...and many don't even know it.  

Chronic kidney disease (also called CKD) is the permanent loss of some kidney function.  Two of the leading health indicators for kidney disease are high blood pressure and diabetes.  People with heart disease or a family history of kidney disease are also at increased risk. 

Anyone with these risk factors should have their kidney function testsed at least once every year.  It's important to understand that early kidney disease has no signs or symptoms.  The only way to know if you have kidney disease is to get checked for it. 

Two simple tests can detect a decline in kidney function: 
 
A blood test to check your eGFR, or estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate.

A urine test test to check for albumin in the urine. Albumin is a protein that can pass into the urine if your kidneys are not working properly.

Kidney disease does not go away.  The goal of treating CKD is to slow the progression of kidney disease as mush as possible.  You can take simple steps to help slow down your CKD:

-- Control your blood pressure
-- Control your diabetes
-- Avoid certain medicines
-- Exercise regularly
-- Avoid smoking or tobacco products

If your kidneys fail, the only option for survival is to go on dialysis three times a week, or have a kidney transplant.    

Be sure to ask your doctor about your risks for kidney disease.  

The sooner you know that you have kidney disease, the sooner you can get treatment to help delay or prevent kidney failure.