The importance of keeping one’s kidneys healthy cannot be overstated; so it is essential to highlight the importance of kidney health and detecting kidney disease early.
Dr Bha Ndungane-Tlakula, country medical director at Pfizer, discusses the fundamentals of kidney health.
The health of one’s kidneys is paramount as they filter out toxins in our bodies, produce essential chemicals, and break down harmful chemicals, excreting two litres of waste every day.
“Many people whose kidneys are diseased do not develop symptoms until their kidneys are close to failing; therefore, early detection of dysfunction is crucial,” Ndungane-Tlakula pointed out.
Approximately 15% of the South African population has chronic kidney disease (CKD), with 20 000 new cases every year, according to the National Kidney Foundation of South Africa. Kidney failure in SA adults is mainly due to inherited high blood pressure (60 to 65%) or type 2 diabetes (20 to 25%).
CKD occurs with a gradual loss of kidney function over time. If left untreated, it can then lead to chronic renal failure (CRF). Once end-stage CRF occurs, dialysis for life, or a kidney transplant, are the only treatment options.
Lifestyle changes
Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer and accounts for about 90% of all cases. Environmental and lifestyle related factors are a significant contributor.
Cutting down on a few bad habits may help to minimise the risk of developing kidney cancer. Smoking tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption have also been linked to a higher risk of developing kidney cancer.
As such, it is important for people to improve their habits and be aware of the risk factors to reduce the chance of developing the disease or to diagnose it early before it has spread.
Hypertension or high blood pressure is another important factor to consider, particularly in men. Apart from that, obesity is also linked to kidney cancer and is the reason why all people should strive to maintain a healthy body weight through a balanced diet.
“The optimal way to care for the kidneys is by controlling one’s blood pressure through a healthy diet, low salt intake, regular exercise, quitting smoking, managing diabetes effectively, and staying hydrated with water, not sugary drinks or alcohol,” related Ndungane-Tlakula. Also, avoid taking medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs), which can harm the kidneys if taken in excess.
It has also been shown that Covid-19 can impair kidney function. Thus the importance of maintaining kidney health is vital.
