World Kidney Day (WKD)

Dr Guliver P *

World Kidney Day (WKD) is a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF). It is a global health awareness campaign focusing on the importance of the kidneys, to reduce the burden of kidney disease and its associated health problems.

The 11th edition would be celebrated all over the world on 10th of March 2016, (2nd Thursday in March). Since the first campaign over ten years ago, World Kidney Day (WKD) has turned into a global phenomenon.

Medical professionals, government officials, the general public, celebrities and patients will take action locally and globally.

The theme for 2016 is Kidney Disease & Children: Act Early to Prevent It. This is because many children may be at risk of kidney disease at an early age.

Early detection and implementation of a healthy lifestyle are imperative; starting at birth and continuing to old age to combat preventable disorders of the kidneys. Inborn and acquired kidney diseases require early and timely action to be effectively managed.

The objectives of World Kidney Day are to raise awareness of the importance of our “amazing kidneys” to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.

Diabetes and high blood pressure are important risk factors for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and screening for kidney diseases in these population groups are encouraged. Preventive behaviours are encouraged and education of all medical professionals about their role in detecting and reducing the risk of CKD are emphasized.

Control of the CKD epidemic cannot be done without the cooperation of local and national health authorities. Thus all governments are encouraged to take action and invest in further kidney disease screening.

On WKD, a variety of local, national and international level events are organized by the kidney associations, organizations, kidney health stakeholders, healthcare professionals, authorities and individuals.

These include physical activity events such as walking, cycling, jogging, fitness, dancing and so on. Fact sheets and posters of the related event are distributed in the community, various institutions and centers. Topics of importance such as kidney diseases and problems, kidney transplantation and life-saving aspect of the kidney donation are discussed in classrooms, job places or other public places. Public health announcements and discussions are held in both the print and electronic media.

Conferences and lectures are also organized among health specialists. Free health checkups are organized, such as screening of blood glucose level, creatinine level, urine test and blood pressure.

The “Golden Rules for Kidney disease prevention”; are to keep oneself fit and active, good control of blood sugar levels, monitoring and good control of high blood pressure, eating healthy food and maintaining a normal weight, maintaining good fluid and water intake on a daily basis (at least 3 to 4 liters a day); avoiding smoking, avoiding the intake over the counter (OTCs) pills on a regular basis such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen), which may lead to the kidney damage, and finallyproper and regular checkup of kidney functions especially in those with diabetes, hypertension, obesity and a family history of kidney disease.

Many patients with kidney disease do not show symptoms until very late in their illness. Some of the symptoms could be nonspecific such as swelling of feet, easyfatigability, low appetite, blood in urine, albumin in the urine, alteration in the amount and character of urine, nausea and vomiting.

Thus early detection is important for effective treatment. Simple urine tests to detect the presence of albumin; and blood tests i.e., serum creatinine are usually sufficient to give us a hint as to the presence of kidney disease.

Thus these screening tests are advised in all especially in those with diabetes and hypertension who are at increased risk to develop kidney disease.

Thus the emphasis is on prevention and early detection of kidney diseases; which is the ideal approach for a healthy and productive life.