ETV Bharat / sukhibhava

Keep A Check On Your Kidney Health

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Published : Mar 11, 2021, 12:48 PM IST

From throwing out the toxic materials from the body, to controlling the production of red blood cells in the body, kidneys play a vital role in maintaining overall health. But, as much as we look after our gut health, do we do that for our kidneys at all? If not, today on World Kidney Day, here is what you need to know about the importance of kidneys and how they can be taken care of.

Kidney, Health, World Kidney Day
Kidney Health

On the second Thursday of March every year, World Kidney Day is celebrated with an aim to spread awareness about the importance of the kidneys in our body, associated diseases and how one can take care of it. This year, the day is being observed on 11th March, with the theme “Living Well with Kidney Disease”. The day was first marked in 2006 and was a joint initiative by the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF).

According to a study published by the Lancet on the burden of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in 2017, it was found that globally, in 2017, there were 697.5 million cases of CKD and 1.2 million people died from it. Almost a third of patients with CKD lived in two countries, China and India.

Objectives Of The Day

According to the official website of World Kidney Day, the main objectives of the day are to:

  • Raise awareness about our “amazing kidneys” Highlight that diabetes and high blood pressure are key risk factors for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
  • Encourage systematic screening of all patients with diabetes and hypertension for CKD.
  • Encourage preventive behaviors.
  • Educate all medical professionals about their key role in detecting and reducing the risk of CKD, particularly in high risk populations.
  • Stress the important role of local and national health authorities in controlling the CKD epidemic. On World Kidney Day all governments are encouraged to take action and invest in further kidney screening.
  • Encourage Transplantation as a best-outcome option for kidney failure, and the act of organ donation as a life-saving initiative.

Important Functions Of The Kidneys

Kidneys are vital because they help in removing toxins and excess fluids from the blood as well as keeps the blood pressure in control and produces red blood cells. Our bone health is also dependent on our kidneys. Thus, by expelling the waste out of the body, our overall health is maintained and the hormones produced ensure proper functioning of our body.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines CKD as a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood as well as they should. Because of this, excess fluid and waste from blood remain in the body and may cause other health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.

Some other health consequences of CKD, as mentioned by CDC include:

  1. Anemia or low number of red blood cells
  2. Increased occurrence of infections
  3. Low calcium levels, high potassium levels, and high phosphorus levels in the blood
  4. Loss of appetite or eating less
  5. Depression or lower quality of life

The level of seriousness may vary, however, the condition usually worsens over time. If timely treatment is not provided, it can lead to kidney failure and early cardiovascular disease. When the kidneys stop working, dialysis or transplant may be required. CDC also states that not all patients with kidney disease progress to kidney failure.

5 Major Risk Factors

  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Family history of CKD
  • Obesity

Also read : Golden Rules To Keep Your Kidneys Healthy

Keeping The Kidneys Healthy

Sujit Chatterjee, CEO of Dr. L H Hiranandani Hospital says, “Avoid Too Much Medicines & Pain Killers Intake of too many medicines is one of the major reasons for kidney failure and other chronic kidney diseases. So, whenever possible, go for natural therapies and if possible, go for Ayurvedic alternatives”. The 8 golden rules that he suggests to keep the kidneys healthy are:

  1. Keep blood sugar in control
  2. Keep yourself hydrated
  3. Maintain a healthy weight
  4. Avoid excessive drinking and try to quit smoking completely
  5. Keep a check on blood pressure
  6. Have a healthy diet
  7. Exercise regularly
  8. Go for routine body check-ups

On the second Thursday of March every year, World Kidney Day is celebrated with an aim to spread awareness about the importance of the kidneys in our body, associated diseases and how one can take care of it. This year, the day is being observed on 11th March, with the theme “Living Well with Kidney Disease”. The day was first marked in 2006 and was a joint initiative by the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF).

According to a study published by the Lancet on the burden of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in 2017, it was found that globally, in 2017, there were 697.5 million cases of CKD and 1.2 million people died from it. Almost a third of patients with CKD lived in two countries, China and India.

Objectives Of The Day

According to the official website of World Kidney Day, the main objectives of the day are to:

  • Raise awareness about our “amazing kidneys” Highlight that diabetes and high blood pressure are key risk factors for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
  • Encourage systematic screening of all patients with diabetes and hypertension for CKD.
  • Encourage preventive behaviors.
  • Educate all medical professionals about their key role in detecting and reducing the risk of CKD, particularly in high risk populations.
  • Stress the important role of local and national health authorities in controlling the CKD epidemic. On World Kidney Day all governments are encouraged to take action and invest in further kidney screening.
  • Encourage Transplantation as a best-outcome option for kidney failure, and the act of organ donation as a life-saving initiative.

Important Functions Of The Kidneys

Kidneys are vital because they help in removing toxins and excess fluids from the blood as well as keeps the blood pressure in control and produces red blood cells. Our bone health is also dependent on our kidneys. Thus, by expelling the waste out of the body, our overall health is maintained and the hormones produced ensure proper functioning of our body.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines CKD as a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood as well as they should. Because of this, excess fluid and waste from blood remain in the body and may cause other health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.

Some other health consequences of CKD, as mentioned by CDC include:

  1. Anemia or low number of red blood cells
  2. Increased occurrence of infections
  3. Low calcium levels, high potassium levels, and high phosphorus levels in the blood
  4. Loss of appetite or eating less
  5. Depression or lower quality of life

The level of seriousness may vary, however, the condition usually worsens over time. If timely treatment is not provided, it can lead to kidney failure and early cardiovascular disease. When the kidneys stop working, dialysis or transplant may be required. CDC also states that not all patients with kidney disease progress to kidney failure.

5 Major Risk Factors

  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Family history of CKD
  • Obesity

Also read : Golden Rules To Keep Your Kidneys Healthy

Keeping The Kidneys Healthy

Sujit Chatterjee, CEO of Dr. L H Hiranandani Hospital says, “Avoid Too Much Medicines & Pain Killers Intake of too many medicines is one of the major reasons for kidney failure and other chronic kidney diseases. So, whenever possible, go for natural therapies and if possible, go for Ayurvedic alternatives”. The 8 golden rules that he suggests to keep the kidneys healthy are:

  1. Keep blood sugar in control
  2. Keep yourself hydrated
  3. Maintain a healthy weight
  4. Avoid excessive drinking and try to quit smoking completely
  5. Keep a check on blood pressure
  6. Have a healthy diet
  7. Exercise regularly
  8. Go for routine body check-ups

TAGGED:

Kidney Kidney health World Kidney Day Objectives Of World Kidney Day Chronic Kidney Disease ETV Bharat Sukhibhava

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