World Kidney Day is celebrated today, March 12, with the aim of raising awareness of the impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Currently, CKD affects 10% of the world’s population. In fact, half of all people over the age of 75 have CKD to some degree.
According to the latest registry data from the Spanish Society of Nephrology and the National Transplant Organization, the prevalence of CKD has increased by 20% in the last ten years in Spain. However, it is still an unknown pathology for most people in our society.
On the occasion of World Kidney Day, we count on the collaboration of Dr. Carmen Cabré Menéndez, specialist in Nephrology and member of Top Doctors, who gives us all the details of chronic kidney disease.
What are the risk factors for chronic kidney disease?
The increase in new cases of chronic kidney disease is closely related to the increase in life expectancy of the population. Still, in most cases, chronic kidney disease is the consequence of a number of risk factors:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Family history of kidney disease
- Obesity
- Smoking
How can chronic kidney disease be detected?
The onset of chronic kidney disease has no signs or symptoms. In fact, a person can lose up to 90% of their kidney function without symptoms. For this reason, early detection of the disease is essential in people who are at risk for kidney disease. This detection can be done by a simple urine and blood test.
What serious problems can kidney disease cause?
Kidney failure is already a serious pathology in itself, but having diseased kidneys increases the risk of suffering other diseases such as heart attacks and strokes of the brain. It can also cause anemia and bone problems (osteoporosis, fractures, etc.).
As these are vital organs, without which one cannot live, if their function is diminishing, the most appropriate replacement treatment for each person (hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, kidney transplantation) can be prepared in good time.
The eight rules for protecting the kidneys
There are a number of rules that can be followed to protect the kidneys and prevent kidney disease. These rules consist of taking care of a number of aspects:
- Maintain a regular exercise habit appropriate to each person’s situation.
- Maintain regular blood glucose or blood sugar control.
- Control blood pressure
- Control weight through a varied and healthy diet, with a reduction of salt intake
- Maintain an adequate fluid intake (1, 5 – 2 liters per day).
- Do not smoke
- Avoid taking drugs that may damage the kidney, such as anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Ask a nephrology specialist for a urine and blood test and kidney function test if you are at high risk.