By: Dr. Chima Oleru Board Certified Nephrologist Kidney disease
is a silent disease in its initial stages because millions of
people who have lost more than half of their kidney function are
not even aware of it. Even though it is a silent disease in its
early stages, untreated patients ultimately develop
malnutrition, bone disease, heart failure and end stage renal
disease ( i.e. need for dialysis or kidney transplant).
Fortunately, medications known as ACE inhibitors or ARB
blockers, if started early, may delay development of heart
failure or end stage renal disease and need for dialysis. Also
strict control of blood pressure to below 130/80 may slow down
progression of kidney disease. End stage renal disease (need for
dialysis or kidney transplant) currently affects close to
400,000 people in the US and it is estimated that in the year
2010 this number will be more than 650,000 people. Approximately
20% of people with end stage renal disease and on dialysis die
each year mainly due to heart diseases. Afric