Kidney Disease- the SILENT killer

I was startled to learn this week that 1 in 7 Australian’s aged over 25 years have at least 1 sign of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

These include reduced kidney function and the presence of proteinuria (protein in the urine), or haematuria (blood in the urine).

Furthermore, I was shocked to discover that the rate of kidney disease in our society is increasing dramatically, mainly because the prevalence of diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions.

Diabetes is the most common causes of CKD, accounting for up to 32% of new cases.

It is predicted that kidney disease will also reach epidemic proportions in years to come.

CKD affects people of ALL ages, many being in their 20’s, 30’s and early 40’s.

With National Kidney Awareness week approaching at the end of May, I thought it my duty and obligation to discuss the prevalence of this condition, the risk factors, and what you can do to prevent CKD.

It is important to highlight here that CKD is a SILENT disease; people can loose up to 90% of their kidney function with NO symptoms. Furthermore, CKD is irreversible and once you loose kidney function, you cannot get it back.

We should ALL be taking our kidney health seriously and doing all that we can to prevent any problems from occurring.

So what are some of the things that can damage our kidneys, that we can follow up or address to keep our kidneys healthy?

-recurrent Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s), or cystitis- if women are getting infections more than once every 12 months, then this should be followed up

-high blood pressure- on its own, or coupled with another condition, this is one of the most common causes of CKD, accounting for 14% of new cases. High blood pressure affects the kidneys by putting more stress on the blood vessels throughout the body including the kidney filters. If this continues, blood vessels become thickened and narrowed, leading to reduced blood flow to the kidneys, starving it of essential oxygen and nutrients.

-smoking- people who smoke are 3 times more likely to have reduced kidney function. It is thought smoking damages the kidneys by hardening the arteries in the kidneys and by changing blood circulation in the kidneys

-alcohol- through leading to heart disease and high blood pressure, excessive alcohol intake increases the risk of CKD. Limit alcohol intake to 2 standard drinks per day for men, and one for women, and always have 2 alcohol free days per week.

-stress- can affect kidney health in a number of ways, primarily however, through effects on blood pressure, and the body’s general state of health. Make it a concentrated effort to avoid stress, do the things you love, spend time with the people you enjoy being with and balance the load!

-overweight & poor diet- a poor diet leading to overweight puts you at an increased risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure- major risk factors for kidney disease. So be sure to watch your weight, keep it under control, or start to get it under control! Eat lots of fruit, vegetables, legumes and wholegrain breads and cereals, choose only low fat dairy products, limit fatty foods, lower your salt intake and choose only the leanest cuts of meat and skinless chicken you can find!

-dehydration- Water assists in transporting nutrients around the body, as well as helping to eliminate waste. Furthermore water has no calories, so sticking to this liquid when thirsty can aid in the maintenance of a healthy weight. You should limit your intake of caffeinated drinks such as cola and coffee as these can irritate the bladder and act as a diuretic.

-lack of exercise- the benefits of regular exercise are many, however in relation to kidney health, exercise is beneficial to assist in the maintenance and reduction of weight, and the reduction in the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes- major risk factors for kidney disease. 30 minutes on at least 5 days of the week is recommended. You do not have to sweat it out at a gym, or exhaust yourself doing something overly vigorous. A brisk walk is sufficient, and you can break up exercise times to add up to 30 minutes a day if this makes it more achievable.

There are certain groups of people at a much higher risk of CKD development.

If you answer yes to one or more of the following, you are at a higher risk and a Kidney Performance Test is recommended:

-Are you diabetic?
-Do you have high blood pressure?
-Do you have a family history of kidney disease?
-Are you over 50?
-Are you a smoker?
-Are you of Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islander Descent?

What is a Kidney Performance Test and how do I get one done?

A kidney performance test looks at the current function of your kidneys. It can include:

-Blood pressure test
-Blood Test
-Urine Test
-Lifetstyle assessment guidelines

Your GP can do this for you TODAY. Simply schedule an appointment with them and inform them of what you are after.

There is much, much more information to discuss, however, the best piece of advice is to currently assess your health and any risk factors for kidney disease you may have. Make an appointment with your doctor, and start on a health action plan to minimize your risk of not only kidney disease, but any one of the highly prevalent chronic diseases in our society today: heart disease, diabetes, cancer, depression, etc.

Realise there are so many things you can do to minimize your risks of any of these conditions, educate yourself on these and commit to a plan.

To summarise, the most important things you can do to CUT YOUR RISK:

-Be a non-smoker
-Control your blood pressure
-Stay fit
-Maintain a healthy weight
-Reduce stress
-Drink only moderate amounts of alcohol
-If you have diabetes, make sure your blood glucose levels are well controlled


Remember there are health professionals out there who can assist you along the way, and having a good relationship with your GP is often the best start to compiling a team who can support and guide you towards optimal health.

For more information on kidney disease, including numerous fact sheets and links to more information, please visit Kidney Health Australia today at www.kidney.org.au
Or call the Kidney Health Info Line on free number 1800 682 531