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Kidney
Research
UK
has produced an informative booklet to brief people about the disease
but also bring the disease to the fore front of people’s minds as it
is often given less exposure than diseases such as diabetes which is a
direct cause of Chronic Kidney Disease. The booklet covers a basic guide
to how kidneys work, symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and the
treatment options available.
One
case study which illustrates the point well is that of Mrs Beverley
Maynard. During a routine eye examination the optician noticed something
wrong and she went to hospital for tests where she discovered she was
suffering from kidney failure. Both Beverley’s husband and brother
were identified as a match for a transplant and in 2000 Beverley
received a kidney from her husband.
No
doubt there are many such cases just waiting to be revealed.
About
CKD
CKD,
which affects over 3 million people in the
UK
, is difficult to detect early, as sufferers often display no symptoms,
although people with high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes and
certain ethnic groups. Kidney disease is particularly prevalent amongst
black and Asian communities. No one knows why, but South Asian and
African/Caribbean people are 3 to 5 times more likely to suffer kidney
failure than white Caucasians. One current high profile case in
point is Melissa Bell, soul singer and mother of Alexandra Burke, who
undergoes dialysis herself and is seeking a transplant. The
screenings currently being undertaken in
London
,
Birmingham
and
Oldham
are specifically designed to raise awareness of this potentially fatal
disease and target, amongst others South Asian and African/Caribbeans,
for screening and hopefully early diagnosis. With early detection,
treatment options are greater and the disease can be managed.
About
Kidney Research
UK
For
over 40 years, Kidney Research
UK
has been the
UK
’s leading kidney charity, funding research into the prevention,
treatment, and management of kidney diseases. It also dedicates its work
to patient care and educational initiatives.
Kidney Research UK
King's Chambersd
Priestgate
Peterborough, PE1 1FG
Kidney Health
Information: kidneyhealth@kidneyresearchuk.org
(9/1/09)
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