Kidney diseases are extremely common, harmful but can be treated. The increasing incidents of diabetes in the population, hypertension, obesity and smokers are at increased risk of developing Chronic Kidney disease. Kidney disease also leads to cardiovascular diseases and it is estimated that millions die due to heart failures prompted by kidney disease. The incidents of patients with kidney disease have taken on epidemic proportions on World Kidney Day. This day, which is usually celebrated on the 13th of March each year is marked by a lot of activities, celebrity participation, screening camps, walks, distribution of literature and posters, flyers and the inclusion of volunteers who help spread awareness about kidney diseases. WKD badges are also distributed to the general public, talks and seminars by health care professionals as well as easily accessible screening camps for kidney disease are held.
The day also affords the volunteers opportunity of raising awareness on the importance of kidneys to human existence. This year is being celebrated on the theme “Chronic Kidney Disease and Ageing” with emphasis on the need to maintain healthy diet, especially among the aged across the world. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a long-term condition that can be progressive but often is not. It is primarily a disease of older people, and the extent of this is only just being recognised. According to International Society of Nephrology and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF), the organizers of World Kidney Day, most people do not realise that diabetes and high blood pressure are key risk factors for Chronic Kidney Disease, which can result in kidney failure and even premature death. In its latest information on the disease, IFKF noted that the prevalence of CKD is increasing dramatically and the cost of treating it poses an enormous burden on healthcare systems worldwide. About 1 in 10 people have some form of kidney damage, and every year millions die prematurely of complications related to their kidney disease.
The organizers, in a release issued in Brussels, pointed out that around 600 million persons worldwide have some form of kidney damage. According to the statement Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), predicted to increase by 17% over the next decade, is now recognized as global public health issue. If detected early and managed appropriately, the deterioration in kidney function can be slowed or even stopped - yet awareness of kidney diseases is still very low and many people underestimate the vital role their kidneys play.
Chairs of World Kidney Day International Steering Committee, Professor John Feehally and Dr Guillermo Garcia Garcia in an interview with RAD stressed that CKD can occur at any age; it becomes more common with increasing age. After the age of 40, kidney filtration may begin to fall by approximately 1% per year. On top of the natural aging of the kidneys, many conditions which damage the kidneys are more common in older people including diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. The duo added that early detection of failing kidney function is crucial because it allows suitable treatment before kidney damage or deterioration manifests itself through other complications. They specifically emphasized that the early detection would go in a long way of dramatically reducing the growing burden of deaths and disability from chronic renal and cardiovascular disease worldwide.
Medical experts have identified keeping fit and active, keeping regular control of blood sugar level, monitoring blood pressure, eating balanced diet and checking weight, maintaining a healthy fluid intake, stop taking over-the-counter pills on a regular basis, stop smoking and always check the kidneys for one or more of the ‘high risk’ factors as the eight golden rules and specific prevention strategies for the disease.
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