The BC Renal Agency, BC Transplant and The Kidney Foundation of Canada – BC Branch would like to dispel misconceptions about kidney disease, and offer simple tips that can help British Columbians better maintain their kidney health.
• Myth – Kidney disease is a rare condition.
One in 10 Canadians lives with some level of kidney disease and the number continues to rise. In British Columbia, kidney disease is one of the province’s fastest growing illnesses. During the past 10 years, the number of British Columbians affected by the disease has increased by 60 per cent.
• Myth – There’s nothing you can do about getting kidney disease.
Your chance of developing kidney disease involves both genetic and lifestyle factors. People with high blood pressure or heart disease are at higher risk for developing kidney disease.
However, that risk can be significantly reduced by following the dietary recommendations of Canada’s Food Guide and getting regular exercise.
First Nations people, Asians, Africans and Pacific Islanders are also at higher risk for developing kidney disease, as are people with a family history of the disease.
• Myth – If you have kidney disease, you will know it.
Kidney disease is a “silent” disease, with virtually no detectable symptoms in its early stages. A person can lose more than 90 per cent of their kidney function before symptoms appear, and those symptoms, such as tiredness and appetite loss, can easily be mistaken for something much less serious.
Some people don’t notice any symptoms until they reach the final stage of the disease, when their kidneys are unable to function and dialysis or a kidney transplant is necessary for survival.
• Myth – Kidney disease is difficult to manage and treat.
Kidney disease is a progressive illness that generally gets worse over time. In its early stages, the disease can usually be managed with medication, careful attention to diet and regular exercise. With this approach, many people can slow the progression of their disease and enjoy a normal lifestyle.
However, in the final stage of the disease, the only treatment option is kidney replacement therapy through dialysis or kidney transplant.
• Myth – People who need a kidney transplant face longer wait times than ever.
Of the more than 490 people on the BC Transplant wait-list, 384 are currently waiting for a kidney. Recent innovative approaches to organ donation have actually reduced the wait time for kidney transplants. Between 2011 and 2012, the median wait time for a kidney transplant in B.C. dropped by about 30 per cent, from 62 to 44 months.