Today Is World Kidney Day
(NPN) — Today is World Kidney Day, a day to promote kidney health and its importance to overall health.
In South Dakota, approximately 713 people are on kidney dialysis because their kidneys don’t function properly, according to the Dialysis Patient Citizens organization. There stand alone or in-hospital dialysis clinics in Mitchell, Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Rosebud, Sharps Corner, Brookings, Madison, Watertown, Sisseton, Aberdeen, Pierre, Gregory, Yankton, Hot Springs, Spearfish, Huron, Chamberlain, Eagle Butte and Pine Ridge.
Dialysis treatment options include in-center hemodialysis, home peritoneal dialysis and home hemo dialysis.
Nationally, approximately 26 million Americans have some form of chronic kidney disease, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific islands, Native Americans and seniors are the groups most at risk for kidney disease, according to NKF.
This World Kidney Day, the emphasis is on seniors and kidney disease.
“The two main causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure, which are responsible for up to two-thirds of the cases,” according to NKF at its website, kidney.org. “Diabetes happens when your blood sugar is too high, causing damage to many organs in your body, including the kidneys and heart, as well as blood vessels, nerves and eyes.”
The group says there are three simple tests to determine kidney disease or having a risk for kidney disease: blood pressure, urine albumin and serum creatinine.
One event planned for World Kidney Day in South Dakota is a radio show appearance by kidney health care professionals and a dialysis patient. Nephrologist Dr. Rich Jensen, Davita Sioux Falls Dialysis facility administrator Dr. Donna Osment and one of the clinic’s patients will appear on KSOO-AM’s “Viewpoint University” program at 4:30 p.m. today.
To take an online kidney health self-assessment, go to http://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/selfAssessmentQuiz.cfm.