12th March 2026 is World Kidney Day. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of this global campaign, dedicated to raising awareness of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its impact on millions of people worldwide. According to Kidney Care UK, kidney disease affects 1 in 10 people across the world, equivalent to more than 7 million people in the UK. However, many people remain unaware of the condition until it has already reached an advanced stage.
World Kidney Day aims to change that, with this year’s theme ‘Kidney Health For All – Caring for People, Protecting the Planet.’
In support of the World Kidney Day campaign, our medical negligence team has put together the following guide covering what the kidneys do, the symptoms and causes of kidney disease, how it is diagnosed and treated, and what to do if you believe a delay in diagnosis or error in your medical care may have made your situation worse.
What is World Kidney Day?
Most people are born with two kidneys, and they are the hardest-working organs in your body. They are made up of millions of tiny units called nephrons. When nephrons become damaged, they stop functioning correctly, which can lead to a gradual decline in kidney function. As CKD often progresses unnoticed and without obvious symptoms until it causes severe health complications, awareness of the causes of kidney disease and spotting early warning signs is essential.
That is exactly what World Health Day campaigns for every year.
What Do Your Kidneys Do?
Your kidneys are responsible for far more than simply producing urine. They play a vital role in:
- The filtering of your blood.
- Regulating your blood pressure.
- Maintaining the correct balance of fluid and electrolytes in your body.
- Supporting detoxification.
- Regulating calcium and phosphate levels.
Without healthy kidney function, these processes can deteriorate, often with serious consequences for overall health.
Potential Symptoms of Kidney Disease
Most people do not have obvious symptoms until their kidney disease is advanced.
Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Swollen ankles/legs
- Fatigue
- Decreased appetite
- Muscle Cramps
- Difficulty breathing
- Itchy skin
- Blood in the urine
- Foamy urine
- Discomfort in the lower back, side or abdomen
If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms, it is vital that you seek medical advice as soon as possible, even if the symptoms seem mild.
The NHS provides further guidance on the symptoms of CKD, which you can access here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-disease/
Potential Causes of Kidney Disease
There are several factors that can increase the risk of developing kidney disease, including:
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Aging
- Diabetes
- Inherited conditions
- Medication use
Across the world, climate change is also impacting the lives of people with kidney disease, and environmental factors play a part in the causes of CKD. This year’s World Kidney Day campaign, ‘Kidney Health For All – Caring for People, Protecting the Planet’, is aiming to highlight these issues: “Climate-related risks – air pollution heat stress, dehydration, and extreme weather events – compound the risks of CKD and accelerate its progression.” – https://www.worldkidneyday.org/2026-campaign/
Diagnosis and Treatment
There are two common ways to diagnose chronic kidney disease. These are:
- Blood tests
- Urine tests
The two main ways to treat end stage kidney disease are:
- Dialysis
- Transplants
Early CKD diagnosis can save lives. Timely testing and early detection of CKD enables early intervention that not only reduces the need for resource-intensive treatments, but also improves long-term outcomes, which is why World Kidney Day is campaigning for action on prevention, awareness, treatment access, and environmental risk reduction.
Potential Medical Negligence
There are many medical reasons why a person may develop kidney problems or chronic kidney disease. However, in some cases, the way in which kidney disease is identified or treated may fall below the standard of care a patient is entitled to expect. Examples of potential medical negligence under these circumstances include:
- Delay in Diagnosis
- Misdiagnosis
- Medication Errors, including a failure to monitor medication use
- Potential Surgical Errors
If you are unsure whether your own experience, or that of a loved one’s, involves negligent medical care, please reach out to discuss your circumstances with us.
How can we help?
Bridge McFarland LLP has a specialist clinical negligence team that can provide advice and guidance if you, or a loved one, has experienced delays in diagnosis or treatment of kidney disease. We can help you understand your options, including the process of making a medical negligence claim. Contact our team for more information, or please visit our dedicated medical negligence website.
If you think you may have a claim, contact us for a free initial consultation. Every case is different, and we would advise you to call one of our friendly team members to discuss your matter confidentially and with no obligation.
Get the answers you deserve today by calling our team on 0800 987 8800 or emailing us at medneg@bmcf.co.uk. Alternatively, speak to a medical negligence solicitor near you by finding your nearest office.