ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The number of kidney patients in Pakistan are increasing due to late diagnosis, high volume of kidney stone disease and increasing incidence of diabetes and high blood pressure among people.
According to Pakistan Society of Nephrology (PSN), around 20,000 Pakistanis die of kidney failure every year as the chronic kidney disease (CKD) is growing rapidly in the country.
According to a Consultant Nephrologist Dr. Nayer Mahmud, toxic drugs and fake medicines have their own considerable share in kidney damage.
Kidney diseases are diagnosed through history, examinations by qualified doctors and certain tests. He said many kidney diseases can be treated efficiently if diagnosed in time.
“Otherwise permanent kidney damage occurs that can prove fatal for the patient,” he stated.
Dr. Nayer advised that once the kidney is damaged, patients with blood pressure and diabetes should visit their doctor regularly.
The dose of antibiotics should be adjusted according to the kidney function, he added. He also recommended proper fluid intakes during kidney disorder.
Around 600 million persons worldwide have some form of kidney damage.
Chronic kidney disease is predicted to increase by 17 percent over the next decade and is now recognized as global public health issue.
According to health experts, consuming junk and low quality food, self-medication and excessive use of medicine, low water intake and obesity are some of the causes of kidney disease.
To avoid complications of kidney disease, patients should live a simple and active life and adopt preventive measures to avoid complications.
The best way to prevent kidney failure is early diagnosis of underlying disease and aggressive treatment.
CKD is about the presence of kidney damage, or reduced functioning of kidneys, for a period of three months or more.
Though symptoms of CKD often go undetected until later stages of the disease, some indicators may include: high blood pressure, puffiness of the eyes, hands and feet, differences in urination (passage of bloody, cloudy or tea colored urine; protein in urine; excessive foaming of urine; frequent passing of urine at night; passing less or difficulties passing urine), fatigue or difficulty concentrating, loss of appetite or weight and persistent generalized itching.
Some factors that help to achieve physical, social and mental wellness in patients with kidney disease include: well-balanced diet with special attention to sodium, potassium, phosphorous, protein and fluid consumption, regular physical activity (45 to 60 minutes, four to five times a week), good blood pressure control for those with high blood pressure and good control of blood glucose for those with diabetes, weight control and no use of tobacco.
