What are diseases?
The world is facing a quiet epidemic of kidney disease. With over 850 million people already affected, by 2040, it is expected to become the fifth-highest cause of years of life lost. With the vast majority being completely unaware of their condition, there is an urgent need to emphasize on early detection and timely treatment.
World Kidney day is celebrated on the second Thursday of March every year with an aim to raise awareness about kidney health and promote preventive measures to reduce the burden of kidney disease worldwide. Each year the campaign follows a specific theme aimed at promoting kidney health. This year, the unique theme of "Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health," emphasizes the importance of knowing your kidney function and getting tested periodically to pick up abnormality early. Do you know your “kidney number” ? A simple blood test called serum creatinine and urine test can tell you that your kidneys are healthy.
How to protect and keep your kidneys healthy?
Most of the kidney diseases are completely silent and hence have been rightly called the “silent killer”. In addition to protective measures to keep your kidneys healthy it is important to get tested to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment. People at risk of kidney disease include (but not limited to) those with diabetes, hypertension, family history of kidney disease, who are obese, on chronic medications which can affect the kidneys, those who have heart disease or stroke, history of kidney stones or recurrent infections. Even those without any of these risk factors, it is prudent to get tested periodically as early detection is the most important step in preventing complications.
On this world kidney day, let us all get ourselves tested and learn to take care of these amazing organs.
