Negative perceptions of aging often misguide individuals with regard to preventative care. Rather than avoid a health screening under the auspice of “ignorance is bliss,” nephrologist Dr. Niraj Desai encourages people to learn as much as they can about their
Negative perceptions of aging often misguide individuals with regard to preventative care.
Rather than avoid a health screening under the auspice of “ignorance is bliss,” nephrologist Dr. Niraj Desai encourages people to learn as much as they can about their bodies in order to prevent certain kinds of disease. Desai is the only kidney specialist on Kaua‘i.
Tomorrow the National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i will conduct a number of free lab tests to help in the early detection of kidney disease.
Desai said, “Our concern is that people don’t realize they’re high risk because there are no symptoms.”
Unfortunately by the time symptoms of kidney disease appear the disease is well into a danger zone.
“People sometimes think that if no one in their family has it, they won’t get it,” said Desai. “When I ask my patients if there’s a family history, 80 percent of them say, ‘not to my knowledge.’”
The best time to be checked is long before symptoms arise, he said.
NKFH early interventions coordinator Jill Tamashiro said, “We just want to make people aware — screening is just a snapshot of their risk factors.”
The lab tests conducted are simple and painless. The urine albumin screening tests for protein in the urine. “Protein should stay in your blood,” said Tamashiro. “If protein is spilling into your urine, your kidneys may not be filtering properly.”
She encourages Kaua‘i residents to take a proactive approach to health. “It’s a good thing to get screened early. You can do something about it through simple lifestyle modifications,” Tamashiro said.
There are some other benefits to having this simple test.
“Urine albumin screening also detects heart disease and high blood pressure,” Desai said. “We’re trying to separate low risk from those who really need to be actively on top of their health.”
Desai encourages people to get an early screening since there are many preventative measures a person can take by having these tests done, “It can key you into the risk factors,” said Desai. “There are treatments available now that will prevent kidney disease.”
The Kidney Early Evaluation Program is currently a free health screening program. The tests given tomorrow are valued at $250. “Anyone over 18 is welcome,” said Tamashiro. “Diabetics are especially encouraged to come.”
This is the first time the NKFH has offered this screening in three years.
“We’re really impressed by the Kaua‘i medical community — they really pull together,” Tamashiro said.
Five Kaua‘i doctors are participating, not to mention nurse practitioners and nursing students.
The following lab tests will be conducted: Blood pressure (hypertension); glucose (diabetes); hemoglobin (anemia); lipid panel (cholesterol, HDL/LDL, triglycerides); serum ceatinine/eGFR (kidney function); urine dipstick (blood, white blood cells, and microalbumin); calcium, phosphorous, and PTH (bone health for eGFR below 60).
Tests are valued at $250.
Eight-hour fasting is recommended. For more information call 800-488-2277 or 808-589-5921 (O‘ahu).
Free health screening
When: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday
Where: Queen Liliuokalani Children’s Center
4530 Kali Road (located behind the Chevron gas station on Kuhio Highway in Lihu‘e).
What can you do now?
• Maintain a normal weight.
• Don’t smoke.
• Take a 30 minute walk three times a week.
• Make plans to get a health screening.
