Kidney disease on the rise in Saskatchewan
A Saskatoon kidney specialist is raising the alarm over a growing number of people in this province who are experiencing kidney failure.
According to the Canadian Organ Replacement Register, the number of cases of "end-stage" renal disease in Saskatchewan has risen by 120 per cent over the past 10 years.
Dr. Joanne Kappel says there are several factors behind the rapidly increasing numbers, including an aging population, and the ability to lengthen the lives of people who may have other health problems, such as coronary disease.
The greatest increase is among people between the ages of 65 and 74.
Dr. Kappel says health districts will need to expand the number of spaces in dialysis units, and the number of people waiting for kidney transplants will end up growing as well.
She says the statistics will continue to grow unless people are proactive in protecting their health.