[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 27 (Wednesday, March 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E393]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     MARCH IS NATIONAL KIDNEY MONTH

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                           HON. JIM McDERMOTT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 9, 2005

  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the Congressional Kidney 
Caucus, I want to make everyone aware that March is National Kidney 
Month. A growing epidemic, diabetes has a significant impact on kidney 
disease. Diabetes is the single Ieading cause of kidney failure in the 
U.S. today.
  Approximately 17 million people living in America, or more than 6 
percent of the population, have diabetes. Because a cure for diabetic 
kidney disease has not yet been found, treatment involves controlling 
the disorder and slowing its progression to kidney failure. Recent 
research has shown that the presence of high blood pressure may be the 
most important predictor of which diabetics will develop chronic kidney 
disease.
  Therefore, the detection and control of high blood pressure are very 
important in diabetic patients. March is National Kidney Month and the 
Kidney Caucus in partnership with the National Kidney Foundation is 
urging all those at-risk for kidney disease, including diabetics, to 
get checked out by their doctor.
  Treatment to prevent diabetic kidney disease should begin early, even 
before kidney damage develops. To accomplish this, experts must make 
diabetic patients aware of the severity of this disease and its 
symptoms, and must educate diabetics on ways to control the disease.

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