Health officials say many have kidney disease without knowing it

by Laura Wilcox, STAFF WRITER
Tuesday, July 17, 2007 6:31 AM CDT

Melody Skaggs, a clinical administrator at The Kidney Center, said anyone can walk into the Bridgeport office and schedule an appointment for screening or possibly even be screened the same day.

“The sooner they’re screened, the better,” Skaggs said, adding that a patient may not need dialysis if damage is caught early enough. They may be able to be treated by altering medications, she said.

Hypertension, diabetes, fluid retention, a history of stones, urinary tract problems, and edema can all contribute to kidney disease, Skaggs said. She said patients with kidney damage may not feel well, may feel forgetful, have trouble walking, have sore bones and joints or leg cramps.

Staff writer Laura Wilcox can be reached at 626-1405 or by e-mail at lwilcox@exponent-telegram.com

http://www.cpubco.com/articles/2007/07/19/news/03.txt