By Jeremy P. Morlock

Kidneys play an essential role in the human body, removing toxins and excess fluid from the blood and keeping electrolytes in balance. Unfortunately, the tiny filtering units within the kidneys are fragile and can be damaged by conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, immune disorders, and even some medications. This damage usually happens slowly, but over time, people can permanently lose kidney function without knowing it.

More than 800,000 people in the U.S. are living with kidney failure. Around 550,000 receive dialysis treatment, a medical procedure that replaces some of the filtering functions their own kidneys can no longer perform. More than 250,000 people have received a kidney transplant, which can provide renewed health, but requires lifelong medication and monitoring.

March is National Kidney Month, a helpful reminder to learn about your kidney health and factors that can affect it. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, or a family history of kidney disease, you’re at higher risk of developing kidney disease. Blood tests and urine tests can check how well your kidneys are working.

World Kidney Day is Thursday, March 13. The theme for 2025 asks people “Are Your Kidneys OK?” Its intent is to urge people to detect kidney problems early to protect their health. Though there is no cure for chronic kidney disease (CKD), proper treatment can help slow it down and avoid complications.

The International Society of Nephrology recommends that treatments include:

  • Reducing high blood pressure
  • Eating less salt to lower blood pressure
  • Controlling blood sugar and cholesterol
  • Stopping smoking
  • Being more physically active
  • Controlling body weight

Medicines including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) can slow the progression of chronic kidney disease, especially in people with diabetes and hypertension. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) can reduce kidney problems, heart attacks, and strokes for some patients with kidney disease.

The International Society of Nephrology has a free online quiz to learn more about your own kidney health at www.kidneyquiz.theisn.org.

Local landmarks will be lit up yellow, blue, and green the evening of March 13 to help call attention to the importance of kidney health. Information and resources are available from the Kidney Foundation of Western New York by visiting www.kfwny.org, or calling 716-529-4390.

Jeremy P. Morlock is Director of the Kidney Foundation of Western New York.