Arizonans Helping Arizonans Who Suffer Kidney Disease Due to COVID-19

Contracting COVID-19 is especially dangerous if you have an underlying health condition such as kidney disease. According to the CEO of the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona, the combination of diseases increases the risk of mortality. A 63-year-old man recently told a story of his extremely difficult experience with COVID-19 due to his underlying kidney disease.

ABC 15 reported that Filiberto Herrera did everything he could to avoid infection including staying away from family gatherings. It was only on January 9, 2021, that he decided to take a chance and attended a birthday party for his daughter. He developed COVID-19. Herrera was familiar with kidney dialysis – a process where toxins in the blood are filtered out by a machine – because the kidney can’t function properly on its own. Herrera was already suffering from kidney disease.

When Herrera got to the hospital, he was scared he wasn’t going to survive. Blood clots appeared during his dialysis treatment. According to Leslie Azurdia McReynolds, “it is common for an individual to find out too late down the road that they have kidney issues because kidney disease has such silent symptoms.”

Mr. Herrera also suffered from diabetes which caused him to lose most of his teeth. This means he couldn’t fully process his food – which means he wasn’t getting the protein he needed. The National Kidney Foundation of Arizona helped Mr. Herrera get new teeth.

The National Kidney Foundation of Arizona

Plattner Verderame, P.C., supports organizations like the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona, which helps kidney patients who have run out of options get some of the help they need including:

• Rent and utility help
• Transportation
• Medical assistance
• Nutritional aid

Often, patients who have kidney disease have other health disorders – such as diabetes.

The Foundation has been a lifesaver for many people. According to Ms. McReynolds, her organization is very concerned and aware that COVID-19 is causing Arizonans to suffer severe health problems. Many people aren’t even aware that there at risk for kidney failure. COVID-19, according to Ms. McReynolds, is a major contributor to acute kidney disorders.

The National Kidney Foundation of Arizona has an online quiz anyone can take to assess their risk for developing kidney disease. March is National Kidney Month.

Some of the key risk factors include

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• A family history of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or kidney disease

Other risk factors, according to the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona,  include:

• Being 60 years-old or older
• Obesity
• African American or Native American heritage
• Kidney stones
• Autoimmune disorders such as lupus
• Long-time use of OTC drugs like naproxen or ibuprofen
• Chronic urinary tract infections
• Low birth weight

At Plattner Verderame, P.C., our Phoenix trial lawyers are more than just advocates in court. We work with the community to educate people about dangerous health issues. We hope you’ll take the time to review the great work the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona is doing. Please call us at 602.266.2002 or complete our contact form to arrange a time to speak with our office.