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.

8 golden rules to preventing kidney diseases

8 golden rules to preventing kidney diseases Chronic kidney disease, especially end stage or third stage kidney disorders are on the rise in India. New Delhi, March 24, 2017: Chronic kidney disease can strike any one. 17% of urban Indians suffer from kidney disease, as per latest estimates. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes which today account for 40–60% cases of CKD in India.
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.
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, “If you have these risk factors, it is important to be screened for kidney disease. That usually involves simple laboratory tests: a urine test to look for kidney damage, and a blood test to measure how well the kidneys are working. The urine test checks for a protein called albumin, which is not routinely detected when your kidneys are healthy. The blood test checks your GFR—glomerular filtration rate. GFR is an estimate of filtering ability of your kidney. A GFR 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 your GFR drops below 15, you may feel tired and weak, with nausea, vomiting and itching. By that point, you 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”, adds Dr K K Aggarwal.
The 8 Golden Rules to avoid or delay reaching the point of kidney failure:
1. Keep fit and active, it helps reduce your blood pressure and on the move for kidney health. 2. Keep regular control of your blood sugar level as about half of people who have diabetes develop kidney damage. 3. Monitor your blood pressure: It is also the most common cause of kidney damage. The normal blood pressure level is 120/80. Between this level and 129/89, you are considered pre-hypertensive and should adopt lifestyle and dietary changes. At 140/90 and above, you should discuss the risks with your doctor and monitor your blood pressure level regularly. High blood pressure is especially likely to cause kidney damage when associated with other factors like diabetes, high cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases. 4. 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. The recommended sodium intake is 5-6 grams of salt per day (around a teaspoon). In order to reduce your salt intake, try and limit the amount of processed and restaurant food and do not add salt to food. It will be easier to control your intake if you prepare the food yourself with fresh ingredients. 5. Maintain a healthy fluid intake: Traditional wisdom has long suggested drinking 1.5 to 2 litres (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. But do not advocate “aggressive fluid loading”, which can cause side effects. 6. Do not smoke as 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 pills on a regular basis: drugs like ibuprofen are known to cause kidney damage and disease if taken regularly. 8. Get the kidney function checked if you have one or more of the ‘high risk’ factors.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4446915/

Recurrent kidney stones: IMA guidelines

Recurrent kidney stones: IMA guidelines
About half of people who develop a kidney stone will find it recurring at least once at some stage. New Delhi, March 20, 2017: Lifetime prevalence of kidney stones is approximately 13% in men and 7% in women. Without treatment, approximately 35% to 50% of those with kidney stones will experience recurrence within 5 years from the first stone. Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) in a joint statement said, “A stone may cause no problems but often it causes pain. Most kidney stones are small and pass out with the urine. Some stones become stuck in a kidney or in the tube draining urine from the kidney (the ureter). They can then cause persistent symptoms or problems. There are various treatment options to remove a stuck stone. About half of people who have a kidney stone develop another one at a later time in their life. Drinking plenty of water each day may prevent this from happening again (a recurrence).”
“Some stones become stuck in a kidney or in one of the tubes draining urine from a kidney (the ureter) and cause persistent symptoms or problems. In these cases, the pain usually becomes severe and you may need to be admitted to hospital. Sometimes a large stone can completely block the passage of urine down one of the tubes draining urine from the kidney (the ureter). This may lead to infection or damage to the kidney. This is usually avoided, as X-rays or scans will detect a blockage and large stones can be removed.”, adds Dr K K Aggarwal.
Following are some guidelines: • Increase fluid intake to achieve at least 2 L of urine per day. “Increased fluid intake spread throughout the day can decrease stone recurrence by at least half with virtually no side effects. However, people who already drink the recommended amount of liquids, or when increased fluid intake is contraindicated, should not increase their fluid intake. • Available evidence shows no difference between intake of tap water or intake of a specific brand of mineral water in preventing kidney stones. • If drinking increased amounts of water is ineffective in preventing kidney stones, one may try pharmacologic monotherapy with a thiazide diuretic, citrate, or allopurinol. These three types of drugs effectively reduced recurrence of composite calcium stones in patients who had a history of two or more stones. Combination therapy is no more effective than monotherapy. All these drugs were associated with adverse events. For thiazides, these were orthostasis, gastrointestinal upset, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, and muscle symptoms. Citrates are associated with gastrointestinal symptoms and allopurinol with rash, acute gout, and leukopenia. • Patients should reduce intake of colas and other soft drinks acidified with phosphoric acid, as lower consumption is linked to lower risk for stone recurrence. • Fruit-flavored soft drinks can be taken as they are often acidified with citric acid. • Patients should reduce consumption of dietary oxalate, typically found in chocolate, beets, nuts, rhubarb, spinach, strawberries, tea, and wheat bran. • Patients should eat less dietary animal protein and purines. • Patients should maintain normal dietary calcium.

Painkillers may increase risk of cardiac arrest

Painkillers may increase risk of cardiac arrest Pain is one of the most common presenting complaints of patients. And, painkillers are the most widely used drugs, whether taken OTC or prescribed. But, they have side-effects and their adverse effects on GIT, kidney, heart and liver have been well-documented. Now a new research published in the March 2017 issue of European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy has shown an association of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), especialy diclofenac and ibuprofen, to increased risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. All patients who had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Denmark between 2001 and 2010 were identified from the nationwide Danish Cardiac Arrest Registry. Data was collected on all redeemed prescriptions for NSAIDs from Danish pharmacies since 1995. These included the non-selective NSAIDs (diclofenac, naproxen, ibuprofen), and COX-2 selective inhibitors (rofecoxib, celecoxib). A total of 28,947 patients had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Denmark during the 10-year period. Of these, 3,376 were treated with an NSAID up to 30 days before the event. Ibuprofen and diclofenac were the most commonly used NSAIDs, making up 51% and 22% of total NSAID use, respectively. Use of any NSAID was associated with a 31% increased risk of cardiac arrest. Diclofenac and ibuprofen were associated with a 50% and 31% increased risk, respectively. Naproxen, celecoxib and rofecoxib were not associated with the occurrence of cardiac arrest, probably due to a low number of events. It is a common perception amongst the public that OTC drugs are safe because they are available over the counter. However, this study further highlights the fact that though available without a doctor’s prescription, OTC drug does not mean that it can be taken without a doctor’s advice. If not taken as directed, painkillers can cause side effects, at times potentially dangerous. (Source: ESC Press release, March 15, 2017)