This year, 13th of March observed as World Kidney Day throughout the world. The day was annually marked since 2006 to raise awareness on importance of kidney and reduction of risk impact of kidney disease and associated health problems. Every year a specific theme is designated for World Kidney Day. “Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Aging” is the theme for current year.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has been established as the third biggest non-communicable disease after hyper-tension and diabetes. Also, the first two diseases too affect the kidneys and often culminate into CKD. According to figures, about 60% of the Chronic Kidney Disease patients have a history of either diabetes or high blood pressure or even both. If detected early, CKDs can be treated timely thereby reducing other complications and dramatically reduce the growing burden of deaths and disability from chronic renal and cardiovascular diseases.
It is necessary to acknowledge the risks involved around CKD. In the initial stages, the disease remains hidden and hence untreated. Health authorities have a daunting task to deal with high cost of treatment if no timely action is taken in view of the growing number of patients with CKD.
World Kidney Day is a global health campaign celebrated every year all across the world focusing the health and importance of the major body organ, kidneys to reduce the occurrence of kidney diseases as well as related health problems. It is commemorated worldwide on annual basis on the 2nd Thursday of March. It was started celebrating in the year 2006 by the 66 countries which were increased to become 88 countries in just 2 years.
The celebration was initiated by the joint committee of “International Society of Nephrology and International Federation of Kidney Foundations”. It is commemorated every year by the health organizations on global basis to raise awareness among common people that most of the kidney diseases are preventable and curable. Health organizations organize this campaign at many places to spread messages about kidney diseases, complications and its prevention and cure all across the countries.
One in 10 people in the country suffers from chronic kidney disease. However, almost 80% of the patients are not aware about the disease and go to a doctor only when the kidney function has already reduced to half of its normal capacity, necessitating aggressive drug regimen and other treatment options.
On World Kidney Day on Thursday, doctors said creating more awareness about chronic kidney disease (CKD) is urgently required. "CKD should be a part of the non-communicable diseases programme by the Centre," said Dr Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, professor and head of the nephrology department at AIIMS. He said CKD is more common in India than strokes and almost as common as diabetes, but the treatment costs 15 times more.
"With only 210 kidney transplant centres, 12,000 dialysis machines and an estimated 1,200 nephrologists in the country, it is impossible to treat all patients; about 100 million suffer from Stage I and II of CKD, five million from Stage III and IV and five lakh are in Stage V (kidney failure necessitating kidney transplant for survival)," Agarwal said.
On World Kidney Day on Thursday, doctors said creating more awareness about chronic kidney disease (CKD) is urgently required. "CKD should be a part of the non-communicable diseases programme by the Centre," said Dr Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, professor and head of the nephrology department at AIIMS. He said CKD is more common in India than strokes and almost as common as diabetes, but the treatment costs 15 times more.
"With only 210 kidney transplant centres, 12,000 dialysis machines and an estimated 1,200 nephrologists in the country, it is impossible to treat all patients; about 100 million suffer from Stage I and II of CKD, five million from Stage III and IV and five lakh are in Stage V (kidney failure necessitating kidney transplant for survival)," Agarwal said.
According to Dr Dinesh Khullar, director and head of nephrology department at Max Hospital, Saket, diabetes and hypertension are two main factors behind CKD. "Periodic screening of such patients can help diagnose over 60% of the patients at an early stage where the disease can be halted with medicines," he said.
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD), an inherited disorder, causes kidney failure in 5% of patients, said Dr D S Rana, chairman of the PKD Foundation at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. "If a parent has autosomal dominant PKD, there is 50% chance of the child inheriting the same," Dr Rana said.
Doctors advise cutting down on pre-packaged food and salt intake. "If you are on dialysis, you may consult a dietician to determine how much fluid to drink each day. Extra fluid can raise blood pressure, make the heart work harder and increase stress," said Dr S C Tewari, director, renal sciences and renal transplantation at Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj.
A recent survey by Dr Sham Sunder, head of the nephrology department at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, found 64.5% of the CKD patients also suffered from hypertension, 4.70% had anaemia and 31.6% suffered from diabetes. Dr R P Mathur, head of the renal transplant services at ILBS, said, "There is need of around 1,75,000 kidneys for transplantation every year."
Why do your kidneys – such small organs – receive so much of your blood and oxygen? Because they are responsible for five critical functions:
- Your kidneys keep your blood clean by filtering it of waste products and eliminating these waste products from your body as urine.
