According to 2022 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Alaska has the lowest reported rate in the nation of adults diagnosed with kidney disease by health professionals, at just 2.4%.
Let’s keep kidney disease low and talk about kidney health!
March is National Kidney Month, which is used to raise awareness of kidney disease and how to treat, identify, and understand the importance of maintaining our kidney health through good health habits, testing for kidney function, and early treatment.
Kidneys and kidney disease
The kidneys filter all the blood in the body every 30 minutes. It also functions to remove waste, toxins, and excess fluid and helps control blood pressure, stimulate the production of red blood cells, keep your bones healthy, and regulate blood chemicals that are essential to life.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood as well as they should. Kidney diseases are a leading cause of death in the United States.
In 2023, 1 in 7 American adults is estimated to have chronic kidney disease (CDC).
Symptoms and risk factors
Some people with early-stage kidney disease don’t have symptoms until the damage is very advanced. But here are some common signs and symptoms of kidney disease.
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney disease. Other factors include heart and blood vessel disease, family history, social factors, age, and diet.
Early detection and testing
Kidney disease is preventable. The sooner you know the health of your kidneys, the sooner you can take steps to protect them. For most people, blood and urine tests are the only way to know.
MedPhysicals Plus offers blood testing that can prevent and detect kidney and renal disease. Our Comprehensive Metabolic Panel tests against kidney and adrenal function, infection, and other issues. This test can determine the ability of your kidneys to dispose of “waste.” We also offer a urine test. Our urinalysis or UA complete test is offered separately and discounted as part of our Women’s Health Package. Our renal function test is very affordable, at only $25. It is a quick blood test that only takes a few minutes to collect. Contact us today at (907) 561-7587 to learn more.
Some of the information in this blog is used with permission from Kidney.org.