COIMBATORE: Even as a host of events, including free consultation and diagnosis camps and also rallies, were held over the last few days in the run-up to the World Kidney Day on March 11, a strong message from the medical fraternity on this day is: control diabetes to avoid kidney failure.

Chronic kidney disease is the silent epidemic of the 21 st century. The fifth or end stage requires dialysis. If it does not work, donor kidney is the option.

But, what's alarming is that a patient can go through the first four stages totally unaware of the disorder, says nephrologist at K.G. Hospital R. Balasubramaniam. “There may not be any manifestations at all,” he says.

“There is data to show that one lakh people in India are in the end stage. But, 60 per cent of these patients do not see a nephrologist because they cannot afford the treatment. Of the rest 40 per cent, at least 90 per cent drop out midway because of their inability to continue,” says the doctor.

Of the various factors that cause kidney failure, diabetes and high blood pressure engage the attention of the medical field this year. Both these factors account for 70 per cent of the kidney failure cases. The share of diabetes is 40 per cent and the rest is contributed by high blood pressure, says Dr. Balasubramaniam.

The International Society of Nephrology and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations have jointly announced a proposal to educate doctors also on preventing kidney disorders in their patients. And, the major focus is on diabetes and blood pressure.

Therefore, this year's slogan is: Protect your kidneys, control diabetes.

Dr. Balasubramaniam calls for the prevention of diabetes in the younger generation.An intensive preventive healthcare programme is always a healthier alternative to opening more centres for dialysis, he points out.

Diabetics must undergo a test to check protein leak in urine. If detected and treated early, people can be pulled back from this stage one of kidney disorder. If the reversal is not possible, it can be at least be checked from going to the next stage.

This test can be prescribed by a diabetologist. Diabetics need not even approach a nephrologist for this. Besides, all those with diabetes should have a periodical check of the condition of their organs that can be damaged by the disease.

Persons suffering from high blood pressure should be checked by a nephrologist. “The heart certainly pumps the blood, but the kidneys handle the salt,” he says. “Like fever, blood pressure is also a symptom and not a disease. So, get to the root of the problem.”

Dr. Balasubramaniam cites the case of a 31-year-old man who needs kidney transplantation now because his blood pressure had not been taken as a warning sign during earlier treatment.

Another risk factor is the consumption of over-the-counter drugs. An 85-year-old man from Erode took drugs without prescription for fever. He ended up with temporary kidney failure. Though cured now, he and his family now dread over-the-counter medicines.

“Kidney failure inflicts a multi-layered trauma in a family. It causes a huge economic, physical and psychological burden,” says Chairman of the hospital G. Bakthavathsalam. “Be wary of the symptoms in order to prevent kidney failure.”

This year's World Kidney Day observance also stresses awareness on the symptoms – both among doctors and the public. Accurate diagnosis and referral (to a nephrologist) holds to key to preventing kidney failure. For this, updating of knowledge among the medical fraternity is also important, says Dr. Bakthavathsalam.

Courtesy - Hindu