World kidney day, a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations, is celebrated on the second Thursday of March. Started in 2006, it is an international day to raise global health awareness about kidneys, focusing on the importance of kidneys and reducing the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide. The objective of this day is to highlight the fact that diabetes and high blood pressure are key risk factors for chronic kidney disease, encourage screening of all patients with diabetes and hypertension for chronic kidney disease and encourage preventive behaviours.
This year’s campaign focuses on the theme ‘Protect your kidneys: Control diabetes’. Diabetes is one of the major contributing factors for kidney failure and is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease.
Kidneys serve a very important function in the human body, mainly to remove toxins and excess water from our blood. They help to control our blood pressure and red blood cell production and keep our bones healthy.
Kidney disease is common, life-threatening and treatable, if detected early. Every year, millions of people die prematurely due to kidney failure and heart attacks and strokes linked to chronic kidney disease. Diseases affecting the kidney are often silent, having few symptoms, especially in early stages. If left unchecked, the disease can progress or lead to kidney failure, which can then severely affect the quality of life.
If kidney disease is detected early, appropriate treatment can delay or prevent the development of chronic kidney disease. It is simple to detect early signs of kidney problems by taking some precautions and undergoing a few tests.
Precautions to keep kidneys healthy:
1. Be fit and active – This may sound like a cliché but keeping yourself fit and active may help to control your blood sugar and therefore reduces the risk of chronic kidney disease.
2. Control diabetes - Although many people may be aware that high blood pressure and diabetes can lead to stroke and heart disease, few know that it can also cause kidney damage. World Kidney Day 2010 focuses on controlling diabetes, highlighting the importance of keeping blood sugar level in control, as it is a key cause of chronic kidney disease. About half of those people who have diabetes develop early signs of kidney damage.
3. Keep your weight in check - This can help prevent diabetes, heart disease and other conditions associated to chronic kidney disease.
4. Get your kidneys checked regularly - It is important for people with diabetes to have regular tests to check their kidney functions and control their blood sugar levels. Checking kidney function must be a high priority for people considered to be at risk of kidney disease. Early detection is essential and allows suitable treatment before kidney damage or deterioration manifests itself through other complications.
5. Beware of OTCs - Do not take over-the-counter pills on a regular basis- common drugs such non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are known to cause kidney damage and disease if taken regularly. Such medications probably do not pose significant danger if your kidneys are relatively healthy and you use them occasionally, but their use in chronic pain for conditions such as arthritis can be harmful. Consult a doctor to find a way to control your pain without putting your kidneys at risk.
Last but not the least, if you have a family history of kidney disease, it is particularly important for you to get your kidney function checked.