Nephrology
Kidney Disease - No Kidding
Kidney Disease - No Kidding Mar 12, 2014
There is an increasing prevalence of kidney disease all around the world and also in our country. We have two kidneys, each about the size of our fist. Most people know that a major function of the kidneys is to remove waste products and excess fluid from the body. However, kidneys do much more than that.
WHAT DO KIDNEYS DO?
Kidneys are powerful chemical factories that perform the following functions:
- Remove waste products from the body
- Remove drugs/chemicals
- Balance the body’s fluids
- Release hormones that regulate blood pressure
- Produce an active form of vitamin D that promotes strong and healthy bones
- Control the production of red blood cells
- One in 10 Indians has chronic kidney disease and another 20 million more are at an increased risk.
- Early detection can help prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure.
- Heart disease is the major cause of death for all people with CKD.
- Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) is the best estimate of kidney function.
- Hypertension causes CKD and CKD causes hypertension.
- High risk groups include those with diabetes, hypertension and family history of kidney disease.
- Three simple tests can detect CKD: blood pressure, urine and serum creatinine.
- Have diabetes
- Have high blood pressure
- Have a family history of chronic kidney disease
- Are of an advancing age