Golden Rules for preventing CKD: IMA

Golden Rules for preventing CKD: IMA

Kidney diseases are silent killers. There are several easy ways to reduce the risk of developing kidney disease

New Delhi, March 10, 2016:  One in every 10 adults in India suffers from chronic kidney disease (CKD), and at any given point, nearly five lakh patients are in need of life-long dialysis or transplant. Given its high incidence, the Indian Medical Association raises awareness about Chronic Kidney Disease and its prevention on the occasion of World Kidney Day

The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs that lie on either side of the spine in the lower middle of the back. The main function of the kidneys is to remove waste products and excess water from the blood. The kidneys process about 200 liters of blood every day and produce about 2 liters of urine. The waste products are generated from normal metabolic processes including the breakdown of active tissues, ingested foods, and other substances.

The kidneys allow consumption of a variety of foods, drugs, vitamins, dietary and herbal supplements, food additives, and excess fluids without worry that toxic by-products will build up to harmful levels. The kidney also plays a major role in regulating levels of various minerals such as calcium, sodium, and potassium in the blood.

Speaking about Chronic Kidney Disease Dr. S S Agarwal – National President IMA and Padma Shri Awardee – Dr. K K Aggarwal, Honorary Secretary General IMA & President HCFI said, “Chronic kidney disease occurs when one suffers from gradual and usually permanent loss of kidney function over time. This happens gradually, usually over months to years. Chronic kidney disease is divided into five stages of increasing severity. With loss of kidney function, there is an accumulation of water, waste, and toxic substances in the body that are normally excreted by the kidney. Loss of kidney function also causes other problems such as anemia, high blood pressure, acidosis (excessive acidity of body fluids), disorders of cholesterol and fatty acids, and bone disease”.

A few ways in which one can reduce the risk of developing Kidney Disease include:

1.      Keep active: Keeping fit helps to reduce your blood pressure and therefore reduces the risk of Chronic Kidney Disease. “On the move for kidney health” is a worldwide collective march involving the public, celebrities and professionals moving across a public area by walking, running and cycling.

2.      Keep fasting sugar < 80 mg%: About half of people who have diabetes develop kidney damage. Kidney damage from diabetes can be reduced or prevented if detected early. 

3.      Keep lower BP < 80 mm Hg: High blood pressure is also the most common cause of kidney damage. High blood pressure is especially likely to cause kidney damage when associated with other factors like diabetes, high cholesterol and Cardio- Vascular Diseases.

4.      Keep your abdominal circumference < 80 cm: Eat healthy and keep your weight in check. This can help prevent diabetes, heart disease and other conditions associated with Chronic Kidney Disease. Reduce your salt intake. The recommended sodium intake is 5-6 grams of salt per day (around a teaspoon). Limit the amount of processed and restaurant food and do not add salt to food. 

5.      Drink adequate fluids: Drink 1.5 to 2 liters (3 to 4 pints) of water per day. Consuming plenty of fluid helps the kidneys clear sodium, urea and toxins from the body, which, in turn, results in a “significantly lower risk” of developing chronic kidney disease.

6.      Do not smoke: It slows the flow of blood to the kidneys. Smoking also increases the risk of kidney cancer by about 50 percent.

7.      Do not take over-the-counter painkillers: Common drugs such non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are known to cause kidney damage and disease if taken regularly.