People with any of the following conditions should ask their physician to assess their risk for kidney disease.

• Diabetes or family history of diabetes
• High blood pressure or a family history of high blood pressure
• Family history of kidney disease
• Advanced age
  

Testing for kidney disease is simple. Patients undergo a thorough physical examination and have a blood and urine test.

Kidney disease frequently occurs as a complication of longstanding diabetes or high blood pressure. Together these diseases account for more than half of all cases of chronic kidney disease in the United States. Other causes include inflammation within the kidney or genetic factors.

Yes, because it can:

• Increase the risk of heart disease
• Cause high blood pressure
• Cause abnormalities in the level of minerals in the blood
• Cause fluid to accumulate in the body
• Cause anemia (abnormally low red blood cell count)

Recent studies show that more than half of all people with kidney disease in its earliest, most treatable stage don’t know that they have it. That’s why screening is so important. In addition, identifying and treating patients early can prevent disease-related complications.

Someone may have kidney disease without any symptoms. However, as the disease gets worse, a patient might experience:

• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Itchy skin
• Difficulty sleeping
• Swollen ankles