World Kidney Day: 12 March

hey are responsible for processing and re-distributing waste from the bloodstream such as excess salt, protein and water. This filtering process maintains safe levels of certain chemicals in the blood.

Thursday, 12th March is World Kidney Day and the week of the 9th - 13th March is Kidney Week. To show their support of this important health awareness initiative, Clicks has partnered with the National Kidney Foundation of South Africa (NKF) to help and offer advice to those suffering from poor kidney health or symptoms thereof. Clicks and the NKF will be offering free urine tests as well as blood pressure testing in their Clicks+ clinics for the duration of the week.

Facts:
Each year 120 out of every 1 million Caucasian and Asian people in South Africa are diagnosed with kidney failure. Kidney failure is however, most prevalent in the black population. This demographic group accounts for 80% of chronic kidney disease (CKD) sufferers and it is four times more common in this group than in any other with a staggering 480 of every 1 million black people diagnosed annually.

There are many causes for CKD, which develops over time. It is often brought about as a result of other conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. It may also occur due to an inherited susceptibility such as polycystic kidney disease, though this is less common. Frequent urinary infections are also a trigger. Lifestyle plays a huge role in CKD and unhealthy lifestyle choices are known to cause and worsen kidney disease.

Types of kidney disease include:
Glomerulonephritis - this is a very common cause of kidney failure that damages the kidney filters;
IgA Nephropathy - this form of CKD can be hereditary and does not often result in kidney failure, though there is no cure it can be easily stabilised and the progression thereof managed.
Kidney Stones - the most common urinary tract disorder which increases with age and family history;
Polysystic kidney disease - a hereditary condition which can be easily managed by being vigilant in controlling your blood pressure;
Kidney Cancer - there are several types of which the most common is renal cell carcinoma. Kidney cancer can spread through the blood stream and lymph vessels, they account for 2.5 percent of all cancers and is twice as prevalent in men than in women;
Diabetic Kidney Disease - this is the second most common disease and the most common cause of kidney failure. It causes substance build up and blocks the kidney filters, preventing them from performing their function;
Autoimmune diseases - diseases such as Lupus that affect the body's entire immune system;
Developmental malformations - cause abnormal conditions of the urinary tract;
Hypertension - the intricate vasculature of the kidney becomes damaged when consistent high blood pressure is forced against blood vessel walls.

Symptoms of kidney disease or failure can vary vastly depending on what is causing one's kidney problems, but they usually consist of at least one or a number of the following symptoms:
Back pain
Muscle cramps or muscle weakness or muscle spasma;
Excessive thirst;
Irregular or weak heartbeat;
Headache and nausea;
Fatigue;
Seizures;
Mental confusion;
High blood pressure;
Frequent urination;
Tingling fingers;
Recurrent sore throat and
Pain in the loins.

Depending on what stage of the disease one is diagnosed at treatment could be as simple as changing one's diet and making lifestyle changes such as losing weight and exercising. Once the disease has progressed dialysis or a kidney transplant are the only options. If there is an underlying disease causing the kidney to fail such as diabetes or hypertension the patient will have to be treated for those conditions too.

Diet and lifestyle is always an underlying factor which will need to be addressed and carefully monitored once diagnosed with CKD. Exercise is vitally important to slowing the progression of the disease irrespective of what stage of the disease one is diagnosed at. Though exercise is important one should always consult your doctor before exercising if any symptoms have worsened, you have changed your medication or dialysis schedule or if you have a fever.

No matter what stage of CKD one may have it will affect your life drastically and you will have to adapt your lifestyle so prevention is the best remedy - live well and take care of your body. If it runs in your family get tested annually from a young age by checking your blood pressure, blood sugar and urine.

For more information on where to get tested this March go to www.clicks.co.za to find your closest Clicks+ clinic.

For more information on Chronic Kidney Disease go to www.nkf.co.za