Proper info on kidney care can help reverse organ’s damage

Kidney disease is on the rise and among the top 10 causes of death in the Philippines. Statistics show that kidney disease among the Filipinos is shooting up every year. Almost 10,000 Filipinos requiring either dialysis for life or a kidney transplant for survival. About 31 percent of them have the most advanced stage of the disease. Hence it is very essential to find a cure or prevent the further rise in number.

“Kidney functions such as removing waste products and excess water in the body, balance the electrolytes and source of important hormones in the body are essential to life and yet many tend to take their kidneys for granted. Not everyone is aware of the importance of their kidneys and the need to ensure that they are healthy and properly functioning. Proper information on kidney care must be given to help prevent or reverse any kidney damage,” said Dr. Josephine Go-Yap, resource speaker of the 199th medical forum sponsored by the Tan Yan Kee Foundation and the Association of Asia Brewery Medical Scholars.

Chronic kidney disease, the topic of the forum held at the Century Park Hotel, has five stages, the fifth stage of which the patient needs dialysis or renal transplantation to survive.

There are two types of kidney failure: The acute which is the sudden onset of decline or shot down of kidney function due to severe dehydration, bleeding, infection, trauma and drugs and the chronic kidney failure in which kidneys slowly deteriorate due to some diseases such as uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, chrome infection due to obstructions, tumors, chronic glomerular diseases and polycystic diseases.

“Loss of weight and appetite, nausea, vomiting, anemia, high blood pressure, difficult in breathing, increased Creatinine and BUN, blood and protein in the urine, and swelling of the face, body and lower extremities are some of the signs and symptoms of kidney failure,” Go-Yap, past president of the association, said.

“There are measures to retard the progression of kidney failure like optimum blood sugar control, treat urinary tract infection, well controlled blood pressure, maintaining low protein, low salt diet, acknowledge enlarged prostate glands, stones or tumors, avoid self-medications and drugs like pain relievers, and always consult your doctors for proper treatment,” Go-Yap advised.

“The only treatment option in Stage Five is kidney transplantation. Dialysis is only a temporary means to remove waste products and water,” Go-Yap said.

These diseases can be treated and possibly prevented with proper awareness and knowledge. If it is detected early, protective measures can be started and it may be possible for the effects to be prevented with proper supervision, diet and lifestyle modification.

“Another important step in controlling the disease is to stop smoking. Men who smoked were three times more likely than non-smokers to have reduced kidney function, and also have an increased likelihood of having protein in their urine,” Go-Yap added. –Daily Tribune