialysis was inevitable for people with kidney disease,” says Dr. Hostetter. “But, because of medications available today, it’s a different story. That’s
why it’s so important for those at risk to get tested.”

To learn more, call toll free 1-866-4-KIDNEY or visit www.nkdep.nih.gov.

Note to Editor: This article is provided by the National Institutes of Health.

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