The incidence of kidney disease is increasing in India. Statistics show that patients suffering from chronic kidney disease are mostly men in the age group of 40 to 60 years. Patients from the North zone were younger and those from the East zone older, compared to those from the South and West zones. Hypertension, chronic glomerulonephritis and unknown etiology are frequently the causes of kidney disease in India. Worryingly, nearly half of these problems have come to light during the last stages of renal failure.
The best treatment of end stage kidney disease is renal transplantation, the rate of which in our country is abysmally low when compared to the incidence of end stage renal disease. Thus patients are bound to be dependent on artificial renal replacement therapies like dialysis. The Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Act, 2011 has made swap transplant possible where two sets of incompatible donor and recipients can exchange organs and hence expand the pool of available organs. Another advancement is that the doctors can now use the ABO blood group (which was earlier incompatible with a renal transplant) using advanced immunoadsorption technology and or plasmapheresis so that patient with mismatched blood group with donor can undergo a successful renal transplantation.
In 2013, the World Kidney Day is focusing on Acute Kidney Injury. Through their campaign titled: ‘Stop Kidney Attack!’ the organisers are hoping that they can raise awareness of this kind of injury and stimulate discussion, education and policy development leading to improved prevention and treatment of this major public health across the globe.
Screening
Screening is critical for those people considered to be at high risk of kidney disease, namely:
THE 8 GOlDEN RUlES
Keep fit and active: Keeping fit by walking, running and cycling helps to reduce your blood pressure and therefore reduces the risk of chronic kidney disease.
Keep regular control of your blood sugar level: It is important for people with diabetes to have regular tests to check their kidney functions and keep blood sugar levels under control
Monitor your blood pressure: Although many people may be aware that high blood pressure can lead to a stroke or heart attack, few know that it is also the most common cause of kidney damage.
Eat healthy and keep your weight in check: This can help prevent diabetes, heart disease and other conditions associated with chronic kidney disease.
Maintain a healthy fluid intake
Do not smoke: Smoking slows the flow of blood to the kidneys. When less blood reaches the kidneys, it impairs their ability to function properly. Smoking also increases the risk of kidney cancer by about 50 per cent.
Do not take over-the-counter pills on a regular basis: Common drugs such non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are known to cause kidney damage and disease if taken regularly for long duration.
Be aware that medications like aminoglycosides, radio contrasts dyes used during angiographies and contrast CT scans, herbomineral preparations containing heavy metals can harm the kidneys.
Get your kidney function checked if you have one or more of the ‘high risk’ factors.
The writer is consultant, nephrology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon.