About 10.8 percent of Chinese people suffer chronic kidney disease, however, only 12.5 percent of the public are aware of this condition, medical experts said at the start of a monthlong education campaign in Changning District.

Led by the nephrology department of Tongren Hospital, experts plan to organize public lectures and consultations in order to promote knowledge of chronic kidney disease prevention and control.

“Chronic kidney disease is a common condition. Research on health checkup data of about 25,000 residents over 65 years old in Changning found that about 16.4 percent of people have the disease,” said Dr Wang Xiaoxia, director of Tongren’s nephrology department. “Diabetes, hypertension and hyperuricemia are the three leading risks for chronic kidney disease, while most people have poor understanding of the risks and the impact of kidney disease to their health.”

Doctors said there are no symptoms in early and middle-stage kidney disease and only medical examination can identify the problem at the early stages.

“Drug abuse and improper intake of traditional Chinese medicine are also risks to kidney health. People must consult their doctor before taking medicines,” Wang said.