Kidney diseases affect 600 million people worldwide — approximately one in ten people.
Kidney diseases are called silent killers because there may be no symptoms until kidney failure. Then it is too late for treatment and the only way to stay alive is through lifetime dialysis — or transplantation, for the lucky few who manage to find a donor.
Thursday is World Kidney Day, which is meant to educate and raise awareness about kidney diseases, said Gerald Groggel, M.D., chief of nephrology, in the department of internal medicine.
Most cases of kidney disease are caused by diabetes and high blood pressure, he said, but in some cases it is caused by the immunosuppressant drugs people take after an organ transplant.
Such is the case for Sam Amato, owner of Omaha’s Amato’s Restaurant, who developed kidney disease after a liver transplant.
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Sam Amato, right, owner of Amato’s Restaurant, visits with UNMC’s Gerald Groggel, M.D. Amato developed kidney disease after a liver transplant in 2001. |
If it weren’t for routine blood work, Amato said he might never have known his liver was diseased. The same can be said for his kidney.
Three years after his liver transplant, Amato went in for a routine blood draw. His doctors were once again concerned.
After taking immunosuppressant drugs, Amato’s kidneys were showing signs of distress. Since his liver was stable, Amato stopped taking the drugs and his kidneys stabilized.
But his doctor still keeps close tabs on his kidney.
“It’s so important for people to get screened for kidney disease, especially those who have diabetes or hypertension,” Dr. Groggel said.
Statistics provided by Worldkidneyday.org.