One condition that can become disabling is kidney disease. It’s also relatively common. When looking at Americans who are 20 years old and older, some studies say that 37 million of them have some stage of kidney disease. In some cases, it’s chronic kidney disease, so they may not experience a full recovery.
How can you know if you’re getting closer to this type of debilitating issue? It’s helpful to know what risk factors make kidney disease more likely.
Having diabetes
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, your odds of developing kidney disease are much higher. Some studies have found that diabetes is the leading cause of this disease.
High blood pressure
You also want to be cautious if you have high blood pressure, especially if it is uncontrolled. If you are not on medication or taking other steps to manage it, kidney disease is much more likely.
Tobacco use
Smoking takes a toll on the body in many ways. One potential effect is that it can harm the kidneys. This can increase your odds of kidney disease– especially if you have smoked for a significant amount of time.
Being overweight
Those who are overweight also have higher odds of developing kidney disease. These odds are highest when the person is suffering from clinical obesity based on their body mass index (BMI).
If you do develop kidney disease, whether you have these risk factors or not, it can be a life-changing event. You may be able to get Social Security Disability benefits if you’re no longer able to work. Having legal guidance can help you avoid or fight a denial.