What part of your body filters 200 liters of blood daily, helps regulate blood pressure and directs red blood cell production? The correct answer is the kidneys, recognized in March with National Kidney Month and World Kidney Day on March 13.
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) reminds Americans that the two fist-sized organs, vital in a variety of tasks that maintain good health, also are prone to disease. An estimated one in three Americans is at risk for kidney disease due to diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of kidney failure. More than 26 million Americans already have kidney disease, and most don’t know it because there often are no symptoms until the disease has progressed.
While the condition is the ninth leading cause of death nationwide, early detection can make a difference in preventing the disease.
Besides the risk factors listed above, other factors include heart disease; being age
60 or older; suffering from cramping at night; having swollen feet and ankles; having puffiness around the eyes, particularly in the morning; feeling the urge to urinate more often, especially at night; and unexpected weight loss or gain.
African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders and American Indians are at increased risk for kidney disease, in part because diabetes is more common in these groups than in the population at large. African Americans experience a higher incidence of high blood pressure.
The founders of World Kidney Day, The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF), offer easy ways to reduce the risk of developing kidney disease: keep fit and active, which helps reduce blood pressure; keep regular control of your blood sugar level; monitor your blood pressure; eat healthy and keep your weight in check, which can help prevent diabetes, heart disease and other conditions; maintain a healthy fluid intake; and do not smoke, which slows the flow of blood to the kidneys.
Barnabas Health Renal and Pancreas Transplant Division
Kidney transplant surgery has a high long-term success rate and is considered the best treatment for kidney failure. The Barnabas Health Renal and Pancreas Transplant Division is among the three largest and most progressive in the nation. With more than 30 years of experience in the field of renal transplantation, it continuously advocates for patients and participates in the newest research and surgical options to offer the most transplant opportunities.
To forge new opportunities for people who want to donate a healthy kidney to someone in need of a transplant, Barnabas Health has created New Jersey’s only Living Donor Institute. Living Donor programs include Living- and Emotionally-Related Donor Transplantation, The Living Donor Kidney Exchange Program for patients who have a willing living donor who is not compatible to them, The Program for Incompatible Transplants, the new Compatible Share Program and Altruistic Living Donation.
Barnabas Health also cares for New Jersey’s youngest patients with renal disease, renal dysfunction and hypertension, through the Children’s Kidney Center. Started in 1996 as the first complete pediatric nephrology service in the state, it now performs more pediatric kidney transplants than any other facility in New Jersey.
For more information, call (888) 409-4707 or visit transplantkidney.org.