It is not unusual for us to hear of someone in our community who either has to get regular dialysis or is in need of a kidney transplant. In fact, singer Natalie Cole just received a new kidney a few short weeks ago. But why are we four times as likely to have our kidney’s fail? Doctors have long blamed two other conditions that are prevalant in our community: hypertension and diabetes. While there is no doubt that these are contributing factors there is something else at work too.
A new study conducted by Dr. Barry Freeman and researcher at Wake Forest University reveals a gene called MYH9 may actually be the cause of non-diabetic kidney disease in our community. Freeman found that a staggering 70% of African Americans with kidney disease had the gene. In addition, the gene may be the reason kidney failure occurs in those with HIV.
Yes, this is good news but what does this mean? Well, medical researchers are no longer under the impression that all races are the same. So they’re looking under the surface for the reasons we’re predisposed to certain diseases. And hopefully, they’ll develop treatments that are designed to combat how these specific ailments target African Americans. In the meantime, if you have a history of (non diabetic) kidney failure in your family look for doctors to begin testing for the gene in a few years.
And if you haven’t been to the doctor in years make an appointment. When conditions like diabetes and hypertension go undiagnosed you actually put yourself at increased risks for complications.
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