The first week of September marks Kidney Awareness Week in South Africa and it highlights the need to have one's kidney functions checked early before chronic kidney disease sets in.
Kidney disease can kill. Ten thousand South African, men and women, young and old, will die of kidney disease or kidney failure every year. Others are luckier and can be treated by dialysis or a kidney transplant. There are also other kidney conditions which don't require dialysis, but which adversely affect the lives of thousands of sufferers. All of these conditions require early detection, and many can be prevented. Potentially fatal kidney disorders occur three to four times more commonly in our underprivileged African population.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been estimated to affect as much as 15% of the South African population. According to the National Kidney Foundation of South Africa, it also represents a growing healthcare problem with some 20 000 new patients requiring diagnosis and treatment every year. 10% of all people in the world have some form of kidney disease. Kidney failure in South African adults is mainly due to inherited Hypertension (60-65%) or Type 2 Diabetes (another 20-25%).
CKD is a dangerous medical condition characterised by a gradual loss of kidney function over time that, if left untreated, can then lead to chronic renal failure (CRF). Once you have reached end-stage chronic renal failure you have two options - dialysis for the rest of your life, or a kidney transplant.
Kidneys are among our most vital organs as they filter toxins and produce essential chemicals in our bodies. Kidneys manufacture essential chemicals, they break down (metabolize) unnecessary or dangerous chemicals, and they retain necessary substances and eliminate toxic waste. They make 150 litres of urine a day, but reabsorb 149 litres of useful substances, like protein, and excrete 2 litres of waste. When the kidneys stop functioning properly, our body becomes toxic and we cannot survive. The difficulty lies in the fact that CKD is an insidious disease - it often goes undetected as many people whose kidneys are dysfunctional do not develop symptoms until their kidneys are close to failing. Early detection is crucial for CKD!
The two main causes of CKD are diabetes and high blood pressure. Preventive behaviour is a must focusing on weight management, not smoking, keeping fit, watching sugar intake, monitoring blood pressure and eating a healthy and varied diet. However, salt and high blood pressure are two silent killers. In other words, by the time many (not all) people present with symptoms and signs of kidney disease (especially hypertension and diabetes), it may be too late to prevent serious kidney and/or cardio-vascular dysfunction.
Symptoms
You are encouraged to visit a doctor if:
- You are more tired than usual
- Have trouble sleeping
- Experience dry and itchy skin
- Feel the need to urinate more often
- See blood or foam in your urine
- Have persistent puffiness around the eyes
- Your ankles and feet are swollen
- Your appetite is poor, or
- If your muscles are continuously cramping
How do you prevent kidney disease?
Everyone with a family history (even in elderly people) of hypertension or diabetes (Type 2) should have an annual blood pressure check-up from the age of 20 years and blood sugar check-up from the age of 30 years.
All sick people seeking a doctor's advice – usually their GP or a nurse in a clinic – should have their urine examined with a dipstick test. Dipstick abnormalities should be further investigated – so ask your doctor to test your urine if you go to see them with an illness.
How can I keep my kidneys healthy?
Smoking: If you don't smoke, don't start. If you do, quit! This is the simplest, most important lifestyle habit to change to reduce the risk of kidney disease. People who smoke are 3 times more likely to have reduced kidney function and have a 4-5 times greater risk of heart attack and stroke.
Limit alcohol: Excessive alcohol intake can lead to heart disease and high blood pressure, increasing the risk of kidney disease.
Enjoy life: Good health and wellbeing means that we are healthy from all dimensions of our lives – physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. So have less stress in your life and do the things you love. Balance the load.
Nutrition: The food you eat plays a huge role in the health and wellbeing of your body. As well as providing the body with a variety of nutrients, diet can also help in weight reduction and weight control. People with kidney disease may need to make some dietary changes to help manage their condition. Dietary guidelines will need to be made on a personal basis, taking into account age, lifestyle, health status and body chemistry. Lower your salt intake.
Quench your thirst: Use your thirst as a guide. Make water your drink of choice. Water assists in transporting nutrients around the body, as well as helping to eliminate waste. It contains no kilojoules, and in most areas of South Africa tap water is excellent with good mineral content.
Exercise: The benefits of regular exercise are wide-reaching. Not only can it help to maintain and reduce weight, it can also reduce the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes, risk factors for kidney disease. You only need to exercise for 30 minutes on at least five days a week to reap the benefits – a brisk walk is sufficient.
If you are concerned about your kidneys, or would just like to consult a doctor, please contact Campus Health Service here and make a booking. Otherwise, you are able to chat to a Nurse Practitioner on a walk-in basis.
