Facts on kidney Diseases

[kitkatz]

I am working on a speech on kidney disease and why people should get checked. I need some interesting facts about kidney diseases. I want to make it important to get checked out by a doctor.

[pelagia]

From the PKD Foundation site: http://www.pkdcure.org/AboutPKD/ADPKD/tabid/218/Default.aspx

"ADPKD: Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
 
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is one of the most common, life-threatening genetic diseases, affecting 600,000 Americans and 12.5 million people, worldwide. ADPKD affects more people than Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and sickle cell anemia combined.
 
ADPKD causes fluid-filled cysts to grow on the kidneys. Over time, these cysts multiply and grow, causing kidney failure in 50 percent of cases. Dialysis and transplantation are the only treatments for kidney failure. There is no treatment or cure for PKD.
 
ADPKD affects 1 in 500 newborns, children and adults regardless of sex, age, race or ethnic origin. It does not skip a generation. Parents with ADPKD have a 50 percent chance of passing the disease on to each of their children.
 
Common symptoms of ADPKD include high blood pressure, pain in the back, side or stomach, blood in the urine, kidney stones, frequent urinary tract infections, a family history of kidney problems, heart problems or strokes. Anyone experiencing one or more of these symptoms should see a doctor."

[Meinuk]

Kitkatz,

I'd go with the numbers  I found some outdated numbers on a FDA website

Approximately 217,000 Americans who receive ongoing dialysis, at an annual cost of $11.1 billion nationwide.

But there are also some studies that are saying that this population is growing by 7% annually

(Please correct me if my numbers are off, I jut did a quick search)

More important, lifestyle modifications can lessen impact on the kidneys if they are caught early.  Low Protein Diet, Controlling Blood Pressure, Controlling Diabetes etc.  Proper medical care can identify your risk, and maybe slow deterioration.  Once you have lost your kidney function well...  we all know what happens.

In these days of fast food, preservatives, sedentary lifestyles, well, our kidneys can become casualties to our lifestyles.  We need to treat them with care.  (even with genetic diseases like mine, I could have done better and bought a bit more time...)

[Bill Peckham]

Kitkatz,

I'd go with the numbers  I found some outdated numbers on a FDA website

Approximately 217,000 Americans who receive ongoing dialysis, at an annual cost of $11.1 billion nationwide.

But there are also some studies that are saying that this population is growing by 7% annually

(Please correct me if my numbers are off, I jut did a quick search)

More important, lifestyle modifications can lessen impact on the kidneys if they are caught early.  Low Protein Diet, Controlling Blood Pressure, Controlling Diabetes etc.  Proper medical care can identify your risk, and maybe slow deterioration.  Once you have lost your kidney function well...  we all know what happens.

In these days of fast food, preservatives, sedentary lifestyles, well, our kidneys can become casualties to our lifestyles.  We need to treat them with care.  (even with genetic diseases like mine, I could have done better and bought a bit more time...)

That's some old data Anna. We're up to about 390,000 on dialysis about 170,000 living with a transplant. You have to adjust the latest figures from the USRDS to come up with today's numbers - the latest data from the USRDS is 2006.

Here is a good link for your talk http://www.webmd.com/news/20071106/13percent-of-americans-have-kidney-disease
You can use the 1 in 8 Americans have CKD and most don't even know it.

[kitkatz]

Thank you all for the info.  Does anyone else have any other startling statistics they want to share?

[Zach]

In these days of fast food, preservatives, sedentary lifestyles, well, our kidneys can become casualties to our lifestyles.  We need to treat them with care.  (even with genetic diseases like mine, I could have done better and bought a bit more time...)

One of the most important points to be made.
 

[twirl]

kitkatz           most people do not know they have PKD
                    some evil people like me spread it to their children and grandchildren
                    so the evil never stops
                   
               

[monrein]

TWIRL, am I gonna have to come down to Texas in the heat I can't stand just to beat you up myself so you will stop doing it to yourself?  AARRGGHH girl, what am I gonna do with you.

[Meinuk]

Twirl,

You are not evil.  Don't beat yourself up.  I am second generation PKD.  My mother knew it was genetic, and was told not to have another child.  She was on the pill and in denial when she found herself pregnant with me.  Even though I've had to make some rather difficult life choices, I wouldn't have my life any other way.  It all works out in the end.

So, give yourself a break, love and educate your children and enjoy being alive.  Life is too short for regrets.

[monrein]

Anna got it right.  Anna for president, Twirl for VP.

[Romona]

Not all Primary Care Physicians know the markers of kidney disease. The National Kidney Foundation is trying to make PCP's more aware of what numbers to look for. One of my doctors a retired Air Force doc, told me fatigue was the most common complaint. He had many guys have to go on dialysis the same day he diagnosed them. Just something I thought I'd share but not really startling for your speech.

[RuthWells]

kitkatz most people do not know they have PKD
 some evil people like me spread it to their children and grandchildren
 so the evil never stops

Twirl, I've seen a couple of threads now where you call yourself evil for having had children when you knew you had this disease.  I see other members are doing a very good job of telling you that that's baloney, but I want to add my perspective.  I have two beautiful children, one of whom has been diagnosed with PKD.  Yes, I knew I had PKD when I made the choice to have children.

Every time you call yourself evil for choosing to have had children, you are also condemning every other member of this board with PKD who chose to have children, and THAT offends me.  So please knock it off!

I am heartsick that my son has been diagnosed with PKD, but rather than beat myself up about it, I choose to FIGHT.  Last year I raised $9,000 for the PKD Foundation, and plan to break that number this year.  By the time my son is grown, there will be a CURE to PKD, or I will die trying.