World Kidney Day - March 9, 2023
Today, the world comes together to commemorate World Kidney Day, a global campaign aimed at raising awareness of the importance of our kidneys. It is a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations – World Kidney Alliance (IFKF-WKA).
Kidney disease can affect anyone –it doesn’t matter your age, gender, or ethnicity. According to the World Kidney Day website, one in 10 people will develop kidney disease in their lifetime. This is why it is important that everyone knows about their kidney health and how they can prevent and manage their condition.
This year’s theme is “Preparing for the unexpected, supporting the vulnerable!”.
History of World Kidney Day
World Kidney Day was established in 2006 to raise awareness about the importance of kidneys. The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF) collaborated to create the day, which serves as a global campaign to raise awareness about the importance of kidney health. The day also highlights the prevalence of kidney diseases and the importance of maintaining optimal kidney health. Other goals of the day include emphasizing the importance of diabetes and high blood pressure as risk factors for Chronic Kidney Disease (C.K.D.), as well as encouraging systematic C.K.D. screening of all diabetic and hypertensive patients.
On World Kidney Day, all governments are encouraged to take action and invest in additional kidney screening, lab values, and hospitalizations rates, with reimbursements being affected positively or negatively if targets are not met. Protocol developments by insurers and hospital systems and guidelines have reinforced the emphasis on data. This year’s theme reframes kidney disease care as improving outcomes so that patients can continue to participate in their lives. The theme also emphasizes that meeting laboratory goals and adhering to protocols does not imply that the patient is being properly cared for.
Kidney Disease: By the Numbers
- 10% of the population worldwide is affected by Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), and millions die each year because they do not have access to affordable treatment.
- Over 2 million people worldwide currently receive treatment with dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive, yet this number may only represent 10% of people who actually need treatment to live.
- More than 80% of all patients who receive treatment for kidney failure are in affluent countries with universal access to health care and large elderly populations.
- In the US, treatment of chronic kidney disease is likely to exceed $48 billion per year. Treatment for kidney failure consumes 6.7% of the total Medicare budget to care for less than 1% of the covered population.
- In people aged 65 through 74 worldwide, it is estimated that one in five men, and one in four women, have CKD.
- Noncommunicable diseases (such as heart disease, diabetes, or kidney disease) have replaced communicable diseases (such as influence, malaria, or AIDs) as the most common causes of premature death worldwide. An estimated 80% of this burden occurs in low- or middle-income countries, and 25% is in people younger than 60 years.
- Chronic kidney disease can be treated. With early diagnosis and treatment, it's possible to slow or stop the progression of kidney disease.
What is Chronic Kidney Disease?
Chronic kidney disease, also known as chronic renal disease or CKD, is a condition characterized by a gradual loss of kidney function over time. It includes conditions that damage your kidneys and decrease their ability to keep you healthy by filtering wastes from your blood. If kidney disease worsens, wastes can build to high levels in your blood and make you feel sick. You may develop complications like high blood pressure, anemia (low blood count), weak bones, poor nutritional health, and nerve damage.
Kidney disease also increases your risk of having heart and blood vessel disease. These problems may happen slowly over a long time. Early detection and treatment can often keep chronic kidney disease from getting worse. When kidney disease progresses, it may eventually lead to kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain life.
Risk factors
Anyone can get chronic kidney disease at any age. However, some people are more likely than others to develop kidney disease. You may have an increased risk for kidney disease if you:
- have diabetes
- have high blood pressure
- have a family history of kidney failure
- are older
- belong to a population group with a high rate of diabetes or high blood pressure, such as African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian, Pacific Islanders, and American Indians
Symptoms
Most people may not have any severe symptoms until their kidney disease is advanced. However, you may notice that you:
- feel more tired and have less energy
- have trouble concentrating
- have a poor appetite
- have trouble sleeping
- have muscle cramping at night
- have swollen feet and ankles
- have puffiness around your eyes, especially in the morning
- have dry, itchy skin
- need to urinate more often, especially at night
Prevention
You can protect your kidneys by preventing or managing health conditions that cause kidney damage, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. The steps described below may help keep your whole body healthy, including your kidneys.
During your next medical visit, you may want to ask your health care provider about your kidney health. Early kidney disease may not have any symptoms, so getting tested may be the only way to know your kidneys are healthy. Your health care provider will help decide how often you should be tested. See a provider right away if you develop a urinary tract infection (UTI), which can cause kidney damage if left untreated.
Other ways to maintain kidney health include:
- Making healthy food choices
- Making physical activity part of your routine
- Aiming for a healthy weight
- Getting enough sleep
- Quitting smoking
- Limiting alcohol intake
- Exploring stress-reducing activities
Observing World Kidney Day
Get a check-up
It's impossible to know what's going on inside your body until it's too late. Get a checkup and learn more about your kidney health on this day. Here are some key questions you may ask your healthcare provider:
- What is my glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?
- What is my urine albumin result?
- What is my blood pressure?
- What is my blood glucose (for people with diabetes)?
- How often should I get my kidneys checked?
Spread awareness
The purpose of World Kidney Days is to spread awareness regarding kidney diseases and kidney health. So do your part and spread the message.
Share your experience
Have you ever suffered from a kidney issue? Do you know someone who experienced kidney problems? If so, share the stories on social media, so people know what to look out for.
Sources;
https://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/global-facts-about-kidney-disease
https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/about-chronic-kidney-disease
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/prevention