| Kidney Disease |
| FACTS: |
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CKD is very common in India, however the true magnitude is not known. As a comparison, 200 million Americans – 1 in 10 US adults – have CKD and another 20 million are at increased risk. |
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Every year approximately100,000 to 500,000 develop kidney failure and less than 10% get treatment |
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Unlike in majority of the countries of the world, cost of renal replacement therapy (e.g., dialysis) in India is borne by the patient. Due to the high cost, only 3% to 5% of all patients with kidney failure get some form of renal replacement therapy. |
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Anyone at any age can get CKD. However, people with diabetes, hypertension and family history of kidney disease are at higher risk. With increasing incidence of diabetes, the incidence of CKD is expected to rise. |
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CKD increases risk of heart attack or stroke, especially if one smokes or is overweight |
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Early detection can help slow the progression of CKD to kidney failure |
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| 1. What is Chronic Kidney Disease? |
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Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a group of diseases that progressively damage your kidneys resulting in their ability to do the work the way they should
Kidneys are body’s filters. They keep you healthy by: |
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removing excess water and wastes from blood. |
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maintaining proper balance of chemicals such as sodium, potassium, and calcium within your body |
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regulating acid-base balance in blood |
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releasing hormones that regulate blood pressure, make red blood cells, and maintain healthy bones |
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removing medicines and toxins introduced into your body |
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2. What are the most common symptoms of kidney disease?Most people do not have symptoms during the early stages of the disease which may last for several months or years. As the disease progresses you may: |
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feel more tired and lethargic |
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have trouble sleeping |
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have trouble concentrating |
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have swelling in the hands, feet, ankles, and face (especially around the eyes when you wake up) |
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have poor appetite or lose weight without trying |
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feel nauseated or vomit |
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urination problems, more or less urine than usual, or a change in how often you urinate |
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have dry and itchy skin |
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During later stages of CKD, you may develop complications like anemia (low red blood cell count), weak bones, poor nutrition and nerve damage. |
3. What are the risk factors associated with kidney disease?
Most common risk factors are: |
• Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• Heredity |
4. What are the ways to control and prevent kidney disease?
You can prevent or control kidney disease, by taking care of your kidneys: |
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Drinking 6 - 8 glasses of water or other drinks (such as milk drinks or fruit juice) each day |
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Eating a healthy diet so that you get all the minerals and vitamins that your body needs |
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Staying away from drugs like tobacco, cigarettes and alcohol - these make the kidneys' job more difficult. |
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If you have diabetes or/and high blood pressure follow the prescribed treatment in consultation with a doctor. |
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Maintain healthy body weight by following regular exercise schedule |
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Avoid using large amounts of over-the-counter pain-relieving medications |
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5. What will happen if kidney fails to work?
Some people don't have healthy kidneys, and sometimes their kidneys stop working and this is called kidney failure. This gradually leads to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). |
At this stage people need to go on a special machine that acts like a kidney to wash and clean the blood. This is called dialysis. |
Sometimes people can have a kidney transplant, which means that they get a kidney from some other person. |
KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER |
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The two most common causes of CKD are diabetes and high blood pressure. Nearly half of all cases of CKD are due to poorly controlled diabetes and hypertension. |
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If you are at increased risk for kidney disease, visit your doctor or clinic and get screened which involves simple tests: |
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- a blood pressure reading;
- a test for protein in your urine; and
- a blood test for creatinine to estimate your glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which tells your doctor the status of your kidney function. |
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Resources:
About, Inc, New York Times Comapny
National Kidney Disease Education Programme, US
Children Health Fund
National Kidney Foundation |
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