The importance of getting checked for kidney disease

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Kidney Health is very important because it can impact anyone. The same goes for Margie Erickson. The grandma from Hawley was recovering from heart surgery three years ago when her doctor asked her about her kidney disease.

“Well it started three years ago. Didn’t have any symptoms like you normally would expect,” said Erickson. “Then the cardiologist for a follow up from heart surgery. He said your heart is fine but what are you doing about your kidney disease? Curt and I picked ourselves off the floor and said, I didn’t know I had kidney disease.”

This ended up with Erickson being put on dialysis. Erickson says if it wasn’t for a simple test being done, she could have ended up dying from the disease.

“I know exactly what’s going on with my body. And I feel pretty confident that I can live as long as long as I can possibly live. Got three little granddaughters and that keeps me going.” said Erickson.

It is important to get your kidneys checked for the disease, because it can be carried down in people’s DNA. There are many symptoms with kidney disease, this includes your ankles and feet are swollen, blood in your urine or have high blood pressure.

“According to the National Kidney Foundation the main risk factors are, high-blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and a family history of kidney diseases. Anyone who has these conditions should pay critical attention to their kidney function.” said Dr. Ashish Regulagadda of Sanford Health.