- Your kidneys help maintain a proper balance of fluids throughout your body.
- Your kidneys secrete a hormone called erythropoietin, which is responsible for stimulating the production of red blood cells in your bone marrow.
- Your kidneys produce an enzyme called renin, which is needed to help maintain your blood pressure.
- Your kidneys convert vitamin D to its most active form.
To be on the safe side, follow these few tips and take good care of your kidneys to prevent the risk of developing kidney problems.
1. Manage diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease: In most of the cases, kidney disease is a secondary illness that results from a primary disease or condition such as diabetes, heart diseases or high blood pressure. Therefore, controlling sugar levels, cholesterol and blood pressure by following a healthy diet, exercise regimen and medication guidelines is essential to keep kidney disease at bay.
2. Reduce the intake of salt: Salt increases the amount of sodium in diet. It not only increases blood pressure but also triggers the formation of kidney stones. Here are afew tips to actually cut down your salt intake.
3. Drink lots of water every day: Water keeps you hydrated and helps the kidneys to remove all the toxins from your body. It helps the body to maintain blood volume and concentration. It also helps in digestion and controls the body temperature. At least 8-10 glasses of water a day is a must.
4. Don’t resist the urge to urinate: Filtration of blood is a key function that your kidneys perform. When the process of filtration is done, extra amount of wastes and water is stored in the urinary bladder that needs to be excreted. Although your bladder can only hold a lot of urine, the urge to urinate is felt when the bladder is filled with 120-150 ml of urine.
So, if start ignoring the urge to go to the restroom, the urinary bladder stretches more than its capacity. This affects the filtration process of the kidney.
5. Eat right: Nearly all processes taking place inside your body are affected by what you choose to eat and how you eat. If you eat more unhealthy, junk and fast food, then your organs have to face the consequences, including the kidneys. Here’s more information on the relation between unhealthy diet and kidney damage.
You should include right foods in your diet. Especially foods that can strengthen your kidneys like fish, asparagus, cereals, garlic and parsley. Fruits like watermelon, oranges and lemons are also good for kidney health.
6. Drink healthy beverages: Including fresh juices is another way of drinking more fluids and keeping your kidneys healthy. Juices help the digestive system to extract more water and flush out wastes from the body. Avoid drinking coffee and tea. They contain caffeine which reduces the amount of fluids in the body. So, the kidneys have to work harder to get rid of them. Read more about how soft drinks and sugars can affect the kidneys.
If you’re already suffering from kidney problems, you should avoid juices made from vegetables such as spinach and beets. These foods are rich in oxalic acid and they help in the formation of kidney stones. But you can definitely have coconut water. Here’s howcoconut water can help in preventing kidney stones.
7. Avoid alcohol and smoking: Excess intake of alcohol can disturb the electrolyte balance of the body and hormonal control that influences the kidney function. Smoking is not directly related to kidney problems but it reduces kidney function significantly. It also has an adverse effect on heart health which can further worsen kidney problems.
8. Exercise daily: Researchers believe that obesity is closely linked to kidney related problems. Being overweight doubles the chances of developing kidney problems. Exercising, eating healthy and controlling portion size can surely help you to lose extra weight and enhance kidney health. Besides, you will always feel fresh and active. Here’s more about how obesity and kidney disease are linked.
9. Avoid self medication: All the medicines you take have to pass through the kidney for filtration. Increased dosage or taking medicines that you are not aware of can increase the toxin load on your kidneys. That’s why you should always follow dosage recommendations and avoid self medication. Read more about how drugs affect the kidneys.
10. Think before you take supplements and herbal medicine: If you’re on vitamin supplements or if you’re taking some herbal supplements, you should reconsider your dosage requirement. Excessive amount of vitamins and certain plant extracts are linked to kidney damage. You should talk to your doctor about the risk of kidney disease before taking them.
While you are following these tips and trying to keep your kidneys healthy, you should also be aware of various signs and symptoms that can indicate a kidney problem. If you notice any of these 12 symptoms of kidney disease, you should consult a doctor immediately.
References:
- Kidney disease, chronic-Prevention (http://www.nhs.uk/)
- Preventing Kidney stones. Harvard Health Publications (http://www.health.harvard.edu/)
- Ways to prevent kidney problems (http://www.advancednaturalmedicine.com)
- Penniston KL. Effect of dietary changes on urinary oxalate excretion and calcium oxalate supersaturation in patients with hyperoxaluric stone formation.
source :TOI
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