CCH Hosts Free Kidney Screening June 9th, 10am-3pm

Did you know that 1 in 3 American adults is at risk for kidney disease?

John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital, located at 1969 West Ogden Avenue in Chicago, will be the site for a free kidney screening on June 9th, sponsored by the Division of Nephrology and the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois (NKFI). Included in the screening are: blood pressure, blood sugar, body mass index, urinalysis, and a discussion of your results with a doctor or nurse.

NKFI organizes health screenings with the KidneyMobile®, a mobile truck that travels across the state screening community members for diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease. Since 2006, the KidneyMobile® has screened nearly 40,000 people throughout Illinois. Alarmingly, almost 75% of those screened were found to have at least one significantly abnormal result.

View the kidney screening event flyers below:

• English
• Spanish

What Causes Chronic Kidney Disease?

Kidney disease often develops slowly without symptoms, so it often goes undetected until at an advanced state. Risk can be reduced by controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, healthy weight management, exercise, smoking cessation and safe medication management.

Kidney damage and decreased function that lasts longer than 3 months is called chronic kidney disease (CKD). Chronic kidney disease is particularly dangerous because you may not have any symptoms until considerable, often irreparable, kidney damage has occurred. Diabetes (types 1 and 2) and high blood pressure are the most common causes of CKD. Other causes are:

• Immune system conditions such as lupus and chronic viral illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
• Urinary tract infections within the kidneys themselves, called pyelonephritis, can lead to scarring as the infection heals. Multiple episodes can lead to kidney damage.
• Inflammation in the tiny filters (glomeruli) within the kidneys; this can happen after strep infection and other conditions of unknown cause.
• Polycystic kidney disease, in which fluid-filled cysts form in the kidneys over time. This is the most common form of inherited kidney disease.
• Congenital defects, present at birth, are often the result of a urinary tract obstruction or malformation that affects the kidneys. One of the most common involves a valve-like mechanism between the bladder and urethra. These defects, sometimes found while a baby is still in the womb, can often be surgically repaired by a urologist.
• Drugs and toxins, including long-term exposure to some medications and chemicals; overuse of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen; and use of intravenous “street” drugs.