|
What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) includes conditions that affect the kidneys
with the potential to cause either loss of kidney function or
complications resulting from decreased kidney function, thus endangering
life.
How common is CKD?
While an estimated 14 per thousand population suffer from Chronic Kidney
Disease in India. approximately 100,000 patients go into End Stage Renal
Disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation each year.
Of them, only 10% reach a Nephrologist and, though renal replacement
therapy is instituted in 90% of the cases, 60% of these fail to continue
with dialysis due to financial constraints and would have died within an
year.
Another 9% to 13% die within one year while being treated.
About 2500 to 3000 renal transplants are performed in India each year.
What are the causes of CKD?
Two-thirds of the cases of Chronic Kidney Disease are due to two
main causes:
Diabetes Mellitus
Hypertension
Other lesser known causes are:
-
Glomerulonephritis, a group of diseases that cause inflammation and
damage to the kidneys' filtering units
-
Inherited
diseases like Polycystic Kidney Disease, which causes large cysts to
form in the kidney and damage the kidney tissue
-
Malformations during the development of the baby in the womb. For
example, a narrowing may occur that prevents normal flow of urine
resulting in back-flow into the kidney, causing damage to the
kidneys.
-
Auto-immune disorders like Lupus Erythematosus
-
Repeated urinary infections
-
Indiscriminate use of pain-killers, especially Non-Steroidal
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
What are the symptoms of CKD?
Most people may not have any severe symptoms until their
kidney disease is advanced. However, one may notice:
-
Poor appetite
-
Vomiting
-
Decrease in urine output
-
Swollen feet and ankles
-
Puffiness around the eyes, especially in the morning
-
Need to urinate more often, especially at night
-
Weariness and lack of energy
-
Trouble concentrating
-
Trouble sleeping
-
Muscle cramping at night
-
Dry, itchy skin
Who are all prone to CKD?
While anyone can develop CKD at any age, there are some people more
likely to develop kidney disease. A person is at an increased risk if
one :
Diabetes and Hypertension are responsible for up to two thirds of the
cases of CKD.
What is the treatment for CKD?
The various treatment modalities available for CKD are:
-
Dietary restriction of Protein, Salt, Fluids, Potassium and
Phosphorus,
-
Avoidance of pain-killers and adjustment of dosages of certain other
medications
-
Control of blood sugar and high blood pressure
-
Dialysis : haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis
-
Kidney Transplant : live donor or cadaver donor
-
There are medicines and strategies to delay the progression of CKD.
How to prevent CKD?
-
Regulate your blood pressure
-
Control your diabetes
-
Stop smoking
-
Abstain from alcohol
-
Get your kidneys checked once every year, all the more so if your
father, mother or any of your siblings suffers from kidney disease.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has a profound effect on the physical,
emotional and mental well-being of individuals, often making it
difficult to carry on with daily routines and relationships. At a
national level, the increasing incidence of diabetes and hypertension,
the leading causes of CKD would portend serious consequences for public
health and economic productivity. However, in many cases, deterioration
in health can be minimized by good care and proper treatment. A
patient's ability to follow medical advice, accommodate life-style
changes, and access resources are all factors that influence successful
management of Chronic Kidney Disease.
|
