World Kidney Day — March 14 this year — is a worldwide awareness campaign that aims to draw attention to kidney disease. Yet another awareness campaign? Yes, we’re afraid so. But this one isn’t pointless. Kidney disease affects a lot of people throughout the globe, and around 10 percent of US adults.
Because the symptoms are initially so vague, many people have no idea they suffer from kidney disease until it has reached a serious stage and complications can no longer be prevented. Could you be one of them? Check this infographic out, and ask yourself some serious questions.
Your kidneys don't ever take a vacation — they work hard to cleanse your blood, 24/7. Did you know that 50 gallons of blood are filtered through 140 miles of kidney tubes every single day? That's right, your entire blood supply filters through these bean-shaped organs 12 times an hour.
If they don't work properly, you have a serious problem. Sometimes, the only symptoms of kidney disease are so vague that it's easy to brush them off entirely. In tha later stages, they include:
- Loss of appetite and corresponding weight changes
- Swollen feet, ankles, and hands
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Blood in the urine
- Muscle cramps
- Itchy skin
- Feeling nauseous
Have yourself checked out immediately if you notice any of these warning signs! You never know; it could save your life!