Diabetes, high blood pressure take toll on kidneys

Diabetes leads the pack as the cause of 45 percent of all new cases of kidney failure, according to Rob Gordon, a social worker with Dialysis Center Inc. in Kalispell.

High blood pressure ranks second, causing 27 percent of new cases. Like stealthy killers, these diseases and others, left unchecked, silently devastate the kidneys.

"Most people don't have symptoms that their kidneys are failing until they're 80 to 90 percent gone," Gordon said.

Symptoms of advanced kidney disease include swelling, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, decreased appetite, blood in the urine or foamy urine.

Gordon encouraged people to take preventive care of these vital organs as well as consider signing up as organ donors. Transplants possibilities after death include all major organs as well as skin, tendons, ligaments, corneas and more.

"You as a human being can give this great gift," Gordon said. "One donor may help eight or nine people or more. It's every impactful."

Montanans may sign up when they renew their driver's licenses or sign donor cards. Gordon has cards at the Dialysis Center at 135 Commons Way in Kalispell or www.transplants.org offers a downloadable version.

He wanted to dispel myths such as hospitals not trying as hard to save a donor's life, donors getting charged for expenses or organ removal precluding an open casket funeral.

"They are very respectful about how it's done," Gordon said. "They know what your wishes are."

In the case of kidneys, people have the unique option of making a living donation since humans have two but may live with just one healthy kidney.

Located on either side of the spine, these fist-size organs filter and chemically balance the blood while releasing hormones that regulate blood pressure, make red blood cells and promote strong bones. Preventive screening goes a long way toward catching problems before damage occurs.

"It's pretty easy - just simple urine and blood tests," Gordon said.

The urine test measures the ratio of a protein (albumin) to a waste product (creatinine) while a blood test called glomerular filtration rate measures how well the kidneys filter creatinine from the blood.

Lifestyle changes supporting kidney health include limiting salt and analgesics such as ibuprofen along with getting exercise, not smoking, drinking moderately and controlling weight.

The National Kidney Foundation recommends annual physicals to include monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels.