#WorldKidneyDay: Most kidney diseases can be prevented with awareness & prevention
World Kidney Day
Most kidney diseases can be prevented with awareness & prevention
Hypertension, diabetes and obesity contribute to high risk of kidney disease
Untreated urinary tract infections another cause of chronic kidney disease and renal failure
Ghaziabad, March 9: One of the leading causes of death and morbidity across the world, kidney diseases account for a major health burden. However, it is important to underline that a large number of kidney ailments can be prevented, or at least their impact can be controlled with control over blood pressure, blood sugar and body weight, and regular preventive screenings.
As we observe World Kidney Day, doctors at Columbia Asia Hospitals, Ghaziabad say lack of awareness about kidney disease, its potentially serious repercussions and causes needs to be addressed urgently to control the rising burden of the disease.
The National Kidney Foundation of India estimates that 100 people in a million suffer from kidney ailments in India and around 90,000 kidney transplants are required annually in India.
“Chronic kidney disease is a progressive failure of kidney function which can cause death if not treated and controlled on time. However, apart from treating kidney disease, it is equally important to prevent it. Untreated urinary tract infections, uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension together constitute the leading causes of kidney disease. Controlling and preventing these factors are very important. Unfortunately, a large number of people in India do not take diabetes and blood pressure management seriously. Similarly, many urinary tract infections are not treated completely, which then cause kidney infection and progressive failure,” said Dr K.D. Sadhwani, Consultant, Nephrology, Columbia Asia Hospitals, Ghaziabad.
Kidney infections occur when bacteria enters the urinary tract. Once ingrained inside the tract this infection travels towards the kidney. Bacteria from other infected organs can also travel to the kidney resulting in its progressive malfunction. Loss of kidney function means that the body fails to cleanse the blood of impurities and this may lead to imminent death. The need for safeguarding against urinary tract infections and treating them properly is crucial to prevent kidney disease.
The medical community today is also associating obesity with increased incidence of kidney disease. Obesity and being overweight are risk factors for chronic kidney disease and are associated with the progression of the disease. Obesity is a leading cause of diabetes and hypertension, and the two conditions in turn are among the leading causes of kidney disease. People with metabolic syndrome are more likely to develop kidney disease than people without it. Losing extra flab might also slow disease progression in people already diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.
“It is important to start kidney infection treatment as soon as it is discovered. If delayed, the infection can spread to other body organs where blood travels. If you notice any of the symptoms associated with urinary tract infection such as burning or pain while urinating or recurrent fever consult your doctor immediately. It is therefore important to begin kidney infection treatment as soon as symptoms begin to show. Your doctor will order a urine test to establish infection to detect the presence of pus or blood in the urine”, said Dr. K.D. Sadhwani, Consultant, Nephrology, Columbia Asia Hospitals, Ghaziabad.
When your kidneys are damaged, waste products and fluid can build up in your body causing swelling in your ankles, vomiting, weakness, poor sleep, and shortness of breath. Inability to remove potassium from the bloodstream may lead to abnormal heart rhythms and sudden death. Initially kidney failure may cause no symptoms. Without treatment, the damage can get worse, and your kidneys may eventually stop working. This can be life-threatening. Awareness on the importance of kidneys is the need of the hour. Patients need to be encouraged towards systematic screening and preventive behavior.
About Columbia Asia Hospitals Pvt. Ltd.
Columbia Asia Hospitals Pvt. Ltd. is the only company in India to utilize 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) route in the hospital sector.
About Columbia Asia Group of Companies
The Columbia Asia Group is owned by more than 150 private equity companies, fund management organizations and individual investors. The group currently operates eleven facilities in India and has presence in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Kolkata, Mysore, Patiala and Pune. The company also operates hospitals in Malaysia (11), Vietnam (3), and Indonesia (3). The Indian management operations are managed from its office in Bangalore.
