World Kidney Day is Thursday, March 13, 2008

The purpose of World Kidney Day (http://www.worldkidneyday.org/) is to raise awareness about the importance of our kidneys - an amazing organ that plays a crucial role in keeping us alive – and to spread the message that kidney disease is common, harmful and treatable.

Celebrate World Kidney Day with healthy world cuisine!  Enjoy ethnic specialities like, Chinese, Mexican and India dishes without the added salt that is bad for our kidneys and can cause high blood pressure. Click here to learn how you can enjoy these delicious meals.  

Count down to World Kidney Day!  In celebration of World Kidney Day, we've posted a daily kidney disease fact or staying-health tip on our Web site since February 18 to help you and your family learn ways to live a healthier life.  

Daily tips and factoids:

March 13, 2008 – Today is World Kidney Day! Celebrate World Kidney Day with healthy (kidney-friendly) world cuisine.  Click here for ways to eat delicious "take-out" Chinese, Mexican and Indian meals.  

March 12, 2008 – Celebrate World Kidney Day by celebrating your family.  Save yourself and save your loved ones by learning your family health history.  

March 11, 2008 – Chronic kidney disease is a silent disease.  Most people don't know that they have it until very late.  The disease can be prevented and treated, if it is detected early.  Get tested, if you are at risk. 

March 10, 2008 – Are you older than 60? As people age, they lose some kidney function and are at riskof developing kidney disease.

March 9, 2008 – People of color have higher rates of kidney failure.  Some risk factors for chronic kidney disease, such as diabetes and high blood pressure are more common in certain ethnic groups.

March 8, 2008 – Being overweight increases your risk of developing kidney disease.

March 7, 2008 – Is your blood pressure higher than 120/80? High blood pressure is the second leading cuase of kidney failure.

March 6, 2008 – Kidney disease can be detected by three simple tests: blood pressure, blood draw and urine.

March 5, 2008 – 1 in 10 children will develop high blood pressure from eating too much salt.  To avoid salt in your diet, cook fresh meals ahead of time and freeze them to eat later.

March 4, 2008 – 20 million adult Americans have kidney disease and another 20 million are at increased risk.

March 3, 2008 – High blood pressure and diabetes are the two leading causes of kidney failure.

March 2, 2008 – The U.S. Government estimates that the number of people needing dialysis or a kidney transplant will double by the year 2015.

March 1, 2008 – People with kidney disease are at increased risk for developing heart and blood vessel disease.

February 29, 2008 – Kidney disease can be slowed through diet, exercise and medication.

February 28, 2008 - About 10 percent of the salt you eat you add to your food; the other 90 percent is added by food manufacturers. Eating too much salt may contribute to high blood pressure and kidney disease.

February 27, 2008 - Chronic kidney disease is a silent disease.  Most people don't know that they have it until very late.  This disease can be prevented and treated if it is detected early.  Get tested, if you are at risk.

February 26, 2008 - Are you older than 60 years of age? As people age, they lose some kidney function and are at risk of developing kidney disease.

February 25, 2008 - People of color have higher rates of kidney failure. Some risk factors for chronic kidney disease, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, are more common in certain ethnic groups.

February 24, 2008 - Being overweight increases your risk of developing kidney disease.

February 23, 2008 - Is your blood pressure higher than 120/80? High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure.

February 22, 2008 - You are at risk for kidney disease if you have diabetes or high blood pressure.

February 21, 2008 - 1 in 9 adult Americans has kidney disease.  Early detection can be help prevent kidney disease progression to kidney failure.

February 20, 2008 - Chronic kidney disease is a condition that damages your kidneys and decreases their ability to keep you healthy.

February 19, 2008 - You are at risk for chronic kidney disease if your blood relatives have high blood pressure, diabetes or kidney disease.