March 12 is World Kidney Day: Kidney Health for All!

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease or CKD has increased in the past few years in India. Early diagnosis and management delays progression and improves outcomes.

Patients who have diabetes, high blood pressure, atherosclerotic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and a family history of kidney failure are especially at high risk of developing CKD, said Padma Shri Awardee Dr A Marthanda Pillai National President IMA and Padma Shri, Dr B C Roy National Awardee & DST National Science Communication Awardee, Dr K K Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India and Honorary Secretary General IMA.

In its early stage, CKD has no symptoms – it is silent. This is also the stage when it is most treatable; hence, early diagnosis and intervention is very important. If left untreated, it can lead to kidney failure, they further added.

World Kidney Day is a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF) to create awareness about the health of our kidneys. The theme this year is ‘Kidney Health for All’. In line with this theme, IMA released guidelines to reduce the risk of developing kidney disease.

• If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar level under control
• Monitor and control your blood pressure with a goal of 140/90 mm Hg or less, if you are older than 60 years and have diabetes or CKD. In patients aged 60 years or above, who do not have diabetes or CKD, the goal blood pressure level is less than 150/90 mm Hg
• Eat a healthy diet
• Maintain a healthy body weight.
• Reduce intake of salt.
• Maintain a healthy fluid intake; if you have diarrhea, vomiting, or fever, drink adequate fluids to avoid dehydration
• Exercise regularly
• Quit smoking and use of other tobacco products; smoking reduces blood flow to the kidneys and may worsen kidney disease, which may already exist.
• Avoid regular intake of over-the-counter pills such as painkillers as they can damage the kidneys
• Get your kidney function checked if you are in the high risk group.