National Kidney Month 2023
March is National Kidney Month! Did you know kidney disease is often referred to as a “silent disease,” because there are usually no symptoms during its early stages? In fact, as many as 90% of Americans who have chronic kidney disease (CKD) don’t know they have the disease until it is very advanced.
The good news is the earlier you find out you have kidney disease, the sooner you can take steps to protect your kidneys from further damage. Protecting your kidneys may allow you to continue to work, spend time with family and friends, stay physically active, and do other things you enjoy.
Finding out if your kidneys are struggling before you have symptoms gives you the opportunity to make changes to help keep your kidneys healthier for longer. Even if you have symptoms, you can take steps to slow the disease.
Take Steps to Help Protect Your Kidneys, and Have More Healthy Moments
Know Your Risk
Even if you feel healthy, if you are over 60 or have risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, consider talking with your doctor about getting tested for kidney disease. Your doctor can use your test results to work with you to develop a kidney care plan. Having a plan may reduce your risk for serious health problems, like heart attack and stroke, and give you more healthy moments.
Schedule Your Test
Your doctor will use two quick tests to check for kidney disease—a urine test to check for damage and a blood test to check how well your kidneys are removing wastes from your blood. If your kidneys show signs of damage, your doctor may refer you to a kidney specialist, called a nephrologist, or recommend annual or more frequent testing.
Follow Your Kidney Health
Your doctor can work with you to create a treatment or monitoring plan that fits your lifestyle, mobility, health status, and dietary needs. Your plan may include managing your existing risk factors for kidney disease, collaborating with a registered dietician to create a meal plan, or getting help to quit smoking. Because chronic kidney disease is progressive, it is very important to continue to follow your kidney health and to update your care plan as needed.
Learn More About Following Your Kidney Health
- Preventing Chronic Kidney Disease
- Chronic Kidney Disease Tests & Diagnosis
- Managing Chronic Kidney Disease
Share the Message on Social Media
Click anywhere on the NIDDK social media messages below to then like and share the posts on your Facebook and Twitter pages.
March is National #KidneyMonth! Finding kidney disease early and following your kidney health may mean more healthy moments!
— NIDDK (@NIDDKgov) February 23, 2023
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This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
(NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. The NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by the NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts.