Early Kidney Disease: A Silent Threat

0:00It's March 12th, here's your Sydney news in two minutes. Two and a half million Australians have early chronic kidney disease without knowing it, putting huge pressure on the health system ahead. New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows 1 in 20 people aged 18 to 29 already have early signs, and nearly half of, those over 75 do two. The disease often stays silent until people lose 90% of kidney function, leading to sudden failure. When options boil down to tough dialysis, transplants, or worse, heart attacks and strokes. Over the last 20 years, treatments for kidney failure have doubled to 2.7 million cases, with a 42% jump expected by, 2030, take 29-year-old Claire Nalen from Bearwick, a single mom hooked to dialysis every night. She got sick at 12 but wasn't diagnosed until 18, now struggling with low energy to care for her 6-year-old daughter, or even work. Things like hers highlight the daily grind and limits on life.

1:01New drugs called SGLT2 inhibitors, like forksiga, jardines, and steglattro, can slow progression by over a decade if caught early. Kinney Health Australia says lifestyle changes and these meds could end the need for dialysis by 2050, saving $45 in costs for. Every $1 spent on prevention. A major national plan, called Kidney Code Red Response, gets unveiled in Canberra this Thursday. Backed by over 140 experts, it pushes for a $10 million GP screening program, targeting those with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart issues, family history, or who are overweight, smoke, or vape. DNA is sponsored by our partner, check out the episode description. Some travel miles to find peace. I just climb into bed and listen, S-O-L-I-S-O-L-Pillow.com.