Tampa doctors stress awareness with kidney disease on the rise
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — March is National Kidney Month, and doctors at Tampa General Hospital are stressing the importance of kidney health.
It comes as the number of people being diagnosed with kidney disease is on the rise.
More than 37 million Americans are currently living with the disease, and 9 out of 10 people who have the disease don’t know it. Warning signs can include high blood pressure and changes in how frequently you need to use the restroom.
Kidney disease is often called a silent killer because many people are unaware they have it until it’s too late.
“Usually, kidney failure causes symptoms once the function is down to 10 to 15 percent,” said Dr. Rajendra Baliga. “Most patients are taken completely unaware of them having kidney problems until it’s significantly down the line.”
Black and Hispanic adults are at a higher risk of developing kidney disease, as are people already diagnosed with diabetes.
The good news is kidney function is easily checked through simple blood or urine tests, so doctors say it’s important to stay on top of regular physicals. They also stress the importance of becoming an organ donor. More than 90 thousand Americans who need a kidney transplant are on a waiting list.
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