Image

11:40 AM / Thursday March 28, 2024

6 Feb 2010

Preventing kidney disease

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
February 6, 2010 Category: Health Posted by:

By Larry Lucas

Each February, we take time to honor our community’s great leaders, both past and present. Many, like Martin Luther King, Jr., overcame great obstacles and adversity to achieve their dreams. Today, we cannot continue to let our health be one of those obstacles. This month, take some time out to honor your body by taking steps to manage and prevent chronic conditions that could lead to more serious illnesses such as kidney disease.

 

According to the National Kidney Foundation, one in nine Americans has kidney disease, a condition that damages your kidneys and keeps them from performing normal functions. Kidney disease and several chronic conditions are interrelated: for example, high blood pressure and diabetes can lead to kidney disease and complicate it further. With 3.7 million African Americans aged 20 years or older living with diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we must be more aware of the dangers of this condition. Even one of my favorite basketball stars, Alonzo Mourning of the Miami Heat, wasn’t aware he had kidney disease until he became very ill. Alonzo had to quit the NBA to receive a life-saving kidney transplant. After receiving the proper treatment, he is living a healthy life today and educating others on the dangers of this disease.

 

Kidney disease often progresses so slowly that many of those who have it, like Alonzo, are unaware of it until the condition is in its advanced stages. However, there are several minor symptoms people with kidney disease might notice before they are diagnosed. They may feel tired, have trouble sleeping or have to urinate more often than others, particularly at night. They may also notice swollen feet or ankles and muscle cramping at night.

 

Kidney disease can happen any age, making it vital for children, teens and adults to take care of themselves and fight against risk factors. With kidney disease being the ninth leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the CDC, everyone should take the time to look at the risk factors and see where they stand.

 

Thankfully, there are several steps you can take to prevent kidney disease. And, many of these steps help you fight off related conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, which is all the more reason to take action!

 

Get plenty of regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight and avoid alcohol and cigarettes. Also, be sure to get your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked regularly and follow-up with your doctor if any of these levels are high since you may need additional tests.

 

Finally, be sure to take any blood pressure or diabetes medication your doctor prescribes for you.

 

Blood pressure and diabetes medication can be a life saver for those who need it to prevent kidney disease and related conditions, but medicine such as this means nothing if those who need it most can’t afford it.

 

Patients who need help accessing prescriptions can turn to the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA), which has connected 6 million patients in need to programs that provide free or nearly free medicines. For more information, patients can call 1-888-4PPA-NOW or visit www.pparx.org.

 

As we reflect on our great leaders during Black History Month, be a leader in your family and community by keeping yourself healthy and spreading the word for others to do the same.

 

Larry Lucas is a vice president for Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Leave a Comment

Recent News

Philly NAACP

March 24, 2024

March 17, 2024

Tweet Email Tweet Email Related Posts Philadelphia Judicial Primary Candidates At A Glance Guide Philadelphia Judicial Candidates...

Commentary

cj speaks…The call to order

March 23, 2024

Tweet Email Philadelphia’s recent travesties continue to be highlighted in the news: the ongoing shooting incidents, train...

Health

Combatting loneliness in older adults

March 17, 2024

Tweet Email FAMILY FEATURES The bonds found in friendships and other relationships are an important factor in...

Home and Garden

So, You want to build a retaining wall: 6 things to know before you start

March 3, 2024

Tweet Email BPT When you want to enhance your outdoor living space, consider building with retaining wall...

Fur Babies Rule!

Dog grooming advice to keep pets clean and healthy

March 2, 2024

Tweet Email FAMILY FEATURESRegular grooming can keep your dog looking and smelling his or her best, but...

Seniors

‘Soaring’ over hills or ‘playing’ with puppies, study finds seniors enjoy virtual reality

February 23, 2024

Tweet Email By Terry Spencerassociated press POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — Retired Army Col. Farrell Patrick taught computer...

The Philadelphia Sunday Sun Staff