World Kidney Day 2022 | The Transplant Institute at Methodist Dallas

The Transplant Institute at Methodist Dallas has been doing kidney transplants for nearly four decades. To date, we have performed over 2,600 kidney transplants with outcomes that meet or exceed national averages. As one of the leading kidney transplant centers, we are dedicated to doing all that we can to support kidney health. Sharing information about World Kidney Day on Thursday, March 10th is just one of the many ways we can contribute to improving kidney health.

What and when is World Kidney Day?

World Kidney Day (WKD) is a global campaign that aims to raise awareness about the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide. WKD is celebrated every second Thursday in March. Many individuals and organizations around the world celebrate this day by organizing different activities aimed at raising awareness of kidney disease.

This year’s World Kidney Day theme is “Kidney Health For All” which focuses on bridging the knowledge gap that exists about chronic kidney disease.

What do kidneys do?

The main job of your kidneys is to remove toxins and excess water from your blood. Kidneys also help to control your blood pressure, to produce red blood cells and to keep your bones healthy.

Other kidney functions:

• Make urine
• Remove wastes and extra fluid from your blood
• Control your body’s chemical balance
• Help control your blood pressure
• Help keep your bones healthy
• Help you make red blood cells

What is chronic kidney disease?

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases chronic kidney disease is defined as damaged kidneys that can no longer filter blood the way they should. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes of CKD.

Treatment options for chronic kidney disease

The earlier your kidney disease is detected the better your treatment options are. Many people are able to live for years with CKD, while others will progress quickly to kidney failure. Kidney failure is defined as a kidney that has 15 percent or less of normal kidney function remaining. There are three options to replace lost kidney function:

1. Hemodialysis - a treatment to filter your blood using a machine outside your body
2. Peritoneal dialysis - a treatment to filter your blood using the lining of your abdomen, catheters and fluids
3. Kidney transplant - a donated, healthy kidney replaces a failing kidney using transplant surgery

How to keep a kidney healthy

The surest way to protect your kidneys is by managing the health conditions that cause kidney damage such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Daily choices that support a healthy kidney include healthy food choices, a diet low in salt, frequent physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, healthy sleep habits and not smoking.

Finally, since early kidney disease often has zero symptoms, it is important to ask your medical provider to test your kidney function if you have any of the following risk factors:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Family history of kidney failure

For information about living with your condition, screening and prevention, and support tools, click here.