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World Kidney Day

More care. Less complexity

Kidney health starts with awareness

At Fresenius Medical Care, it is World Kidney Day every day.

As a leader in kidney health, we reinforce our commitment and social responsibility to raising awareness and educating on kidney health, as well as reducing barriers to better kidney care and overall health.

Did you know that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a silent killer?

Prevention – the first line of defense

Knowledge about kidney health empowers you to make better decisions, seek appropriate treatment, and improve your overall health.

3 key factors that impact kidney health6

Less stress on the heart 3,4

1. Check Your Diet

 

  • Eat healthy, watch your salt intake
  • Stay hydrated
blood_cells

2. Check Your Lifestyle

 

  • Be active and fit
  • Don’t smoke
  • Be mindful of taking too many over-the-counter anti-inflammatory/ pain reliever medications
Less restrictive diet 2,6

3. Check Your Risk

 

  • Assess your kidney function with your doctor regularly, check if you have one or more of the high-risk factors: diabetes, hypertension, obesity, family history of kidney disease
  • Take control, check your blood sugar and blood pressure regularly

Possible signs of advancing CKD

Less stress on the heart 3,4

Itching

blood_cells

Fatigue

Less restrictive diet 2,6

Decreased appetite

Less stress on the heart 3,4

Swollen ankles

blood_cells

Difficulty concentrating

Less restrictive diet 2,6

Foamy urine

Known as a “silent killer,” chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive loss of the kidney’s ability to filter blood, affecting how the body eliminates toxins. Early diagnosis can make a difference. If detected in its early stages, the deterioration of kidney function can be slowed or delayed, potentially reducing the associated cardiovascular risks.

Simple lab tests can be used to check kidney function.

It is important to get checked routinely. Speak to your clinician about:

  • Urine test to check for the presence of proteins
  • Blood test to measure creatinine levels

Test your kidney knowledge with Fresenius Medical Care.

Question 1

If the estimated number of people affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD) were to populate a country, it would be the third most populous country in the world, after India and China. True or false?

 

True

To give you an idea of the magnitude of CKD, it is estimated that more than 850 million people worldwide3 are affected— two-and-a-half times the size of the United States population,4 resulting in over 3.1 million deaths in 2019 alone. In other words, more than 1 in 10 people are afflicted with some stage of the disease worldwide.2

 

Question 2

If left unaddressed, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is projected to be the fifth-leading cause of decreased life expectancy by 2040. Which of the following are risk factors and causes of CKD?

A. Diabetes
B. High blood pressure (hypertension)
C. Obesity
D. Family history of kidney disease or kidney failure
E. All of the above

 

E. All of the above

There are factors that increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD), the most common of which are diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension).

However, obesity and a family history of kidney disease or kidney failure are also contributing factors that increase risk, suggesting that the kidneys should be checked routinely.5,7-8

 

Question 3

Which of the following are not best practices for preventing and reducing the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD)?

A. Check your diet. Eat healthy, watch out for your salt intake, and stay hydrated.
B. Check your lifestyle. Be active and fit, stop smoking, and be mindful of your intake of over-the-counter anti-inflammatory/pain reliever medication.
C. Check your age. Only people over the age of 70 develop kidney disease or may have kidney failure.
D. Check your risk Assess your kidney function with your doctor regularly, check if you are at risk in one way or another, e.g., diabetes, hypertension, obesity, family history of kidney disease.

 

C. Check your age

Despite its higher prevalence among older people and other physical, environmental, and social factors, anyone of any age and gender can develop chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Therefore, everyone should follow best practice recommendations for diet and lifestyle, and pay attention to risk factors.7

 

Question 4

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) always shows symptoms such as swollen ankles, foamy urine, and fatigue, among others, in its early stages. One will only need to watch out for these symptoms before seeing a doctor or seeking medical help. True or false?

 

False

Known as a “silent killer,” chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive loss of the kidneys’ ability to filter blood, affecting how the body eliminates toxins.

Up to 90% of kidney function can be lost without a person showing any symptoms.

Early diagnosis can make a difference, and simple urine and blood lab tests can help check kidney health. Remember, if detected in its early stages, the deterioration of kidney function can be slowed or delayed, reducing the associated cardiovascular risks.7

 

Question 5

Did you know that a kidney is approximately the size of an adult’s fist? Although it may seem small, the kidney is essential to an individual’s health. Which of the following tasks are performed by kidneys?

A. Kidneys remove toxins and excess water from the blood
B. Kidneys help to control blood pressure
C. Kidneys play an important role in the production of red blood cells
D. Kidneys help keep your bones healthy
E. All of the above

 

E. All of the above

These amazing organs consist of numerous powerful but small filtering cell units called nephrons; each kidney has approximately one million nephrons!

The main task of the kidneys is to remove wastes and extra fluid from the body through urine, but they also perform many other essential functions that keep your heart, blood, and bones healthy.7

 

Question 6

How many liters of human blood do healthy kidneys filter per day?

A. Approximately 25 liters
B. Approximately 50 liters
C. Approximately 100 liters
D. Approximately 200 liters

 

D. Approximately 200 liters

Of the approximately 200 liters of fluid filtered in 24 hours, around 198 liters are recovered, and 2 liters of toxins, wastes, and water are removed from the body through urine.7

 

Find palate pleasing recipes for kidney health

As part of the World Kidney Day celebration, we invite you to test your cooking skills with delicious recipes developed for renal health. Click here for healthy deliciousness.

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    1 kidney.org.au/uploads/resources/KHA-Factsheet-What-is-CKD-2023_2023-10-24-020728.pdf. Accessed 22 January 2024.
    2 sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2157171621000666. Accessed 22 January 2024. 
    3 vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/. Accessed 22 January 2024. 
    4 census.gov/popclock/. Accessed 22 January 2024. 
    5 thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(18)31694-5.pdf. Accessed 22 January 2024. 
    6 kidney.org/treatment/askthedoctor. Accessed 22 January 2024.
    7 https://www.worldkidneyday.org/about-kidney-health/ -Accessed on 22 January 2024.
    8 https://karger.com/nef/article/147/11/660/844557/Chronic-Kidney-Disease-and-Obesity  - Accessed on 22 January 2024.

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