Most people with ‘silent illness’ don’t know they have it
Drive to raise awareness of Kidney disease
ONE in seven people over the age of 50 has kidney disease - and many of them don’t know it.
That’s the message from the Irish Kidney Association on World Kidney Day today.
The IKA is marking the annual March 14 event by raising awareness of the prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease.
Often described as “the silent illness hiding in plain sight” kidney disease affects 1 in 10 of the general population and one in seven of those over 50. Yet some show little or no symptoms until it progresses to kidney failure.
Carol Moore, chief executive of the association said: “Chronic Kidney Disease is a very real and prevalent issue affecting 500,000 people here in Ireland.
“The lack of knowledge about it and its relationship with the better-known high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease conditions needs to be addressed.”
“Surveys show 98 per cent of people who had chronic kidney disease were unaware they suffered from it.
“On World Kidney Day, the Irish Kidney Association wants to start a public conversation on the importance of early detection and collaborative care in managing it effectively.”
Early detection – using a blood or urine test – is key as it helps manage the disease, slows progression and can prevent complications.
Anne Hackett, 67, a retired school teacher from Two Mile Borris, Co Tipperary, underwent a kidney transplant from a deceased donor last summer.
She has a hereditary kidney condition and her father passed away from it when she was just 10 and one of her sons was diagnosed when he was 18.
This year marks the return of the Irish Kidney Association’s national fundraising campaign following a four-year break due to Covid. Volunteers will be back distributing free organ donor cards and collecting funds to support patients in need, through the sale of their signature Forget-me-not flower emblems.
Professor George Mellotte of the HSE’S National Renal Office, said: “CKD is becoming more common in Ireland.”
■ For more information, visit www.ika.ie/kidneyhealth