Fresenius Medical Care Urges People with Diabetes or High Blood Pressure to Learn About Kidney Disease on World Kidney Day
March 10 2011 - 9:00AM
Business Wire
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes of
chronic kidney disease (CKD), a health problem that is growing at
an alarming rate in the United States. There are 26 million
Americans who have CKD, and millions more are at increased risk and
may not even know it. On World Kidney Day, Fresenius Medical Care
North America (FMCNA), the nation’s leading network of dialysis
facilities, encourages those at risk for CKD to diagnose and treat
high blood pressure and diabetes, because these conditions can lead
to life-threatening kidney failure.
Chronic kidney disease is a progressive, usually permanent loss
of kidney function. When CKD leads to kidney failure, or end stage
renal disease (ESRD), the only treatments are a kidney transplant
or dialysis.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Diseases, research indicates that high blood pressure,
which affects about 74 million Americans, is the most important
predictor for diabetics developing chronic kidney disease. In
addition, diabetes is the single leading cause of kidney failure in
the U.S., accounting for about 44 percent of the people who start
treatment for kidney failure each year.
Kidney disease disproportionately affects African-Americans,
Hispanics, Asians, American Indians and senior citizens, and being
overweight also increases the chances of developing CKD. There is a
correlation, because these groups are at higher risk for diabetes
and high blood pressure.
FMCNA has created several education programs to help inform
patients and their families to better understand CKD and treatment
options. The company's Treatment Options Program (TOPs) educational
sessions are open to the public at no cost, and provide information
about kidney disease management and the treatments available when
CKD leads to kidney failure. To find a class near you, call
toll-free 1-877-TOPS-LIFE (1-877-867-7543) or visit
www.ultracare-dialysis.com/TOPS (in English and Spanish).
"If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, you need to
understand your risks and get regular screenings. Often there are
no symptoms of kidney disease until it is at an advanced stage and
close to requiring treatment with either dialysis or a kidney
transplant," said Franklin W. Maddux, M.D., FACP, senior vice
president and chief medical information officer at FMCNA.
Early detection and treatment can help prevent further kidney
damage and slow the progression of kidney disease.
Tips if you are at risk for CKD:
- Educate yourself now about CKD.
- Have blood, urine and blood pressure
checked at least once a year.
- Control high blood pressure.
- Make positive changes in your diet.
Meet with a trained dietitian to help with meal planning.
- Exercise regularly. According to the
National Kidney Foundation, walking, swimming and bicycling are the
most recommended exercises because you are moving large muscle
groups continuously.
- If you smoke, quit. Smoking makes
kidney disease get worse faster.
About Fresenius Medical Care
Fresenius Medical Care (NYSE: FMS) is the world’s leading
company devoted to patient-oriented renal therapy. Through more
than 2,700 clinics in North America, Europe, Latin America,
Asia-Pacific and Africa, we provide kidney dialysis treatments to
approximately 210,000 patients worldwide. We are also the world's
leading maker of dialysis products such as hemodialysis machines,
dialyzers and related disposable products. Chronic kidney failure
is a condition that affects about 1.9 million individuals
worldwide.
For more information about the company’s more than 1,800 U.S.
dialysis facilities, visit www.ultracare-dialysis.com (in English
and Spanish). For more information about Fresenius Medical Care,
visit www.fmc-ag.com or www.fmcna.com.
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