Recently my mother sent me a copy of her lab report because she was concerned about her Hgb A1-C, cholesterol and triglyceride results. I was surprised to see her glomerular filtration rate (GFR) indicates she has stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). The biggest surprise is that her doctor didn’t discuss the fact that her kidneys are losing function or that she could make some changes to help slow the progression. This probably is not uncommon considering the numbers. There are over 26 million people in the US with chronic kidney disease, many who are unaware.  Nearly one in ten Americans has a relative with CKD.

Mother’s Day is coming up—a chance to acknowledge and thank our mothers for all they do. This is an opportunity to let your mother know you are concerned about her health. If she has risk factors for kidney disease, encourage your mom to pay attention to routine blood work and to ask her doctor about screening for kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, hypertension, family history, age, heavy use of painkillers and certain diseases (lupus, sickle cell anemia, HIV, PKD).

If your mother already has CKD or is on dialysis, consider giving her a kidney cookbook or prepare a kidney-friendly meal as a special treat. Here are some suggestions from the DaVita.com recipe collection:

Great Way to Start Your Day Bagel Stuffed French Toast Veggie Strata and Zingy Spiced Pears Chicken Apple Crunch Salad Turkey Waldorf Salad Mango Ginger Mahi Mahi Blueberry Peach Crisp Buttercream Fruit Torte Stuffed Strawberries