Chronic kidney disease develops silently. By the time symptoms like swelling, fatigue or changes in urination appear, a significant amount of kidney function may already be lost, which is why protecting your kidneys depends on knowing your risk factors, not waiting for symptoms.
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes of chronic kidney disease worldwide, together responsible for the majority of cases that eventually progress to needing dialysis. Managing blood sugar and blood pressure well is one of the most effective ways to protect kidney function over the long term.
If you live with diabetes or hypertension, ask your doctor about routine kidney function tests as part of your regular check-ups. Early detection gives our care team far more options than a late-stage diagnosis does.
Photo: Fquasie, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
