What is CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) and Who is at Risk?
1 in 7 adult Americans has CKD, but most don’t know it because there are often no noticeable symptoms.
CKD can be prevented, and if caught early, CKD can be slowed or stopped.
CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) means that your kidneys aren’t working well, and you are at risk for serious health problems. Extra water and waste, normally removed as your kidneys make urine, stay in your body. The healthy balance of chemicals and other substances in your body is disturbed. If CKD gets worse, you may need dialysis or kidney transplant in order to survive.
Who’s at risk? The leading causes CKD are diabetes and high blood pressure. Certain ethnic groups, especially African Americans, are at higher risk, and also people with a family history of CKD or CKD risk factors, and people with heart disease.
· Quick summary of who's at risk
· More details about CKD risk and what to do if you're affected
· Take a quiz to see if you’re at risk
· CKD and blood pressure
· CKD and diabetes
· African-Americans and CKD
· CKD and families--if you are a family member of a dialysis patient, you may be at high risk.
· Fill out a family history form and share it with your doctor. It can tell your doctor a lot about your risk for CKD.
