WORLD KIDNEY DAY
(MOREPIC1) Face2News/Chandigarh
Kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining our health by removing waste and extra fluid from the body. Even as disorders related to kidneys are common throughout the world, awareness levels about it continue to be considerably low. To raise awareness on kidney and its related complications, World Kidney Day is celebrated on the second Thursday in March every year. The theme of this year’s event is “Kidney Health for All.”
Dr Sunil Kumar, Senior Consultant and Kidney Transplant Surgeon at Fortis Hospital Mohali, through an advisory explains the importance of maintaining kidney health and prevention of related diseases, especially chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Why are kidney diseases on the rise these days?
Kidney ailmentssuch as stones, infection, CKD, drug-related kidney injury, cancer etc. have increased manifold in the last few decades. People between 30-50 years of age have also complained of underlying kidney diseases. Besides change in lifestyle, certain foods and habits such as consuming excess salt/sweet, pain medication, self-medication, consuming less water, high protein diet, meat in excess (red meat), processed foods, alcohol, smoking, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, chronic sitting and holding urine for long may cause kidney problems.(SUBHEAD)
What is Chronic Kidney Disease(CKD)?
CKD is defined as abnormalities of kidney structure or function, present for more than 3 months, with implications for health. It involves a fall in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of the body from 90 ml/minute to less than 60 ml/minute. GFR is the rate at which kidneys filter the blood and in healthy individuals, it should be more than 90 ml/minute. Diabetes, hypertension and glomerulonephritis are the three primary causes for CKD.
What are the symptoms of CKD?
As CKD does not exhibit any symptom in the early stage, it is difficult to diagnose it early. “In case of symptoms such as extreme fatigue, decreased appetite, swelling over body, difficulty in concentration, disturbance in sleep, high blood pressure, frothing in urine, excessive body itch, tendency to vomit, difficulty in breathing etc., contact a kidney disease medical expert immediately,” added Dr Kumar.
How is CKD diagnosed?
Dr Kumar said tests such as blood urea or blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, urine routine and microscopic examination, micro-albumin creatinine ratio test, ultrasound of the abdomen and a kidney biopsy can help diagnose the condition.
How to maintain kidney health
Giving tips on maintaining kidney health, Dr Kumar, said, “Follow a healthy lifestyle, consume plenty of water, eat a balanced diet, have a sound sleep of 6-8 hours, regular exercise and regular check-up can help prevent kidney diseases.”
