Kidney Disease is the 9th Leading Cause of Death in the U.S.

A majority of people who have moderately decreased kidney function may not know they have it

Your kidneys’ main function is to filter extra water and wastes from your blood, resulting in healthy urine production. Kidneys also help control your blood pressure. When you have kidney disease—which may happen as you age—the wastes build up and can cause other health-harming issues. Kidney disease typically occurs slowly over several years.

CAUSES OF KIDNEY DISEASE:

• Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure, accounting for around
  44% of new cases
• High blood pressure is the second cause of kidney failure, accounting for around
  28% of new cases

YOU MAY HAVE A HIGHER RISK OF KIDNEY FAILURE IF YOU:

• Have cardiovascular disease
• Have a family history of kidney failure
• Are over the age of 60
• Are African-American, Hispanic, Native American, or Asian

SYMPTOMS:

Typically, there are no symptoms in the early stages—symptoms don’t usually appear until the disease has progressed; after that, you may experience:

• Feeling nauseous
• Feeling dizzy or fatigued
• Swelling in hands, face, or feet
• Pain in the back
• High blood pressure
• Dark, bloody, or foamy urine
• Change in frequency of urination

GET TESTED TO CATCH IT EARLY:

• Urine test
• Blood pressure test
• Blood glucose test
• Blood creatinine test

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