Kidney disease - It’s simple, take the test

AS IF we needed it another statistic has come to light to confirm that our health system is in a muddle.

A shortage of dialysis units means that 40 sick people are travelling around the country several times a week for life-saving treatment. And we can expect the number of people needing this treatment to increase.

Diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure are factors in kidney disease, all of which are on the rise in Ireland.

Today the Irish Kidney Association is focusing on raising awareness about the importance of early detection. A central part of that simple strategy is having blood pressure taken, weight and age recorded, along with a simple finger prick test, which will determine their level of kidney function.

It’s a no brainer, get it done.