CKD prevention: Early diagnosis is key
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality in India, with about 2 lakh people with CKD developing kidney failure each year. Hence, early detection and prevention are important in preventing CKD and avoiding resultant complications.
Diabetes and hypertension are the two major causes of CKD, with about 40% cases of kidney failure attributed to diabetes alone. Some other risk factors include chronic glomerulonephritis, strong family history of the kidney disease, smoking, obesity, and old age. Those with risk factors should get routine urine examination for protein/ albumin, and blood test for serum creatinine. This will help in analysing kidney function and detecting any abnormality in early stage.
In case you are diagnosed with CKD, it is important to consult a nephrologist for optimum treatment and understanding what lifestyle changes must be made.
There is also a need to generate awareness about the condition and its symptoms. This, combined with adequate access to treatment options, can help in combating CKD and its complications. One should also incorporate the following lifestyle changes:
Stay active and exercise regularly.
Monitor and maintain blood sugar and blood pressure.
Eat healthy and include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods in your diet. Reduce intake of salt and processed foods.
Quit smoking
Lose weight if you are obese. Limit alcohol intake. Avoid taking over-thecounter medication. Prolonged use of some classes of drugs is known to cause kidney damage.
Avoid herbal medications, as some medicines are known to cause kidney damage, especially those with high levels of heavy metals.