On World Kidney Day on March 12, nephrologists debated and spoke of various diseases related to the organ, but it was hypertension and diabetes that were constant refrains among them. Without exception, experts continued to stress that uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension were the most common causes for kidney ailments.
As evidenced by a three-year study by nephrologists at NIMS, Hyderabad, 32 per cent of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients had diabetes. The study was conducted on 237 kidney patients in Telangana, the results of which were published in the 2011 issue of Haemodialysis International . It said only 30 per cent patients were aware of the option of a kidney transplant.
“Having optimum levels of BP and sugar is a must to avoid kidney ailments. In our study, we found that 43 per cent of kidney patients drop out from treatment. The disease burden of kidney ailments is increasing because of present-day lifestyle,” says Swarna Latha, Associate Professor of nephrology at NIMS, and in-charge of the State-run Jeevandan programme.
Prevention the cure
Senior doctors say prevention is the only way to avoid kidney ailments. “Prevention is vital because treatment for kidney disease is very expensive and prohibitive. Close to 4.5 lakh patients develop kidney failure in India and most of them come to the physician in the late stages,” says president-elect of the Indian Society of Nephrology (ISN) Pradeep Deshpande
Silent entry
Doctors point out that in most cases, early kidney disease is asymptomatic with no visible signs or symptoms that a person might have a kidney disease. “Besides being silent, what is more worrying is that there is an explosion of kidney diseases in this century because of lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension and obesity. It is important to understand that once kidney disease is established over three to six months, it is irreversible,” says the head of nephrology at Yashoda Hospitals Urmila Anandh.
Key to a healthy kidney
“Leading a healthy and balanced life with a sensible diet, appropriate fluid intake, adequate sleep, regular exercise, avoidance of unnecessary medications and good control of underlying diseases like BP and sugar are key for a health kidney,” says senior kidney specialist at Apollo Hospitals V. Ravi Andrews. Some experts have also come up with simple solutions. “Drink a glass of water and give one to others to protect kidneys. While water may not cure kidney ailments, but it definitely will protect kidneys,” says C. Mallkarjuna of Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology.
Reporting by M. Sai Gopal
