Early Detection Legislation

[cmaxwell78]

Hi, all! As an advocacy council member for the National Kidney Foundation, I'm pleased to share the following news alert:

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) presented early detection legislation before Congress on September 28, 2017. NKF believes it can help change the pattern of how chronic kidney disease is identified and treated, improving the outcomes and quality of life of patients with CKD. H.R. 3867 seeks to demonstrate that early detection of CKD, combined with effective and coordinated care that engages patients in the decision-making process, can not only improve clinical results but also lower healthcare spending. The voluntary practitioner-led Medicare pilot program will tie Medicare payment to improvements in the early detection of CKD and the care patients receive. This bill will promote stronger collaboration between primary care and nephrology practitioners to preserve kidney health and provide them with the resources they need to make measurable improvements in the care of people with CKD.

How you can get involved:

Please be sure to send your tweet and email to Congress! You can also take action by going to this website: advocacy.kidney.org/. Please make sure to edit your emails to Congress – the email systems on Capitol Hill filter out non-personalize bulk emails from those that are, and as you know, personalized messages make far more impact!

Your voice matters! Your personal experiences matter! Thank you in advance for considering speaking up and out about this vital legislation!

[Zazzel]

Thank you for sharing this information.

[cmaxwell78 NKF Ambassador]

The consult I've received has been to live a healthy life, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and limit red meat and sodium. There is nothing at this time to prevent genetic disease from occurring, however, keeping blood pressure under control along with dietary recommendations can help contribute to prolonging healthy function for some people. That said, these factors certainly vary between each specific type of chronic kidney disease as they all progress differently. Keeping regular visits with a nephrologist you trust is a great idea, too! Best to you on your health journey!

[hazel-hearty in reply to cmaxwell78]

That is exactly what I do however sometimes I do eat a little more then I should but it always kidney friendly foods. I have to limit sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and never processed foods fried foods except oven fried with olive oil (extra virgin first press). I have only one kidney and it only works at 15%.

[ddwebangel]

Dear champak045

My opinion is to see a dietion to help with a special diet, exercise & unfortunetly you might want to see either a primary doctor or a nephrologist to help keep your kidneys longer. And Yes high BP(Hypertention) is one illness that effects the kidneys so it needs to be kept under control. Everyone is different. Hope I helped & I know I probably said some things you might not wanted to hear. Take one day at a time. Good luck & stay strong. You are not alone. Prayers to you.

[cmaxwell78 NKF Ambassador]

There is no way to prevent kidney problems if you are predisposed genetically to have genetically carried diseases. Healthy diet and exercise, as mentioned in my original comment, are the best way to try to avoid high blood pressure and diabetes, both of which contribute to kidney decline. Does that help answer your question?

[Jenkea]

Hello, I was running 2 half marathons a year and gym at least 5 days a week, no red meat or junk food, alchohol, cigs etc ended up being diagnosed March this year with stage 3. Doesn’t make sense.

[cmaxwell78 NKF Ambassador in reply to Jenkea]

I'm sorry to hear that. Are you able to still be active? I'm stage 3b and still try to run a few 5ks a year. My particular disease is genetically inherited, so, while I've done my part to be kind to my body and specifically my kidneys, I have had cysts since I was a child, maybe since birth. It's difficult to understand sometimes as it is beyond my control, but I'm trying to use my circumstances for good as much as possible and that is why early detection is so important to me. Thanks for coming in and sharing your experiences.