Joe had chronic kidney disease, a disease that damages kidneys and decreases their ability to keep you healthy. As kidney disease worsens, waste can build to high levels in the blood and make you feel sick. People with chronic kidney disease may develop serious complications.

Joe ignored his symptoms, thinking that he had the flu and refusing to see his doctor. Joe didn’t always watch his weight or eat the right things. Only after he felt sick for a few weeks did he finally decide to make a visit to see his doctor who told him the bad news.

The two main causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure. Diabetes happens when your blood sugar is too high, causing damage to many organs in your body, including the kidneys and heart.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, happens when the pressure of your blood against the walls of your blood vessels increases. If uncontrolled, or poorly controlled, high blood pressure can be a leading cause of heart attacks, strokes, and chronic kidney disease.

Joe’s blood sugar level was too high. He liked sweets and fatty foods. Whenever he ate out, which was too often, he ate burgers and fries. He liked to “supersize” his meals, which meant he ate even more fat and grease.

Chronic kidney disease increases your risk of having heart and blood vessel disease. These problems may happen slowly over a long period. Early detection and treatment can often keep chronic kidney disease from getting worse.

Checking your blood sugar levels at home can help. Keeping it low is the best way to lower your risk of both kidney and heart disease. If your blood sugar level is high, follow up with your doctor.

Make sure you have your blood pressure checked often, and remember to take blood pressure medication if prescribed. Follow your diet for weight loss and blood sugar control, and get plenty of regular exercise. Avoid alcohol and cigarettes.

Chronic kidney disease is a serious illness. It may eventually lead to kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain life.

See a doctor if you suspect you may be having a medical problem. Joe finally did, and it may have saved him from a lifetime of kidney dialysis. It’s another lesson well heeded.

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