kidneys in the news

I found this story this morning...it's worth a read. And here's a link to the author's blog.

A few facts quoted in the story:

20 million Americans - 1 in 9 adults - have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and another 20 million more are at increased risk. Heart disease is the major cause of death for all people with CKD. Hypertension causes CKD and CKD causes hypertension. High risk groups include those with diabetes, hypertension and family history of kidney disease. African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans and the elderly are at increased risk. About 200,000 Americans suffer from kidney failure and need an artificial kidney machine to stay alive.

I took a walk with my dad yesterday after Sunday family lunch. He said to me, "Now, I can't walk too fast. I just kinda stumble along." He did just fine...and it was nice father-daughter time.....no politics, just life.