(PRNewswire) — Basketball star Alonzo Mourning has overcome tremendous obstacles to become an all-star on and off the court.
He was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2000, and had a kidney transplant in
2003. Since then, Mourning has made a triumphant return to the National
Basketball Association (NBA), and now he will visit clinics throughout the
United States with Rebound from Anemia, a program designed to provide
information about chronic kidney disease and its signs and symptoms to the
millions of people with the condition and those at risk.
Chronic kidney disease is a progressive condition in which the kidneys are
unable to function effectively. Many people, including Mourning before his
diagnosis, do not realize that they have chronic kidney disease, or are at
risk for developing it, until they have reached advanced stages of the
condition.
This is significant, because more than 20 million Americans — or
one in nine adults — are estimated to have chronic kidney disease and another
20 million are at increased risk. Through Rebound from Anemia, Mourning hopes
to motivate people to take action by evaluating if they are at risk for
chronic kidney disease, and by identifying common signs and symptoms often
associated with the condition. One such sign, anemia, or low concentrations of
oxygen-carrying red blood cells, is an early, yet often overlooked signal of
chronic kidney disease.
“Before my diagnosis, I had no idea that I was at risk for kidney disease,
or that fatigue or tiredness associated with anemia is a warning symptom for
the condition. If I had known more about the risk factors for chronic kidney
disease and its symptoms, I could have worked with my doctor and received
treatment earlier, which may have slowed my disease progression,” said
Mourning. “Take my advice — if you’re at risk for chronic kidney disease and
have symptoms of anemia, speak to your doctor.”
People at risk for chronic kidney disease include those who suffer from
diabetes, high blood pressure, or both, and those who have a family history of
kidney disease or who are over the age of 65. Chronic kidney disease also is
more common among African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Asians, Pacific
Islanders and American Indians. It is particularly important for those at risk
for chronic kidney disease to be aware of the signs and symptoms of anemia,
such as fatigue or tiredness, dizziness or shortness of breath.
“Recognition of anemia may lead to an earlier discovery of chronic kidney
disease, which can lead to earlier treatment and better health outcomes,” said
Robert Provenzano, M.D., F.A.C.P., chair of the Division of Nephrology,
Department of Internal Medicine, St. John Hospital & Medical Center, Detroit,
MI. “This makes it critical that patients discuss symptoms of anemia with
their doctors.”
Rebound from Anemia is sponsored by Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., marketer
of PROCRIT(R) (Epoetin alfa). For more information about kidney disease and
anemia, visit www.KidneyResource.com.
