Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important public health problem globally. It is estimated that about 1 in 10 people suffer from chronic kidney disease. The prevalence of BCR is twice that of diabetes and ten times that of cancer. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, chronic lung disease and chronic kidney disease (CKD), are known to be the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. BCR is the fifth cause of death in the world, explains to RFI, Dr. Lavinia Brătescu, Nephrology Primary Physician, Chief Physician of Diaverum Morarilor Nephrology and Dialysis Clinic in Bucharest, National Coordinator of the Prevention Program within Diaverum Romania, guest of the Health show FM.
According to her, uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes account for approximately 50% of all causes of CKD in adults. Therefore, good control of blood sugar and blood pressure can prevent or slow down the development of BCR.
Another risk factor for CKD, but which we cannot change, is older age, the physiological decline of kidney function starting after 40 years. It is a natural aging process of the kidneys, which if we know how to manage, we prevent the sharp deterioration of the kidney function.
The complete list of risk factors is much longer: cardiovascular diseases (valvular diseases, heart failure…), structural diseases of the kidney, chronic urinary infections, systemic, autoimmune diseases, positive family history, episode of acute renal failure in history, hematuria (blood in the urine) or proteinuria (protein in the urine) discovered by chance, single kidney, congenital malformations and hereditary diseases, some drugs dosed inappropriately.
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE: THE SIGNS THAT SHOULD WORRY US
Unfortunately, in an overwhelming percentage, chronic kidney disease has no symptoms until very advanced stages, when curative therapeutic options are greatly diminished. That is why a periodic medical consultation and analyzes are essential to detect this condition in its early stages, when we can have therapeutic options or slow down the evolution towards the final stages, the doctor explains.
“I mention some of the symptoms that should draw attention to this condition:
• Hypertension occurs or you can no longer control the pre-existing hypertension with the usual doses of medication;
• Fluid is retained in the tissues: there is swelling of the legs, face, difficulty in breathing, etc.;
• Fatigue appears with reduced efforts and the feeling of cold, due to fluid retention and the appearance of renal-caused anemia
• The appearance of the sensation of nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, due to the retention of toxins in the blood, with consequences on the clinical condition;
• Heart rhythm disorders and bone damage through an imbalance of electrolytes and minerals in the body; In advanced stages, the amount of urine produced by the kidneys decreases”
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