1/10 Americans have kidney disease – learn top two risk factors now

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. –  March is National Kidney Month, and one Bowling Green hospital wants to raise awareness about Chronic Kidney Disease.

The National Institutes of Health reports that Chronic Kidney Disease affects 37 million people in the U.S.

Med Center Health says one in 10 Americans have kidney disease, but only 10 percent of those people even know they have it.

Nephrologist Dr. Jennifer Shuemaker says the disease shows no symptoms, but the top two factors that put you at risk are diabetes and high blood pressure. 

Regular checkups with lab work and urine samples are the best way to catch kidney disease early, according to Shuemaker.

“It’s very imperative to know that you have it so that we can make sure you’re on medicines to help prolong the life of your kidneys,” said Shuemaker. 

She says stopping smoking, exercising and watching your food are all ways to help your kidneys, too.

Shuemaker says fortunately only a small number of people with chronic kidney disease go into kidney failure.