Heartburn and indigestion pills can increase kidney failure risk

Heartburn and indigestion pills can increase kidney failure risk

Medication should be avoided unless advised by the doctor and is necessary

New Delhi, 26 November 2017: Popping common heartburn and indigestion pills can increase the risk of kidney failure, if recent studies are to be believed. The study found that individuals who used proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which reduce gastric acid production, had a 33% increased relative risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) or kidney failure when compared with non-users. The IMA further advises that it is best to avoid medication unless necessary and advised by the doctor.

Chronic kidney disease can strike any one. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes. Other risk factors for kidney disease include heart disease and a family history of kidney failure—a severe form of kidney disease.

Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President, Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon Honorary Secretary General IMA, in a joint statement, said, “AGFR below 60 is a sign of chronic kidney disease. A GFR below 15 is described as kidney failure. Without treatment, kidney disease often gets worse. If the GFR drops below 15, a person may feel tired and weak, with nausea, vomiting, and itching. At this point, one may need a kidney transplant or dialysis. Optimal hydration is the key to maintaining good kidney health. 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. CKD is also associated with metabolic disorders and bone disease and is an important risk factor for peripheral vascular diseases, cardiovascular disease and stroke.”

Signs and symptoms of kidney disease are often nonspecific, meaning they can also be caused by other illnesses. As the kidneys are highly adaptable and able to compensate for lost function, signs and symptoms may not appear until irreversible damage has occurred.

Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “CKD can be diagnosed using blood and urine tests. These tests are used to look for high levels of certain substances in your blood and urine that are signs your kidneys aren't working properly.”

The 8 Golden Rules to avoid or delay reaching the point of kidney failure.

·   Keep fit and active as it can help reduce your blood pressure.

·   Keep regular control of your blood sugar level as about half of people who have diabetes develop kidney damage.

·   Eat healthy and keep your weight in check as this can help prevent diabetes, heart disease and other conditions associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD).  Reduce your salt intake.

·   Maintain a healthy fluid intake. Traditional wisdom has long suggested drinking 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. 

·   Do not smoke as it slows the flow of blood to the kidneys. Smoking also increases the risk of kidney cancer by about 50%.

·   Do not take over-the-counter pills on a regular basis: drugs like ibuprofen are known to cause kidney damage and disease if taken regularly.

Never ignore a symptom, which is unusual, unexplained or occurs for the first time in life

Never ignore a symptom, which is unusual, unexplained or occurs for the first time in life Indigestion, persistent cough, shortness of breath, constipation, fever, headache, feeling tired all the time are some common symptoms that many of us experience, but their significance is often undermined in the rush of the day to day life. We often ignore symptoms or minimize their significance and delay going to the doctor. But, this is how our body tries to tell us that all is not well and it’s time to see a doctor. These symptoms are important as they may be due to a disease. At times, many of these common symptoms may signal a serious disease condition. Messages describing the ‘warning signs’ of many diseases like cancer, heart attack, stroke etc. are often displayed in public places and even in clinics and hospitals for patients to read. Take cancer for an example. Some common warning signs of cancer have been defined: • Change in bowel or bladder habits. • A sore that does not heal. • Unusual bleeding or discharge. • Thickening or lump in the breast, testicles, or elsewhere. • Indigestion or difficulty swallowing. • Obvious change in the size, colour, shape, or thickness of a wart, mole, or mouth sore. • Nagging cough or hoarseness. • Weight loss Then there are warning signs of different types of cancer such as bowel cancer, lung cancer. Warning signs of bowel cancer may include: • A recent, persistent change in bowel habit • A change in appearance of bowel movements • Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding • Feeling of incomplete evacuation • Unexplained anemia • Rectal/anal pain or a lump in the rectum/anus • Abdominal pain or swelling • Weight loss Some warning signs of lung cancer may include • Persistent cough • Change in a chronic cough • Shortness of breath • Pain in the chest area • Wheezing • Hoarseness of voice • Weight loss And the list may go on… Often people ignore warning signals and do not address them until they fall ill, often with grave consequences. So, instead of defining warning signals for each disease condition, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) advocates universal warning signals “Never ignore a symptom which is unusual (different than usual), unexplained or occurring for the first time in life”… They may be red flags to consult a doctor as soon as possible. • Do not ignore first attack of acidity after the age of 40 as it may be a sign of heart attack. All wheeze is not asthma and all asthmatics do not wheeze. • Do not ignore first attack of asthma after the age of 40 as it may be a sign of heart attack. • You may have been getting headaches for years but if the present episode of headache is unusual, severe and unexplained, you need immediate medical attention. • If you get up exhausted after hours of rest, this needs to be evaluated. Remember the following: • Signals for emergent attention mean to call the doctor right away. • Symptoms for urgent attention mean to contact the doctor same day. • Symptoms for attention mean doctor to be informed in the next visit. One should be able to differentiate emergent from urgent symptoms and signs. Emergency warrants medical attention within minutes. The window period for cardiac arrest is 10 minutes, for heart attack 3 hours, for stroke 3 hours and for stoppage of bleeding 1 hour. Stay alert to live longer and live healthy …. Dr KK Aggarwal National President IMA and HCFI