5 Things You Should Know (and Share) about Kidney Disease for Kidney Month

March is National Kidney Month—a great opportunity to learn about your risk for kidney disease and take steps to prevent it! Here are 5 facts about kidney disease from the American Kidney Fund to share with friends and family throughout the month:

1. Kidney disease often has no symptoms. Millions of Americans have kidney disease and don't know it. Simple tests can you tell you your kidneys are working right.
2. Diabetes and high blood pressure—the leading causes of kidney failure—cause nearly 3 out of every 4 cases of kidney failure.
3. As many as 31 million Americans are living with chronic kidney disease and millions more are at risk. Kidney disease is the ninth-leading cause of death in the United States.
4. You can take simple steps to protect yourself from kidney disease. A healthy lifestyle, which includes exercise and good control of other conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, can help prevent kidney disease.
5. Some people are more at risk for kidney disease. You may be at risk if you have diabetes or high blood pressure; have a family history of kidney disease; are over age 60; or African-American, Hispanic, Native American or Asian American.