Kidney disease is a silent killer in the Basin
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Kidney disease and kidney failure is common amongst Texans.
76,126 Texans were living with end-stage renal disease in 2024, shared the American Kidney Fund. Also, 55,954 Texans were on dialysis in 2024.
Dr. Anand Reddy, with the Permian Basin Kidney Center, advises members of the Basin to be extra mindful when it comes to protecting their kidney, because several people in the area are susceptible to kidney failure due to common diet choices, or genetic background.
Many in the Basin work on job sites miles away from access to healthy foods. Dr. Reddy said, although healthy food options may be limited for many workers in the area, there are some ways to stay healthy.
Buying less processed foods at gas stations such as nuts, fruits, vegetables, yogurts or beef jerky, can be healthier alternatives.
If you are Hispanic or Black, you are more susceptible to kidney disease shares the National Institute of Health.
'A lot of this kidney diseases can be stopped or slowed down the progress if identified pretty early, and some of the kidney disease are reversible,' Dr. Reddy said. 'In the community there is a feeling that kidney disease are pretty much irreversible. That's not essentially true.'
Along with eating healthy foods, Dr. Reddy said regular check-ups with your doctor, and simple urine or blood tests can help a patient detect kidney disease early on or even reverse it.
A healthy kidney is essential for keeping the body regulated, Dr. Reddy said.
'Filters the toxins out,' he said. 'Keeps the good stuff in. That's a very important function. Its like any other filter where you should not be losing the important elements that are needed for our body to be lost in the urine.'
For more on how to keep your kidney healthy, visit https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/prevention.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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