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!”.
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.
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.
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:
Most people may not have any severe symptoms until their kidney disease is advanced. However, you may notice that you:
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:
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:
The purpose of World Kidney Days is to spread awareness regarding kidney diseases and kidney health. So do your part and spread the message.
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