EXPERTS URGE EARLY TESTING FOR KIDNEY DISEASE

The public has been urged to ask their doctor for a blood or urine test and take action to prioritise kidney health to protect against diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects one in 10 people. Often described as ‘a silent illness hiding in plain sight’, it usually develops slowly over time and chips away at the patients’ quality of life.

Over 600 patients in Botswana develop kidney failure and require some form of dialysis every year.

Speaking during the commemoration of World kidney Day recently, Specialist Physician and Nephrologist, Dr Walter Moloi said by the time the body shows the typical symptoms of CKD, like fatigue, lack of energy, and swelling, the patient would have already entered the acute stage, in which only 30 percent of the kidneys are functioning. “Therefore, the disease must be detected at the early stage to slow down the degeneration of the kidneys, and to give the patient a better chance to be cured,” he said.

Dr Moloi said that early detection is key to slowing down the progression of CKD. A simple blood or urine test can be the first step to check kidney health and identify if kidney disease exists.

By catching CKD early, people can take proactive steps to manage their condition, slow down its progression, and possibly prevent further complications.

CKD is categorised into five stages of progression with Stage five, the final stage, indicating End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) and the need for either dialysis or a transplant.

“CKD is closely linked to hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes.

Individuals with one or more of these conditions are at higher risk of developing CKD, and vice versa, and it is important for patients to be aware of these links.

It is also important for healthcare professionals to collaborate closely, ensuring that heightened awareness, treatments, and medications are coordinated to manage these interconnected health challenges effectively.

He advised Batswana to eat healthy food and limit alcohol intake to protect their kidneys from harm.