More than 30 million American adults have chronic kidney disease, and millions more are at risk due to diabetes and high blood pressure, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Chronic kidney disease is a gradual loss of kidney function. Your kidneys filter wastes and excess fluids from your blood, which are then flushed from the body in your urine. When chronic kidney disease reaches an advanced stage, dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and wastes can build up in your body. In the early stages of chronic kidney disease, you may have few signs or symptoms. The only way to find out for sure whether you have chronic kidney disease is through blood and urine tests. If untreated, chronic kidney disease can lead to nerve damage, weakened bones, cardiovascular disease and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
March is National Kidney Month — an awareness effort to encourage people who are at risk of chronic kidney disease, often due to diabetes or high blood pressure, to get screened. On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Ladan Zand, a Mayo Clinic nephrologist, will discuss chronic kidney disease and offer tips to keep your kidneys healthy. Also on the program, Dr. Valeria Cristiani, a Mayo Clinic pediatrician, will discuss fluoride varnish and oral health for children. And Dr. Dawn Davis, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist, will explain the importance of sunscreen to protect against sun damage.
To hear the program, find an affiliate in your area.
Miss the show? Here's the Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.
Use the hashtag #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.
Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.
Access archived shows or subscribe to the podcast.
Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.
