Kidney Care

A pair of kidneys are the organs which filter toxic wastes and removes excess fluids from our body. With the current lifestyle, non-communicable diseases are on the rise. Due to which almost one in every ten individuals suffer from kidney disease. Global burden of diseases ranks kidney disease as one of the leading causes of disability, morbidity and mortality in India. For most of the patients, kidney transplantation seems to be the only cure.

What are the risk factors for kidney disease?

Diabetes: Being one of the most common non-communicable disease, diabetes increases the risk of kidney disease ten-fold. It is the number one cause for kidney failure in current time.
Hypertension: High blood pressure increases the risk of renal failure much similar to that of diabetes. Often, patients with diabetes also manifest high blood pressure leading to increased renal damage.
Renal Stone Disease - The change in life style and food habits has lead to rise in the number of patients with renal stones. Proper water intake, healthy life style and early treatment of kidney stones can prevent kidney failure.
Over the counter medicines, certain pain killer called as NSAIDS and some traditional medicines can lead to kidney failure especially if taken for a long duration.
Glomerulonephritis - leakage of proteins or blood through the filters in the kidney can lead to renal failure over time. These can be isolated to kidney or part of autoimmune disorder. Diagnosis & adequate treatment can save the kidneys.
Genetic Disorder like polycystic kidney disease, hyperuricemia, structural kidney diseases can lead to kidney failure.

Signs and symptoms in kidney disease

Timely diagnosis and management of kidney disease not only retards the progression but also prevent it. It is imperative that people are educated about preventive measures, vigilant mind to recognize kidney disease through its subtle significant signs and symptoms.

Swelling in the body: Protein loss leads to accumulation of fluid and swelling in the body.
Frothy urine or red coloured urine.
Change in the urine frequency, consistency, urgency, could also indicate renal damage.
Constant itching in the body: Accumulation of wastes in the blood causes severe itching.
Weakness, easy fatigability, shortness of breath on mild exertion
High Blood Pressure seen in young person or new onset BP in elderly can be sign of kidney failure.

Any of the above signs can be assessed by a kidney specialist ensuring early management and prevention of kidney failure.

Prevention:

Ways to keep kidney healthy:

Hydration. most kidney specialists recommend 8 glasses of water or 2.5 litre of water per day to ensure great health to kidneys.
Eat Healthy. A balanced, nutritious diet and healthy foods will help in maintaining desired Blood sugar & Blood pressure & prevent kidney diseases.
Regular monitoring of blood pressures and adequate BP control.
Maintaining Ideal body weight promotes healthy functioning of kidneys.

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