Op-ed: Get in the know about kidney disease

As students head back to school for a new year, it’s also a good time for adults to ‘go back’ to their health basics with an annual checkup. Just as kids need vaccinations and physicals to stay healthy, adults need screenings, including kidney health tests, to catch silent conditions early and maintain vitality in their busy lives.

Kidney disease is a health issue that is more common than most people realize. As a nephrologist, I encounter many patients and families who are surprised to learn that kidney disease affects about 1 in 7 adults in the U.S., making it anything but rare.

Unfortunately, widespread confusion about kidney disease often prevents early detection and effective treatment. Addressing these misunderstandings is critical to improving public health.

Millions of Americans are living with some degree of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and many more are at risk due to factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, age and family history. Recognizing its true frequency is the first step toward better awareness and prevention.

Many assume that pain or obvious symptoms will signal a problem, but CKD often progresses in silence. In early and even moderate stages, most people feel perfectly fine and notice no changes in their health. By the time symptoms like fatigue, swelling, or changes in urination emerge, the disease may already be advanced. This “silent progression” is why regular check-ups are important, especially for those with risk factors.

There are widespread misconceptions about what puts the kidneys in danger. Many people think dehydration or not drinking enough water is the major cause of kidney disease. While staying hydrated is healthy, the primary risk factors, as stated, are diabetes and high blood pressure, two very common chronic conditions. Genetics and lifestyle also play significant roles, but simply drinking more water will not prevent CKD if underlying conditions are left uncontrolled.

Another frequent misconception is that kidney stones and temporary kidney injuries automatically lead to CKD. While these issues can sometimes contribute to lasting damage, most people who experience a kidney stone or an episode of acute kidney injury do not go on to develop permanent kidney failure. Ongoing issues usually only arise when the injury is severe or when other risk factors are present.

Testing for kidney disease is neither difficult nor expensive. Two simple, low-cost tests – a blood test to estimate kidney function and a urine test for protein – can reliably identify early kidney problems. These can be performed during a routine visit to your healthcare provider. Ask for these tests.

Many think that if you are diagnosed with kidney disease, little can be done aside from waiting for dialysis. This is untrue and needlessly discouraging. For most patients, early detection allows for lifestyle changes, blood pressure and blood sugar control, and medication adjustments that can significantly slow or even halt progression to dialysis. Dialysis or a transplant is only needed in the most advanced cases, often after years or decades of earlier-stage disease.

Another myth worth dispelling is the belief that you need two kidneys to live a normal, healthy life. Some people are born with one kidney, or donate a kidney and go on to enjoy full, active lives.

If you have risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease, talk to your doctor about simple screening tools. Prevention and early intervention are key. With knowledge and action, we can confront kidney disease head-on and reduce the burden on our families and communities.

Dr. Jimmy Thomas is a board-certified nephrologist with Washington Kidney Care in Bellingham. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and pursued fellowship training at the University of Washington. He holds a master’s degree in public health in epidemiology from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center.