Did you know that your kidneys filter all the blood in your body every 30 minutes? Even though the kidneys are as small as a computer mouse, they work hard to remove wastes, toxins, and excess fluid. Kidneys that function properly are critical for maintaining good health; however; more than one in seven American adults — or about 37 million people — have chronic kidney disease (CKD).
CKD is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood as well as they should. Because of this, excess fluid and waste from blood remain in the body and may cause other health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.
Some other health consequences of CKD include:
n Anemia or low number of red blood cells.
n Increased occurrence of infections.
n Low calcium levels, high potassium levels, and high phosphorus levels in the blood.
n Loss of appetite or eating less.
n Depression or lower quality of life.
CKD has varying levels of seriousness. It usually gets worse over time, though treatment has been shown to slow progression. If left untreated, CKD can progress to kidney failure and early cardiovascular disease. When the kidneys stop working, dialysis or kidney transplant is needed for survival. Kidney failure treated with dialysis or kidney transplant is called end-stage renal disease.
Not all patients with kidney disease progress to kidney failure. Follow these tips to help prevent CKD and lower the risk for kidney failure:
n Control risk factors for CKD.
n Get tested yearly.
n Make lifestyle changes.
n Take medication as needed.
n See your health care team regularly.
For more information about chronic kidney disease prevention, visit cdc.gov/kidneydisease/basics.html and cdc.gov/kidneydisease/index.html.
— Benefits and Wellness,
Human Resources, 3-23-23
