NHS warning over acute kidney harm

NHS Tayside launched a campaign to help prevent acute kidney injuries.

In support of Acute Kidney Injury Week which ends today, NHS Tayside is trying to raise awareness and help prevent kidney injuries during spells of sickness and diarrhoea.

NHS Tayside Renal Services has started placing ‘Medicines Sick Day Rules’ cards in GP surgeries to ask the public to think about their kidneys when they are unwell.

The kidneys remove waste and water from the blood, balance the chemicals in your body, release hormones, and help to control blood pressure and produce red blood cells.

Acute Kidney injury damages the kidneys and causes them to stop working properly, ranging from minor loss of function to complete kidney failure.

Certain medicines coupled with dehydration during illness can lead to kidney injury, which often leads to increased hospital stays and worse survival rates. However it is thought up to a third of cases are preventable. Consultant Renal Physician Dr Samira Bell said: “These handy cards carry vital information to help people avoid acute kidney injury.

The simple but effective advice of stopping certain medications when you are experiencing sickness or diarrhoea can help people to protect themselves from what can become a life-threatening condition.

“I would urge people to follow the advice on these cards if they are given them.”