The National Kidney Foundation of Florida has a distinct focus on awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease. We've learned such a great deal about this disease as a result of our relationship with such an amazing organization.
Kidney disease, depending on who you speak with, could be seen as perhaps "unfashionable". There is the presumption that if you don't fit into a certain ethnic category, you aren't at risk. Wrong! Do you suffer from hypertension? Have you been on medication? Do you have diabetes? You or a loved one could be headed the direction towards sometime facing this condition. There are two tests to check for kidney disease. The first being urinalysis and the second GFR (glomerular filtration rate).
Again, we've learned so very much throughout our involvement, but there are a few things that have been on heavy on our minds and hearts over the last few days. Here are a few pieces of information that have struck us (by no means is this anywhere near where it ends). There are many times heart attacks are related to undiagnosed kidney disease. They can be interrelated (one causing the other and visa versa). The truth is that none of us want to be the one who waited too long to find out if the heart attack was caused by undetected kidney disease or avoidance of dealing with kidney red flags. Detection, prevention and treatment is crucial. Here is a staggering statistic. More than two hundred twenty four thousand people are currently living with kidney failure caused by diabetes, thus making it the leading cause of kidney disease. The runner up is high blood pressure.
We wondered, can kidney disease be reversed? Can we go to the local nephrologist after waiting for a while and hope they will give us medicine to heal our kidneys should we become the one in three adults currently at risk for developing kidney disease. No, you cannot reverse kidney disease and it's affect on the body. You can, however, try to slow the affects. The risk we all share in developing kidney disease over the course of a lifetime increases to one in two people. Additionally, one in nine American adults have kidney disease and most of them are unaware of their condition.
We've come to learn so much and realize the severity of kidney disease. Moreover, we've truly begun to understand what a small amount of knowledge the general public truly have in understanding its touch on such a large number of people. It could be us, it could be you, it could be your family or neighbor. We're looking at the numbers and thinking that someone in that list will surely be affected. It seems like reason enough for us to learn more and help the cause.
Click here to learn more. Knowledge is everything!
Wishing you a well weekend!
Niki & Trisha
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