Diabetes, high BP gives birth to kidney diseases’

[LahoreEstate]

KARACHI: While the world celebrates World Kidney Day today, doctors at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) share a common concern about kidney diseases.

According to a research led by AKUH Section of Nephrology Head Dr Tazeen Jafar, “One in three adults in Pakistan over the age of 40 has some form of kidney disease, which is mainly caused by diabetes and high blood pressure.”

Kidney failure is caused by a slow, progressive and often chronic kidney disease and as a result, kidneys lose their ability to remove excess fluids, minerals and wastes from the blood. Once this happens, a person’s options are limited to extremely expensive dialysis or a kidney transplant. In all kidney diseases, regular exercise, monitoring blood glucose level, maintaining a diet low in saturated fats and oil and giving up smoking are advised. The symptoms of advanced kidney failure include weight and appetite loss, weakness, nausea and vomiting, said Dr Tazeen.

“The survival rate of patients on dialysis is low. Patients who receive dialysis for one year have a 55 percent of chance of survival, although, the rate falls to 13 percent after five years of dialysis; kidney transplant is now the treatment of choice, as it has a 97 percent success rate,” Consultant Nephrologist Dr Ather Hussain said.

According to doctors, the average cost of dialysis treatment is over Rs 300,000 per year, while the cost of a kidney transplant is around Rs 400,000, excluding other treatment costs. These procedures are simply unaffordable for the vast majority of Pakistani families. However, kidney disease is treatable and an early detection can keep the diseases from getting worse and can prevent the need for dialysis or a transplant.

Section of Urology Head Dr Raziuddin Biyabani said, “The number of children in Pakistan who develop kidney stones is also growing and the causes of it range from dehydration to dietary imbalance and symptoms include abdominal pain and blood in the urine. Monitoring this condition is essential, as kidney stones recur with great frequency over time and may decrease the life expectancy of young children.”

Consultant Pediatrician Dr Arshalooz Rahman said, “Health care providers must look for other health problems such as anemia and high blood pressure, such conditions are commonly found in children with advanced kidney diseases.”

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg12_8