June 2007

Kidney care at Rosebud Plaza

Rosebud Hospital’s Jody Holmes has taken to the streets to warn people about the risk of kidney disease.

Ms Holmes, Associate Nurse Unit Manager of the Rosebud Hospital’s Dialysis Unit, conducted free Kidney Disease Risk Assessments at the Rosebud Plaza Shopping Centre as part of Kidney Health Week.

‘Almost two million Australian men and women may be affected by early-stage kidney disease and not even know it,’ said Ms Holmes.

‘According to Kidney Health Australia, one in three Australians are at an increased risk of kidney disease.

‘People who are diabetic, have high blood pressure, are obese, smoke and are over-50 have a greater chance of developing kidney disease.

‘Over time, kidneys gradually lose their ability to function.

‘Often this goes unnoticed because it may not be felt, making it a ‘silent’ disease.’

Kidney Health Week 2007 promoted the No Warning Signs message. 

‘The main job of our kidneys is to remove toxins and excess water from our blood,’ said Ms Holmes.

‘Besides filtering an average 200 litres of blood through our bodies, our kidneys also help control our blood pressure, produce red blood cells and to keep our bones healthy.

‘You can lose up to 90 per cent of kidney function before feeling sick—and by then it’s too late.

‘There is no cure for kidney disease—dialysis or kidney transplants are the only options once your kidneys fail.’