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| AAKP News of the Month: Join AAKP for Kidney Beginnings: Live!
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Upcoming Kidney Beginnings: Live programs are being held in Memphis, TN, May 15, from 9:00 am - Noon; Orlando, FL, May 22, from 9:00 am - Noon; and Atlanta, GA. Kidney Beginnings: Live is a FREE educational program designed to educate individuals about the basics of kidney disease and proper kidney care. Attendees receive complimentary educational materials, learn about kidney disease in a welcoming atmosphere and have the opportunity to have questions answered by local health care professionals.
Please continue to check the AAKP website for more upcoming locations and dates. | |
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| Millions With 'Silent' Hypertension May Have Kidney Disease |
 As many as 8 million adults in the United States who have undiagnosed or early-stage hypertension may also have kidney disease, putting them at higher risk of what may be preventable kidney failure. Researchers found 27.5 percent of those with diagnosed hypertension also had kidney disease, while 13.4 percent of those with normal blood pressure have kidney disease. In people with early-stage hypertension (or pre-hypertension), 17.3 percent had kidney disease; in those who had undiagnosed hypertension, 22 percent had kidney disease.
Experts estimate nearly a third of Americans with high blood pressure have no knowledge of the disorder and are unaware that their blood pressure is in the danger zone. Consequently, they may not seek testing and treatment for hypertension or for kidney disease, an associated condition. To learn more about chronic kidney disease, visit http://www.aakp.org/kidney-information/. |
| View the Winners of the AAKP Artwork Contest |
 The results are in and AAKP is proud to announce the winners of the 2010 AAKP Artwork Contest. The winners are: 1st Place - Nellie Ferrante - Dialysis patient
2nd Place - Melody Kirby - Caregiver and Transplant donor
3rd Place - Mary Mitchell - Dialysis patient
The selected pieces of artwork are being turned into all occasion greeting cards. AAKP is now taking pre-orders for the greeting cards. Call AAKP at (800) 749-2257 or visit www.aakp.org to place your order. |
| Genes Influencing Kidney Disease Risk Discovered |
A team of researchers from the United States and Europe has identified more than a dozen genes that may play a role in the etiology of common forms of kidney disease. The team, known as the CKDGen Consortium, examined common variations in DNA sequences in more than 65,000 individuals of European descent. Common variations in several genes were found to be more frequent among people with poor kidney function or chronic kidney disease (CKD) than in those with normal kidney function.
CKD affects approximately 10 percent of adults in the US and increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases. Risk factors for CKD include diabetes and hypertension, although kidney disease clusters in families. The hereditary factors underlying CKD have been difficult to determine until recently, when new methods to search for risk genes became available. The research team applied one of the new methods, called genome-wide association, and found strong evidence for more than 12 genes influencing CKD risk and kidney function. |
| AAKP Accepting Nominations for Annual Awards |
 Each year, AAKP presents its prominent Annual Awards to those who have made a significant contribution to the renal community and helped to carry out the mission of the Association. We invite you to submit a nomination(s) in each of the award categories for someone you feel should be recognized for their efforts and accomplishments. Award recipients are honored during AAKP's 2010 Annual Convention in Tampa, FL, held Sept. 2 - 4.
For more information about the Annual Awards, please visit the AAKP website. The nomination form is available for download online. Self-nominations are accepted and encouraged. |
| Serious Kidney Injury Common in Very Ill H1N1 Patients |
People who got very sick in the recent H1N1 influenza epidemic often suffered kidney damage as well as respiratory illness, according to new research. Any type of serious infection or critical illness can cause kidney injury. Often during critical illness, a person's blood pressure drops, inflammation begins and the blood vessels to and from the kidneys constrict, decreasing blood flow. Viral infections like influenza can also cause muscle breakdown.
Researchers looked at 50 critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units. Two-thirds had kidney injury or kidney failure, while 11 percent needed to undergo dialysis to help filter their blood. Doctors treating these patients should be aware of the possibility of kidney damage and avoid it, if possible, by making sure patients don't get dehydrated, and by not giving them substances that could harm the kidneys such as contrast agents used in imaging. The findings also highlight the importance of getting immunized against the flu. |
| Sleep Apnea Doubles Risk of Stroke in Men |  Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of stroke in middle-aged and older adults, especially men, according to a new study. Overall, sleep apnea more than doubles the risk of stroke in men. Obstructive sleep apnea is a common disorder in which the upper airway is intermittently narrowed or blocked, disrupting sleep and breathing during sleep. Stroke is the second-leading cause of death worldwide.
The researchers found the increased risk of stroke appeared in men with mild sleep apnea and rose with the severity. Men with moderate to severe sleep apnea were nearly three times more likely to have a stroke than men without sleep apnea or with mild sleep apnea. However, in women, the increased risk of stroke was significant only with severe levels of sleep apnea. The increased risk of stroke from sleep apnea is independent of other risk factors such as weight, high blood pressure, race, smoking and diabetes. |
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The winning entries can be found on the AAKP website, 
