2015 WORLD KIDNEY DAY CELEBRATIONS AND 8 GOLDEN RULES TO HELP REDUCE PREVALENCE OF KIDNEY DISEASE IN NIGERIA

2015 WORLD KIDNEY DAY CELEBRATIONS AND 8 GOLDEN RULES TO HELP REDUCE PREVALENCE OF KIDNEY DISEASE IN NIGERIA

Today is World Kidney Day celebrated every second Thursday in the month of March and this year’s edition is the 10th anniversary with the theme ‘Kidney Health for All’ and will be culminated with the World Congress of Nephrology to be held in Cape Town South Africa from 13th – 17th March 2015. Some of the objectives of World Kidney Day celebrations are; to create awareness about the importance of kidney to the overall health of human beings, to alert people that kidney disease is a silent killer, to intimate people that the kidney is a very vital organ in the body which should be taken care of, and to get the government and policy makers to take decisive action on prevention and cure of Kidney diseases.

This year World Kidney Day campaign focuses on the fact that we are not all equal with regard to Kidney disease and access to treatment. Thus World Kidney Day needs your support to spread this message, encourage prevention, and bring this issue to the attention of government, policy makers as well as the general public.

In encouraging prevention, it is important to know and note these golden rules that will help us live healthier lives. It is World Kidney Day 8 Golden rules, easy ways to reduce the risk of developing kidney disease and failure.

1. KEEP FIT AND ACTIVE. Keeping fit helps to reduce your blood pressure and therefore reduces the risk of Chronic Kidney Disease.

2. KEEP REGULAR CONTROL OF YOUR BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL. More than half of people who have diabetes develop kidney damage, so it is important for people with diabetes to have regular tests to check their kidney functions. Kidney damage from diabetes can be reduced or prevented if detected early. It is important to keep control of blood sugar levels with the help of doctors or pharmacists.

3. MONITOR YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE. Although many people may be aware that high blood pressure can lead to a stroke or heart attack, few know that it is also the most common cause of kidney damage. The normal blood pressure level is 120/80. Between this level and 139/89, you are considered pre-hypertensive and should adopt a new lifestyle and dietary changes. At 140/90 and above, you should discuss the risks with your doctor and monitor your blood pressure level regularly. High blood pressure is especially likely to cause kidney damage when associated with other factors like diabetes, high cholesterol and Cardio- Vascular Diseases.

4. EAT HEALTHY AND KEEP YOUR WEIGHT IN CHECK. This can help prevent diabetes, heart disease and other conditions associated with Chronic Kidney Disease.

5. REDUCE YOUR SALT INTAKE. The recommended sodium intake is 5-6 grams of salt per day (around a teaspoon). In order to reduce your salt intake, try and limit the amount of processed and restaurant food and do not add salt to food. It will be easier to control your intake if you prepare the food yourself with fresh ingredients.

6. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY FLUID INTAKE. Although clinical studies have not reached an agreement on the ideal quantity of water and other fluids we should consume daily to maintain good health, traditional wisdom has long suggested drinking 1.5 to 2 litres of water per day. Consuming plenty of fluid helps the kidneys clear sodium, urea and toxins from the body which, in turn, results in a “significantly lower risk” of developing chronic kidney disease.

7. DO NOT SMOKE. Smoking slows the flow of blood to the kidneys. When less blood reaches the kidneys, it impairs their ability to function properly. Smoking also increases the risk of kidney cancer by about 50 percent.

8. DO NOT TAKE OVER-THE-COUNTER PILLS ON A REGULAR BASIS. Common drugs such non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are known to cause kidney damage and disease if taken regularly. Such medications probably do not pose significant danger if your kidneys are relatively healthy and you use them for emergencies only, but if you are dealing with chronic pain, such as arthritis or back pain, work with your doctor to find a way to control your pain without putting your kidneys at risk.

People should get their kidney function checked if they have one or more of the ‘high risk’ factors; If they have diabetes, if they are hypertensive, if they are obese, if one of their parents or other family members suffers from kidney disease or they are of African, Asian, or Aboriginal origin. When we are careful to apply these rules to our daily lives, it will certainly reduce the rate of prevalence in our society. Doctors who are specialists on Kidney should do more in terms of enlightening their colleagues on the ways to help and treat Kidney disease cases. More Non-governmental organizations should join the advocacy on Kidney care. Lastly the government at all levels in this nation should do more to help those who have developed kidney disease and people living with transplanted kidneys.

Tabugbo Morgan Uzoma

Secretary Kidney Care Association, Asaba