Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to function properly.
It increases the risk of complications, including heart disease and premature death. In our age of nearly limitless information, it can be hard to sift through information to recognise what’s true and what’s false.
Patients who venture outside of mainstream medicine in search of other options are confronted with confusing and often contradictory information, much of which is inappropriate to their situation. When there is a vacuum of sound medical advice, the internet often fills in the gaps.
The patient at least feels they are doing something and not just passively waiting to go on dialysis. However, some good advice is usually mixed with a lot of bad advice.
There are many myths about chronic kidney disease passed around through word of mouth and on the internet, but we’re here to correct some of those misconceptions.
Myth 1: Kidney disease is a rare condition
According to Texas Kidney Institute these 7 myths have no scientific evidence.
You may be surprised to learn just how common kidney disease is. What puts you at risk? Having high blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of kidney failure, and being over 60 years are major risk factors for kidney disease. Being African-American/Black, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian, or Pacific Islander also increases your risk.
Myth 2: You will know if you have kidney disease
Unfortunately, most people who have kidney disease don’t know it. Why not? Because in the early stages of kidney disease, most people do not have any symptoms. Symptoms may not appear until kidney disease is in the advanced stages. The best way to find out if you have kidney disease is to get tested—and once you are diagnosed there are many steps you can take to reduce the progression of the disease.
Myth 3: Testing for kidney disease is a long and costly process
Testing for kidney disease is surprisingly easy. It can be done with two simple, inexpensive tests during a routine visit with your healthcare provider.
- A simple urine test to check for protein in your urine. Having a small amount of protein in your urine can be a sign of kidney disease.
- A simple blood test to estimate GFR (glomerular filtration rate). Your GFR number tells you how well your kidneys are working.
Myth 4: If you are at risk for kidney disease, there is nothing you can do about it
Not everyone who is at risk will get kidney disease. You can help protect your kidneys. Eat healthy, get regular exercise, control blood pressure and blood sugar, keep a healthy weight, quit smoking, and don’t overuse pain medications like ibuprofen. All these steps will help you keep your kidneys healthy and lessen your chances of getting kidney disease.
Myth 5: No one knows what causes kidney disease
The two most common causes of kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure. Both can harm your kidneys by causing damage to the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys. Many other conditions can harm the kidneys. These include:
- Heart disease
- Glomerulonephritis, a disease that causes inflammation in the kidneys
- Diseases you are born with, like polycystic kidney disease, which causes cysts to form in the kidneys
Myth 6: The only treatment for kidney disease is dialysis
Not everyone with kidney disease needs dialysis. Kidney disease is a progressive disease. In its early stages, it is usually managed with exercise, diet, and medication. With this approach, most people can slow or stop the progression of kidney disease and enjoy a normal lifestyle. That’s why it’s so important to find and treat kidney disease early. Dialysis or a kidney transplant is only needed if your kidney disease gets worse and progresses to kidney failure.
Myth 7: Dialysis lasts for a lifetime
Your kidneys might stop working for a short time due to a disease or injury. While your kidneys recover, you need to support them by taking up dialysis. However, once they have regained their previous state of functionality, there is no reason to continue undergoing dialysis. However, in cases of severe kidney damage, you might be put on dialysis permanently or could even go for kidney transplantation.
Meanwhile, Asaase Radio has launched the Asaase Kidney Care Campaign to mark its first anniversary.
The Accra-based, pan-African-focused multimedia station, which has affiliates across Ghana, will be hosting a charity ball at the Omanye Hall (Labadi Beach Hotel) on 26 February to raise funds for a dialysis machine.
The focus of the Asaase Kidney Care Campaign is to educate the public about kidney health and to raise money for a dialysis machine, which will be donated to a health facility in Ghana.
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