World Kidney Day: Theme: Early detection for a healthier future

Wednes­day, March 13, 2025, marks World Kidney Day, an annual event aimed at raising awareness about the importance of kidney health and reducing the impact of kidney diseases world­wide. This year’s theme, “Early Detection for a Healthier Future!”, emphasizes the significance of early identification and manage­ment of kidney diseases to prevent complications and ensure long-term health.

Functions of the kidneys

The kidneys are vital organs re­sponsible for several critical bodily functions:

Waste Excretion: They filter waste products and excess fluids from the blood, excreting them as urine.

Fluid and Electrolyte Balance: They regulate the body’s fluid levels and maintain the balance of electrolytes such as sodium, potas­sium, and phosphate.

Blood Pressure Regulation: They produce hormones like renin that help control blood pressure.

Red Blood Cell Production: They release erythropoietin, a hor­mone that stimulates the produc­tion of red blood cells.

Bone Health: They activate vitamin D, which is essential for maintaining healthy bones. Vitamin D from the sun cannot be useful if not activated by the kidney.

Causes of kidney

diseases

Kidney diseases can result from various factors, including:

Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage the kidneys over time.

Hypertension: Elevated blood pressure can cause damage to the blood vessels in the kidneys.

Glomerulonephritis: Inflamma­tion of the kidney’s filtering units can impair function.

Polycystic Kidney Disease: A genetic disorder characterized by the growth of cysts in the kidneys.

Repeated Urinary Infections: Chronic infections can lead to kidney damage.

Obstruction: Conditions like kidney stones or an enlarged pros­tate can block urine flow and harm the kidneys.

Other conditions are

#Low birth weight

# Obesity

# Abuse of painkillers

# Aphrodisiac/ bitters

# Some herbal medicine

# Prolonged use of prescrip­tions drugs

Stages of kidney disease

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is categorised into five stages based on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which measures kidney function:

Stage 1: Normal or high GFR (≥90 mL/min/1.73 m²) with some signs of kidney damage.

Stage 2: Mild decrease in GFR (60-89 mL/min/1.73 m²) with evidence of kidney damage.

Stage 3: Moderate decrease in GFR (30-59 mL/min/1.73 m²). This stage is often divided into:

3a: GFR 45-59 mL/min/1.73 m².

3b: GFR 30-44 mL/min/1.73 m².

Stage 4: Severe decrease in GFR (15-29 mL/min/1.73 m²).

Stage 5: Kidney failure (GFR <15 mL/min/1.73 m²), often requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Early stages (1 and 2) may not present noticeable symptoms, mak­ing early detection through regular screenings crucial. As the disease progresses to stages 3 through 5, symptoms become more appar­ent, and the risk of complications increases.

Prevention of Kidney

Disease

Preventing kidney disease involves managing risk factors and maintaining a healthy lifestyle:

Control Blood Sugar: Proper management of diabetes can pre­vent kidney damage.

Manage Blood Pressure: Keep­ing blood pressure within the normal range reduces the risk of kidney disease.

Maintain a Healthy Weight: Obe­sity increases the risk of conditions that harm the kidneys.

Avoid Smoking: Smoking can impair blood flow to the kidneys and worsen existing kidney disease.

Stay Hydrated: Adequate water intake supports kidney function. Drink between 2.5L -3.5Litres of water daily.

Limit Over-the-Counter Painkill­ers: Excessive use of NSAIDs can cause kidney damage.

Regular Check-ups: Routine screenings can detect early signs of kidney issues, especially in individ­uals with risk factors.

Healthy Lifestyles Promoting Proper Kidney Function

Adopting certain lifestyle prac­tices can enhance kidney health:

Balanced Diet: Consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins supports overall health and kidney function.

Regular Physical Activity: En­gaging in exercise helps maintain a healthy weight and blood pressure, reducing the risk of kidney disease.

No Alcohol Consumption: Eliminating alcohol intake prevents additional strain on the kidneys.

Stress Management: Chronic stress can negatively affect blood pressure and kidney health; practic­es like meditation can be beneficial.

By understanding the func­tions of the kidneys, recog­nizing the causes and stages of kidney disease, and adopt­ing preventive measures and healthy lifestyles, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of developing kidney-relat­ed health issues.Source—www. worldkidneyday.org/www. verywellhealth.com