GENESEO, N.Y., Mar. 6, 2023 – March is National Kidney Month and the Livingston County Department of Health is encouraging residents to take steps to understand their kidney health and to schedule a routine screen to detect kidney disease.
One of the leading causes of death in the United States, kidney disease is known as the “silent disease” as it rarely exhibits signs or symptoms in its early stages, however, swelling of the face, hands, abdomen, ankles and feet, blood in urine or a foamy urine, puffy eyes, difficult, painful urination, increased thirst and extreme fatigue may be signs of a kidney-related ailment. Additionally, those with diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of kidney-related ailments may be at a higher risk to develop kidney disease. Those over the age of 60 may also have an increased risk.
One of the most important organs in the human body, the kidneys filter the blood roughly every 30 minutes. They remove toxins and excess fluid, control blood pressure, stimulate red blood cell production and are essential to life.
One of the more prevalent diseases in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that 1-in-7, or roughly 15 percent of adults have some form of chronic kidney disease. The CDC also estimates that as many as 9-in-10 adults with the affliction do not know they have it. Chronic Kidney Disease can lead to a variety of other health issues including stroke and heart disease along with an increased occurrence of infections, anemia, depression and a lower quality of life, weak bones and nerve damage.
Learn more about kidney disease by visiting the Centers for Disease Control’s website or by speaking with a healthcare professional.
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is comprised of more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.