The need for kidney transplants is growing, says Dr. Michael J. Moritz, Chief, Transplant Services, Lehigh Valley Health Network.

“The incidence of kidney disease is rising in the U.S. Excluding the elderly (the rising life span in the U.S. creates more older dialysis patients, who are usually not candidates for transplantation.”Much of the increase in kidney disease is attributed to the rising number of people with diabetes, now the most common cause of kidney disease in the U.S. In the U.S., diabetes is the cause of kidney disease for 32 percent of patients on the waiting list for kidney transplant,” he said.SYMPTOMS:Most people with early chronic kidney disease have no symptoms, which is why early testing is critical. By the time symptoms appear, CKD may be advanced, and symptoms can be misleading.Pay attention to these:• Fatigue, weakness• Difficult, painful urination• Foamy urine• Pink, dark urine (blood in urine)• Increased need to urinate (especially at night)Risk Factors:• Diabetes (self or family)• High blood pressure (self or family)• Cardiovascular disease (self or family)• Family history of kidney disease or diabetes or high blood pressure• Age 60 or older• Obesity• Prolonged use of NSAIDs, a type of painkillers, such as ibuprofen and naproxen• Lupus, other autoimmune disorders• Chronic urinary tract infections• Kidney stonesSource: The National Kidney Foundation