What do my kidneys do? Remove waste from the body in the form of urine Filter toxins from the blood Help regulate blood pressure and the balance of certain important nutrients, including potassium, and calcium Produces hormone that control production of red blood cells What are the early warning signs of kidney disease? Fluid retention that can be seen as swelling of the face and ankles, puffiness around the eyes High blood pressure Frequent urination (especially during the night) Rusty or brown-coloured urine or blood in urine Protein in the urine Back pain just below the rib cage

What are the late signs of kidney disease ? Loss of appetite Nausea and vomiting Extreme fatigue Difficulty in sleeping Itching and dry skin Muscle cramps Shortness of breath Twitching of muscles

What are the different types of kidney disease? The kidneys may become diseased or damaged in a number of ways including: Diabetes (the most common cause of end-stage kidney disease) Glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney) High blood pressure (hypertension) - the second most common cause of end- stage kidney disease Kidney or urinary tract stone Drug induced or toxic injury to the kidneys Familial kidney disease

What can I do to help fight kidney disease? Become familiar with the warning signs of kidney disease. To maintain healthy kidneys: Drink plenty of fluids Exercise regularly Quit smoking Maintaining ideal weight Check regularly for diabetes and high blood pressure status Seek consultation if any of the symptoms mentioned above develope