Chronic kidney disease is preventable: expert

UP to 90% of people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remain unidentified and one out of every 10 individuals in the general population has some degree of CKD, a consultant nephrologist and transplant physician said yesterday.
“Though CKD, under which kidneys gradually lose their ability to function, is common and harmful, the silver lining is that it is preventable and treatable at the same time,” Dr Mohamed Asim from Hamad Medical Corporation explained.
He pointed out that every day kidneys filter and clean 200 litres of blood in a human being. Besides this, kidneys also help to control blood pressure, to help produce red blood cells and to keep the bones healthy.
“The theme of the World Kidney Day 2008, ‘Amazing Kidneys,’ therefore reinforces the positive message that kidneys are wonderful organs indeed,” Dr Asim observed.
CKD can be detected through two simple and inexpensive tests: measurement of urine protein level and measurement of blood serum creatinine concentration in people who are at high risk of developing kidney disease.
“Early detection and treatment of CKD can not only slow or halt the progression of patients to end stage kidney failure, but it can also significantly reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, which are by far the most common cause of premature deaths worldwide,” he said.
Dr Asim advised that those having anyone with kidney disease in the family, or suffering from diabetes, hypertension, and recurrent kidney tract infection, kidney stones, and kidney inflammation should consult a doctor.
Symptoms such as blood in urine, frothy or turbid urine, pain when passing urine, difficulty in passing urine, passing stone with urine, frequent urination at night, loin/back pain, and swollen ankles or puffy face could be indicators of kidney disease.
“You could be kind to your kidneys by staying fit and maintaining a healthy weight, being a non-smoker, drinking water instead of sugary or carbonated drinks, controlling blood pressure, and ensuring blood glucose level is well controlled if you have diabetes,” Dr Asim suggested.
The consultant also urged kidney patients, organ transplant recipients, donor families, living donors, medical and business communities and the general public to participate in the walkathon on Friday on the Corniche aimed at focusing on prevention of kidney diseases and awareness on the need for organ donation.