Today is World Kidney Day!
- Facts related to kidney disease are very alarming…
10% of the population worldwide is affected by chronic kidney disease, and millions die each year because they do not have access to affordable treatment.
According to the 2010 Global Burden of Disease study, chronic kidney disease was ranked 27th in the list of causes of a total number of deaths worldwide in 1990 but rose to 18th in 2010.
Of the 2 million people who receive treatment for kidney failure, the majority are treated in only five countries – the United States, Japan, Germany, Brazil, and Italy. These five countries represent only 12% of the world population. Only 20% are treated in about 100 developing countries that make up over 50% of the world population.
In people aged 65 through 74 worldwide, it is estimated that one in five men, and one in four women, have chronic kidney disease.
- You are more likely to develop kidney disease if you have any one of the following:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- A family history of kidney failure
- 5 Golden rules to prevent chronic kidney disease
You can protect your kidneys by preventing or managing health conditions that cause kidney damage. The 5 preventive measures described below may help keep your whole body healthy, including your kidneys.
- Eat a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet plan, such as the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, can help lower blood pressure and blood lipids (fat in the blood). These eating plans include fresh fruits and vegetables, fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products, whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, seeds, and nuts. They also have less sodium, sugars, fats, and red meats.
- Make physical activity part of your routine
Be active for 30 minutes or more on most days. If you are not active now, ask your health care provider about the types and amounts of physical activity that are right for you. Add more activity to your life to help you get active.
- Get regular check-ups
You take your car in for a tune-up to make sure it runs smoothly, so why wouldn’t you take care of your body? Your doctor can check for kidney disease with 2 simple tests a urine test and a blood test. A urine test should be of albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) checks if there is a protein called albumin in your urine. A blood test should be of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) tells how well your kidneys are working to remove waste from your body.
- Explore stress-reducing activities
Learning how to manage stress relax, and cope with problems can improve emotional and physical health. Physical activity can help reduce stress, as can mind and body practices such as meditation, yoga, or tai chi.
- Watch your alcohol intake and quit smoking
Alcohol harms your kidneys in several ways. It’s a waste product that your kidneys have to filter out of your blood — and it makes your kidneys less efficient. It’s dehydrating, which can affect the kidneys’ ability to regulate your body’s water levels. It can affect your liver function. Smoking causes diseases in every organ of the body, including the kidneys.
It is also important to wash hands, maintain good hygiene, and follow the recommendations from the healthcare team.
