One-in-10 people are living with Chronic Kidney Disease, but might not know they have it, according to a report by Trinity College.
The Irish Kidney Association (IKA) has warned that Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is on course to become the fifth leading cause of death here by 2040.
As part of World Kidney Day, the association is asking people to get checked with a simple blood and urine test.
National Advocacy Manager with the IKA Colin White encouraged the public to ask their GP about their kidneys.
"We are asking individuals, particularly those in the older age categories, people with preexisiting illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, to bring it up in conversation with their GP [and ask], 'How are my kidneys, are my kidneys okay?'" he said.
A man talks with a doctor in his office. Image: Bill Cheyrou / Alamy Stock PhotoCKD is a condition in which the kidneys cannot perform their normal functions.
Your kidneys lose the majority of their filtering ability and, as a result, fluid and waste builds up in your body.
Many people with CKD do not realise they have a problem until their kidney function has decreased to less than 25% of normal.
This damage usually occurs slowly, and is not reversible.
Main image: A nurse with a patient who is undergoing treatment for kidney disease on a kidney dialysis machine at a hospital. Image: Matthew Horwood / Alamy. 8 April 2014
