GV Health clinical director and nephrologist Dr Anil Xavier has stressed the importance of regular checks to look for kidney disease.
There are two main types of kidney disease: acute kidney injury, where the kidneys regain function, which is usually seen in acutely unwell patients in hospital, and chronic kidney disease, where there is a permanent loss of function.
Chronic kidney disease is usually without symptoms and picked up on routine testing.
Dr Anil said that while it was common, if left untreated it could be deadly.
“Around one in three ‘at-risk’ Australians are at an increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease,” he said.
“Early detection allows for disease care and management to help prevent poor outcomes.”
Those particularly at risk of developing chronic kidney disease are people who are overweight or obese, aged over 60, smokers, people suffering from cardiovascular disease or diabetes, people with a history of acute kidney disease or people with a family history of kidney failure.
There is also a particular risk for people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin, with one in five First Nations people having chronic kidney disease.
They are also four times more likely to die from kidney disease.
Dr Anil recommends that if any of these risk factors apply to you, to speak to your healthcare provider.
“If you do have any of these risk factors, speak to your doctor for a kidney health check every one to two years,” he said.
“The kidney health check is a three-point check, where your doctor will test your urine for protein, test your blood for creatinine and take your blood pressure.”
Kidney disease can be prevented by keeping your kidneys healthy.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including eating a balanced diet and engaging in regular exercise, as well as quitting smoking, minimising alcohol consumption and drinking more water, can all help to reduce your risks.
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