Kidney disease is no longer a rare condition, all thanks to our unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyle that has increased our susceptibility to kidney problems.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Burden of Disease Project, kidney disease contributes to nearly 850,000 deaths per year, along with other urinary tract problems. In order to understand why the global burden of kidney disease is increasing, you need to understand its causes, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an age related progressive loss of kidney function. However, several conditions that can damage the kidneys and reduce their ability to filter wastes from the blood (glomerular filtration rate or GFR) are also included in chronic kidney disease. Once the kidneys start losing their ability to filter blood effectively, wastes start building up in the body resulting in many other complications. By definition, chronic kidney disease occurs when the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is below 60 mL/min/1.73m2 for a period of 3 months or more.
Diabetes and hypertension are the leading causes of kidney disease. As per the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), the following conditions can also cause kidney disease:
Factors that put you at a higher risk of CKD include:
‘The most dangerous thing about CKD is that it progresses silently and is asymptomatic in the early stages. So, most patients will not develop any symptoms until kidney disease progresses to an advanced stage,’ says Dr Deepa Jayaram, consultant nephrologist and renal transplantologist. Here are some symptoms caused in the later stages of the disease.
About 10% of the general population suffers from kidney impairment of some kind, which if not diagnosed and treated at an early stage can lead to CKD, the prevalence of which is 1% in India, says Dr Saurabh Pokhariyal, director, Nephrology and Renal Transplant, FMRI.
According to Dr Jain, the problem lies in delaying regular health checkups. ‘Poor lifestyle practices increases the incidence of diabetes and high blood pressure,’ he says. If you know your risk factors and the status of your kidney function, you can make lifestyle and dietary changes early and save you kidneys from deteriorating completely.
When you go for an annual screening of your kidney function, you will have to undergo some or all of the following tests:
1. Blood tests:Several markers in the blood can help identify the actual kidney function. Urea and creatinine are the gold standards to detect kidney disease.
2. Urine tests: The ratio of values for blood and urine marker can give the actual rate of clearance of kidneys.
3. Estimated GFR: eGFR is the estimate of filtration rate of the kidneys based on a formula that include serum creatinine values along with correction factors like age, gender and race.
4. Imaging tests: Imaging test like renal ultrasound uses ultrasonic waves to analyse the size and shape of the kidneys to identify renal injury and changes in filtration capacity of the kidneys.
Read about 8 tests for checking if your kidneys are functioning fine.
Most cases of CKD are diagnosed at a later stage when nothing much can be done about it. But when CKD is diagnosed at an early stage, further deterioration of kidney function can be prevented with appropriate treatment.
1. Medication: To prevent worsening of kidney function, medicines for controlling modifiable risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglyceride levels are prescribed.
2. Dialysis: ‘Dialysis is advised when the patient diagnosed with chronic kidney disease or CKD has glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 10 mL/min/1.73 m2. It is needed when the patient’s kidneys stop functioning and he experiences breathlessness due to excess water, increased acid level and high potassium level in the system,’ says Dr Harsh Dodeja, consultant nephrologist, Fortis Hospital, Mumbai. ‘These factors may result in heart rhythm abnormalities when left untreated. ‘But remember, dialysis cannot cure kidney disease. It is just supports the kidney function until the body may recover,’ he adds.
3. Kidney transplant: With kidney failure, regular dialysis may become difficult for both the patients and the staff. So, kidney transplant is the best option for such patients. But it is quite expensive. Only a few patients may afford it. Kidney transplant in India costs between 4 to 7 lakhs, in a private hospital in India.
Chronic kidney disease can be prevented. While nothing can be done about some factors like age, ethnicity or external injury to the kidneys, you can prevent a lot of other major risk factors leading to kidney disease. Also, minimizing stress on the kidneys right from the beginning can reduce your risk of developing CKD later in life. Here are 5 expert tips to keep your kidneys healthy
Dr Salin Jain offers some tips to prevent kidney disease:
Reduce your consumption of potassium-rich desserts; instead, opt for sooji halwa with less sugar, coconut ladoos with jaggery, or apple kheer using milk alternatives
Health data shows that 28.3% of older people in rural areas and 36.8% in cities have one or more illnesses.
Addressing chronic kidney disease (CKD) in India demands a comprehensive strategy, considering that over 17% of the population is affected.
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Reduce your consumption of potassium-rich desserts; instead, opt for sooji halwa with less sugar, coconut ladoos with jaggery, or apple kheer using milk alternatives
Health data shows that 28.3% of older people in rural areas and 36.8% in cities have one or more illnesses.
Addressing chronic kidney disease (CKD) in India demands a comprehensive strategy, considering that over 17% of the population is affected.
The challenges are substantial, and a joint effort between healthcare professions and public and private healthcare organizations is essential to improve equitable, evidence-based, and high-quality kidney health for all in India.
The complex interplay between cancer treatment and renal function requires a multidisciplinary approach, with nephrologists playing a vital part in improving patient outcomes.
Screening for chronic kidney disease is a life-saving strategy that can substantially impact public health in India.
Dr Reetesh Sharma shares five practices to reduce chronic kidney disease risk.
The benefits of Kidney transplantation over dialysis are proved across all age groups for those candidates who are suitable for transplantation.
Diabetic Kidney Disease: An Arising Complication Of Indians
Dr Sanjeev Gulati shares all the myths and facts about 'Diet In Kidney Disease'.
India adds about 2.2 lakh new patients of end-stage kidney disease each year, the country's dialysis sector can accommodate only 1.75 lakh patients.
Do you know that people undergoing transplants have a better quality of life and lower treatment costs than dialysis?
If diagnosed early, the progression of chronic kidney disease may be slowed down or prevented. Here are the tests that need to be done to detect the condition.
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A new study has found that people with metabolic syndrome who also suffer from kidney problems are at a higher risk of suffering from heart disease. Read on to know how you can manage this syndrome.
Early diagnosis and checking for the signs and symptoms can help prevent kidney diseases in children suggests paediatric nephrologist Dr Varsha Mhaske.
As we celebrate World Kidney Day 2020 with aim of generating awareness about renal conditions, here are facts that your nephrologist will want you to know.
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