National Kidney Month: Protect Your Kidneys, Protect Your Life

Every March, National Kidney Month serves as an important reminder to prioritize kidney health and raise awareness about the silent, often devastating impact of kidney disease. At KAVN Health in Columbia, MD, we’ve seen firsthand how early detection, routine screening, and proactive care can dramatically improve outcomes and preserve quality of life.

Your kidneys may only be about the size of your fist, but they perform life-sustaining work 24 hours a day. They filter waste and toxins from your blood, regulate fluid levels, control blood pressure, support red blood cell production, maintain bone health, balance electrolytes, and keep your body’s acid levels stable. When kidney function declines, the effects ripple through nearly every system in the body.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a major public health crisis in the United States:

• 37 million adults (about 1 in 7) have CKD

• 90% don’t know they have it

• It is the 9th leading cause of death

• Over 800,000 Americans are living with kidney failure

• More than 500,000 rely on dialysis

• Over 100,000 are waiting for a kidney transplant

What makes kidney disease especially dangerous is that it often develops without noticeable symptoms. Many people can lose up to 90% of kidney function before realizing something is wrong. By the time symptoms appear, significant and often irreversible damage may have already occurred.

The good news is that kidney disease is often preventable — and when detected early, its progression can be slowed or even halted. Managing blood pressure and diabetes, staying hydrated, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting salt intake, avoiding excessive NSAID use, and getting routine lab work are simple but powerful steps you can take.

This National Kidney Month, take a proactive approach. Know your risk factors. Get screened if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a family history of kidney disease. Protecting your kidneys means protecting your overall health — for today and for years to come.