Northwest centers raising awareness about kidney disease

Northwest centers raising awareness about kidney disease

08:11 AM PDT on Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By JANE MCCARTHY / KING 5 News

Video: Northwest centers raising awareness about kidney disease (follow link below to view)

SEATTLE - March is National Kidney Month. Nearly 700,000 people in Washington suffer from kidney disease. There is no cure, but in most cases it is preventable.

Northwest Kidney Centers have a lot of clients and getting more all the time. The doctors at the center say that new cases of kidney disease have increased by 30% over the last 10 years and most people have no idea they have it.

Everyone should know the risk factors and insist on a test.

Marilyn Gunderson has standing appointments with the dialysis machine - three times a week for several hours each time. It's very much a part of life because it's saving her life, acting as her kidneys where her own have unexpectedly given out.

"I always thought having high blood pressure that you have a heart attack, not realizing you're going to have a kidney problem," said Gunderson. "You know, nobody's ever told me that."

It turns out kidney disease is extraordinarily common, afflicting one in seven Americans.

"And the worst part is, most people don't know," said Dr. Leanna Tyshler, Northwest Kidney Centers. "They don't know they have the disease because it's a silent disease."

Silent until the patient suffers kidney failure, like Mini Cheridan.

"I didn't know anything when I found out, actually," said Cheridan.

Which is why Tyshler urges people to ask their doctors for a test.

There are risk factors linked to kidney disease, including high blood pressure and diabetes, if you're over 60, suffer cardiovascular disease, obesity or have a family history.

Once a person suffers kidney failure, the only way to stay alive is dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Gunderson is not eligible for a transplant, but Cheridan is, hoping it will someday set her free.

"I have lots of hopes to travel and see my kids grow up," said Cheridan.

In order to prevent kidney disease, you need to treat high blood pressure and diabetes. Don't smoke and follow a low salt/low-fat diet. And don't overuse pain relievers like ibuprofen and naproxen - overuse can damage kidneys.

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