PAKISTAN MEDICAL SOCIETY,World Kidney day

Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 7:03 pm

LAHORE PAKISTAN: Kidney-related diseases could be avoided by adopting preventive measures. A comprehensive policy was needed to eradicate kidney diseases from the subcontinent. Kidney diseases creep in silently and can completely throw life out of gear. It is possible to cut the risk of developing kidney diseases by taking steps. World Kidney Day on 11th March 2010 is a worldwide health awareness campaign aimed at improving the knowledge of kidneys, and most importantly ways to cut the rate of Kidney disease. World Kidney Day campaign with a Theme “Protect your Kidneys, Control Diabetes”, will focus on Diabetes as the most important cause of Chronic Kidney Disease. These views were expressed by P.M.S Chairman Dr Masood Akhtar Sheikh, while delivering a lecture at the Aristotle grammar school, under the auspices’ of Pakistan Medical Society. Dr Masood Akhtar sheikh said that preventive measures, a balanced diet and a pollution-free environment were essential to reducing cases of kidney diseases. Those at high risk of developing kidney diseases must be screened regularly to ascertain the function of the kidneys. The risk factors for Kidney disease are, age 50 and above, Smoking, Obesity, Diabetes mellitus and hypertension, Family history of diabetes mellitus or hypertension, Family history of kidney disease, Testing for Kidney Disease .Kidney diseases manifest gradually and symptoms show up at a very late stage when the patient’s kidneys have failed needing dialysis in some cases. Undetected CKD is a big problem in the developing world. A simple routine test of blood pressure, blood and urine test can detect initial signs of kidney problems. The evaluation is based on the fact that when kidneys are damaged, proteins can be detected in the urine, which is one of the key indicators of chronic kidney disease. Laboratory tests are conducted on small samples of blood (to evaluate creatinine content and estimate GFR) and on urine (to evaluate creatinine and albumin excretion) which can indicate the risk of kidney disease. If CKD is detected early, treatment can help retard the progression of patients to end-state renal disease, and also cut the associated risks of cardiovascular diseases, which is a leading cause of premature deaths globally. Diabetes Can Kill Kidneys. Dr Masood sheikh said that a person with a failed kidney had to spend Rs 350,000 annually on his treatment. “According to a WHO report, every 10th person above the age of 15 years is suffering from some kidney disease,” he said.

Dr Masood sheikh said that diabetes is the number one enemy of our kidneys and this message is for all the 240 million people suffering from diabetes worldwide. More than 50% of people with diabetes go undetected and therefore do not receive the treatment they need. The risk of CKD is high for those suffering diabetes as research has shown that 40% of people with diabetes will develop CKD. Monitoring blood sugar levels regularly and screening for CKD can reduce the incidence of kidney damage to a great extent. Dr Israr Hussain Asif Said that we should be on the move for Kidney health -exercise and daily physical activity maintains blood pressure, cuts risk of diabetes. Regular screening of blood sugar level, and blood lipids . 50% of people who have diabetes suffer damage to their kidneys – it is imperative that people with diabetes undergo regular tests to check their kidney functions. Kidney damage from diabetes can be slowed down if diagnosed early. Blood pressure has to be monitored and brought under control, as it is a significant cause of kidney damage. The guidelines are as follows: 120/80 is the normal blood pressure level. Principal of the School Dr Iram Masood said that blood pressure should be monitored regularly at this stage. Weight must be maintained with a balance of healthy food and proper exercise. Maintaining weight helps in reducing the risks of CKD as it cuts the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Reduction in intake of salt helps to lower blood pressure. 5-6 grams of salt per day (around a small teaspoon, not heaped) is the recommended sodium (salt) intake per day. Give up smoking

By: Dr. Masood Akhtar Shaikh, Chairman Pakistan Medical Society