THERE are concerns that hundreds of thousands of Australians are oblivious to having the early stages of kidney disease.
Kidney disease is a serious disease that affects up to 1.7 million Australians.
The incidence of kidney disease in Australia is growing, with the number of Australians receiving kidney replacement therapy (dialysis or transplant) more than doubling over 20 years to 27,700 in 2020, according to the latest Australian Institute of Health Welfare report released recently.
Chronic kidney disease refers to conditions of the kidney affecting the filtration and removal of waste from the blood for three months or more. The AIHW report, Chronic kidney disease: Australian facts, shows 14,600 Australians receiving kidney replacement therapy were on dialysis; and 13,100 had functioning kidney transplants that required ongoing follow up care.
Chronic kidney disease is a growing public health issue and about one in three Australians has an increased risk of developing this disease, compounded with the growing ageing population.
Kidney failure is the most severe form of chronic kidney disease and occurs when the kidneys can no longer function adequately, at which point people require either dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. Chronic kidney disease is called a ‘silent disease’ as often there are no warning signs and it is not uncommon for people to lose up to 90% of their kidney function before any symptoms are apparent. Chronic kidney disease is mostly diagnosed at more advanced stages when symptoms become more apparent. Chronic kidney disease is largely preventable because many of its risk factors – high blood pressure, tobacco smoking and overweight and obesity – are modifiable. Chronic kidney disease is detected early and managed appropriately, the decline in kidney function can be reduced and might even be reversible. Symptoms can include high blood pressure, changes in the amount and number of times urine is passed, changes in the appearance of urine, blood in urine, puffiness in legs, ankles or around eyes, tiredness and nausea.
