Rise in chronic kidney disease
Diabetes, high blood pressure to blame
WHILE not many people make the link between high blood pressure and kidney disease, a local specialist has urged people to get their blood pressure tested to avoid possible damage to these vital organs.
Chronic kidney disease is on the rise in Nelson Mandela Bay, nephrologist Dr Kambi Msulwa said this week, adding that lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and HIV/Aids are to blame for this.
“Chronic kidney disease is a term used to describe a gradual reduction in renal function over the span of weeks to years.
“Your kidneys filter extra water and waste out of your body as urine. It also helps control blood pressure.
“Chronic kidney disease means that the kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood like they should. This particular damage can cause a build-up of toxins and fluid in the body.
“For most people, kidney damage occurs slowly over many years due to their comorbidity diseases.
Msulwa said people should know that chronic kidney disease has no symptoms in the beginning until the disease has advanced to a later stage.
“Some of the symptoms to look out for are fatigue, poor appetite, shortness of breath and nausea,” he said.
“Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure. It’s estimated that about 44 % of people starting on dialysis have kidney failure caused by diabetes.
“That is why it is so important for people with diabetes to manage their illness and get tested for kidney disease. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can cause kidney disease,” Msulwa said.
He further pointed out that hypertension or high blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure.
“Blood pressure can damage your kidneys and it can happen over many years without any symptoms. Therefore, it is important to keep your blood pressure under control. Seek medical advice if your blood pressure is as high as 140/90. It is also imperative for patients with high blood pressure to test their kidney function on a regular basis.
“HIV/Aids is also a cause of renal failure, if the condition is not being treated and under control, the body’s immune system is low and susceptible to infection,” Msulwa said.
He said people with a genetic or family history of chronic kidney disease, should also be vigilant in protecting their kidneys.
“We test for kidney disease by doing a blood test. These tests tells us how well your kidneys are filtering toxins. We also do urine tests for albumin. Albumin is a protein that can pass into the urine when the kidneys are damaged. Sonar imaging can also show kidney disease.”
Patients would need to consult their doctor who will conduct the necessary screening tests.
“Our kidneys produce 150 litres of urine a day, but re-absorb 149 litres of useful substances, like protein, and excrete two litres of waste. They can be compared to a huge swimming pool filter which never needs backwashing, and will rarely need an overhaul if you look after your health,” Life Healthcare Group clinical products manager Dr Riyas Fadal said.
“Routine follow-ups with GPs are important to ensure that kidney care is optimised, and complications for diabetes and hypertension are well managed,” Fadal said.
“We encourage preventive behaviour through weight management, not smoking, keeping fit, watching sugar intake, monitoring blood pressure, and eating a healthy and varied diet.”