Understanding the gravity of kidney disease in the U.S.
Did you know that kidney disease is the 9th leading cause of death in our country? With this concerning number on the plate, there’s no wonder that one in three Americans is at risk of developing kidney disease. Approximately 37 million American adults already have kidney disease, but, unfortunately, the vast majority of them don’t know it.
Our kidneys have to deal with many essential tasks such as filtering waste products, controlling the fluids in our bodies, producing urine, releasing certain hormones that regulate our blood pressure, and many more. Sadly, these vital organs are put at risk in numerous ways.
We can actually compare our kidneys with a dartboard: they are hit from many directions. Although genetics, obesity, gender, smoking, and age can maximize your risk of developing kidney disease, the most common ones are, of course, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Now, considering that about 30 million American adults have diabetes, do you think that kidney disease is not something to worry about? Well… think again! When left untreated, blood sugar and high blood pressure can harm the blood vessels found in your kidneys. This uncontrolled damage will eventually reduce your kidneys’ natural ability to function properly.
As a result, waste will eventually build up in your blood, including the one that comes from food. This is why people who suffer from kidney disease must follow a certain diet.
