An estimated 2 million Canadians have kidney disease or are at risk. More than 20,000 Canadians require dialysis to stay alive. Currently, 1,055 people in Ontario are waiting for a kidney transplant.

With the largest Chronic Kidney Disease Program in North America, The Scarborough Hospital provides care to more than 3,000 pre-dialysis patients.

“At The Scarborough Hospital we focus on early detection and prevention. We try to identify patients who are at-risk of developing chronic kidney disease. We work with those patients, providing information, care and support to help prevent or delay the development of the disease and the need for dialysis,” says nephrologist Dr. Robert Ting.

The leading causes of kidney failure are diabetes and high blood pressure.

March is Kidney Awareness Month and Dr. Ting shares some of the signs of Chronic Kidney Disease:

1. High blood pressure
2. Puffiness of the eyes, hands and feet (called edema)
3. Passage of bloody, cloudy or tea-coloured urine
4. Presence of protein in the urine or foaming in the urine (proteinuria)
5. Shortness of breath
6. Frequent urination or passing of urine during the night (nocturia)
7. Passing less urine or difficulty passing urine
8. Fatigue
9. Loss of appetite or weight
10. Persistent generalized itching