WHAT do you know about your kidneys?

WHY are your kidneys important?

WHERE are the kidneys located?

WHO is at risk for developing Chronic Kidney Disease?

Were you able to answer any of these questions confidently? How about some of them? If you didn’t know the answers to these questions, don’t feel bad because you’re not alone. A recent survey conducted by The Kidney Foundation of Canada showed that Canadians failed the grade three out of four times when asked basic questions about kidney disease. Moreover, nearly half of respondents (44 per cent) say the kidneys don’t come to mind as a major organ in the body. Yet, and estimated 2 million Canadians live with chronic kidney disease (CKD), or are at risk of developing it.

Members of certain ethnic groups including South Asian, Aboriginal, Asian, Pacific Island, African/Caribbean and Hispanic origin) are also at high risk because of the greater incidence of diabetes and high blood pressure.

The danger with CKD lays in the fact that is a silently progressive disease, meaning that destruction and damage is often only detectable when it is too late and kidney function is almost completely gone. And, when kidney function is gone, your body loses the ability to filter out impurities from it.

If you have diabetes, you may be at a greater risk of developing CKD. In fact, diabetes is one of the largest risk factors for developing CKD, along with high blood pressure. Yet, 57 per cent of Canadians polled were not aware of this connection. In addition to diabetes and high blood pressure, blood vessel diseases, age and a family history of kidney disease are also risk factors.

What do you need to do to test for kidney function, you ask? Well, it’s easy – one simple test will indicate what is your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or kidney function level. Your family doctor can order this test simply and quickly. Simply put, if you know at what capacity your kidneys are functioning, you’ll know how healthy they are.

If detected early, CKD can be treated and progression prevented, thereby reducing other complications including premature death.

In addition to testing for your eGFR, these other easy steps will help prevent the progression of CKD:

• Have your blood pressure checked regularly. High blood pressure is a risk factor for    CKD
• Take steps to control your blood pressure. Focus on a healthy diet and keep a healthy weight
• Stay alert for changes in your urine
• Watch for symptoms of anemia
• Have a yearly urine and blood test along with a physical examination
• Stay active. Regular exercise will help keep your body functioning normally
• Drink lots of water
• Tell your doctor if your family has a history of high blood pressure, diabetes or kidney disease

Test your kidney knowledge by taking the Kidney Quiz at www.kidney.ca . You can find out more about what kidneys do, the importance of kidney health, research into kidney diseases and organ donation.