World Kidney Day, held every second Thursday in March, promotes affordable and equitable access to health education, health care and the prevention of kidney disease.
This 2018, World Kidney Day coincided with the International Women's Day, so the motto was "Kidneys and women's health: include, value and empower".
What is the importance of renal health?
The kidneys have a basic function for our body: they filter waste and excess fluid from the blood, which are then excreted in the urine.
Chronic kidney disease of the kidney, also called chronic renal failure, describes the gradual loss of kidney function. When chronic kidney disease reaches an advanced stage, dangerous levels of fluids, electrolytes and waste can accumulate in the body.
Signs and symptoms of chronic kidney disease develop over time and kidney damage usually progresses slowly, and may include, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue and weakness, sleep problems, changes in urine output, decreased mental acuity, muscle spasms and cramps, swelling of feet and ankle and high blood pressure.
The signs and symptoms are often non-specific, which means that they can also be caused by other diseases.
Some of the factors that can increase the risk of chronic kidney disease are diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, smoking and obesity.
Depending on the underlying cause, some types of kidney disease can be treated. Chronic kidney disease has no cure, but in general, treatment consists of measures to help control symptoms, reduce complications and delay the progression of the disease.
What can you do for your kidneys?
8 Gold Rules
- Stay fit and active.
- Maintain regular c.ontrol of blood glucose levels.
- Monitor your blood pressure.
- Eat healthy and keep your weight under control.
- Maintain a healthy fluid intake.
- No smoking.
- Do not self-medicate.
- Check your kidney function if you have one or more high risk factors.
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