It’s a life-changing disease that affects one in 10 Brits, with around 3.9 million of those estimated to be in the early stages, but because there are either no symptoms – or the symptoms can be brushed aside – not all patients know they have it. It’s so serious the World Health Organisation adopted a global resolution last year to recognise its scale and prioritise it alongside stroke, diabetes and cancer.
And leading charities have categorised it as a “health emergency” that’s estimated to cost the UK economy £7billion per year. But despite these shocking statistics, kidney disease remains a silent assassin. It is frequently undiagnosed and shows either no symptoms, or ones that can be dismissed as a bug or a virus, so many people are unaware they have the condition until they reach kidney failure. This can then result in the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant.
In order to raise awareness of kidney disease and the impact it has on sufferers and their families, Kidney Research UK has launched its By Your Side campaign to encourage everyone – and particularly people who might be at a greater risk of developing the condition – to use their free, simple online kidney health checker in order to detect any signs of kidney disease as soon as possible.
Dr Sam Lawes, director of research development and partnerships at Kidney Research UK, explains: “We know that around one in 10 people in the UK are living with kidney disease, but many don’t realise they have it because the condition often causes no symptoms in its early stages. These can include weight loss or loss of appetite, swollen hands, feet or ankles, shortness of breath, tiredness, itchy skin, nausea, blood in the urine and needing to urinate more frequently, particularly at night.
“Almost everyone is familiar with conditions such as cancer, heart disease and dementia,but awareness of kidney disease remains surprisingly low,”Dr Lawes adds. That’s a major concern because early diagnosis can make a significant difference to long-term outcomes.
“If you’re worried about your kidney health, or are experiencing symptoms that don’t go away, speak to your GP. Simple blood and urine tests can identify signs of kidney disease and determine whether any further investigationsare needed.
“We’re encouraging everyone to take our free online kidney health check. It takes just a few minutes to complete and asks 11 simple questions about your health and risk factors. You’ll receive an indication of your risk of kidney disease and advice on whether you should consider speaking to your GP about further testing,” says Dr Lawes.
While kidney disease can affect anyone, there are certain groups who are at higher risk of developing the condition. This includes people with diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity as well as people from minority groups, especially those of South Asian heritage. For people in these groups, protecting your kidney health and getting checked by your GP, if necessary, is essential.
Dr Lawes adds: “There are steps people can take toprotect their kidney health. Maintaining a healthy weight is important, as obesity increases the risk of kidney disease. High blood pressure and diabetes are also major risk factors, so managing these conditions effectively can help reduce the risk of kidney damage.
“Some risk factors are beyond our control, including genetics, family history, certain medications, and being from ethnic groups known to be at higher risk of kidney disease. For people in these groups, understanding your risk and getting checked when appropriate is especially important.“The earlier kidney disease is identified, the greater the opportunity to slow or prevent progression, helping people stay healthier for longer and reducing the likelihood of needing dialysis or a kidney transplant in the future.”
For further information and the free kidney health check, visit kidneyresearchuk.org/by-your-side
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
