KIDNEYS: FUNCTION, CARE AND SIGNIFICANCE

Kidneys are small bean shaped organs which not only perform the function of filtration of blood to remove toxic waste. But it also performs vital functions of activation of Vitamin D, generation of erythropoietin, maintaining the pH of blood, maintaining the levels of sodium, potassium etc.

Taking care of these vital organs is very important, and we have tried to enlist few easy ways to take care of them.

1. Stay fit, stay active

2. Maintain a healthy diet

3. Monitor your blood pressure and blood sugar levels regularly

4. Avoid over the counter painkillers, say no to self medication

5. Say no to smoking

6. Get your renal function tests done regularly; especially if you are a chronic diabetic or hypertension patient.

Chronic hypertension and diabetes are the leading causes of kidney disorders, followed by autoimmune diseases like Lupus and then kidney stones.

Chronic Kidney disorder cases are on a rise; and it may become a 5th leading cause of death in India.

Chronic Kidney disease can be classified into 5 stages(STAGE 1 TO STAGE 5), depending on the glomerular filtration rate. Which can be checked by eGFR.

Why eGFR testing is done(1)

Early stage kidney disease doesn’t usually cause symptoms, but your doctor may recommend a eGFR test if you are at higher risk of developing kidney disease. CKD risk factors include:

• Having diabetes or high blood pressure

• High blood pressure

• Being overweight

• Family history of kidney failure

Later stage CKD does cause symptoms. So you may need an eGFR test if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Urinating more or less often than usual

• Itching

• Feeling tired

• Swelling in your arms, legs, or feet

• Muscle cramps

• Nausea and vomiting

• Loss of appetite

CKD can be diagnosed with blood and urine tests. (2)

• Blood test measures the level of waste product, creatinine in the blood.

• Urine test to measure the albumin:creatinine ratio, known as ACR and for blood or protein in urine

Timely and right medical intervention at stage 1 may help in reversing the progression of CKD.

Quality of life is affected in stage 4 and stage 5 severely.

Depending on the stage and severity of damage and other factors like age and other physiological factors patients are advised dialysis or kidney transplant.

Ministry of health data suggests that annual requirement of kidney donors could be 200000 with only 6000 transplants taking place annually

This is just an awareness post by Prakash Medical Centre; Pune Station, consult your doctor for medical advise in case of any health issues.

PRAKASH MEDICAL CENTRE

TRUST-SERVICE-CARE

Since, 1973

References:

1. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/gfr

2. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-disease/diagnosis/#:~:text=Chronic%20kidney%20disease%20(CKD)%20can,may%20not%20be%20working%20normally.

3. https://www.narayanahealth.org/blog/kidney-transplants-in-india/#:~:text=About%202%20Lakh%20patients%20In,6%2C000%20transplants%20occurring%20in%20reality.