Kidney disease has become a major illness, given the aging population, the growth in the frequency of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Kidney disease doesn’t present with any symptoms, and thus may only be diagnosed once it has progressed significantly, to a stage where it is irreversible. The impacts of any disease are not only physical but also emotional and psychological. It takes a toll on not only the patient but also on the people caring for that person, as well as other family members, or the health care team.

Today, on World Kidney Day, we wanted to share some helpful facts and research done in this area.

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Facts about kidney disease

1. More than 850 million people worldwide have some form of kidney disease.

Source: https://www.kidney-international.org/article/S0085-2538(19)30786-0/fulltext

1. Prevalence of CKD is higher among females than males

Source: https://nccd.cdc.gov/CKD/detail.aspx?Qnum=Q10&Strat=Gender#refreshPosition

1. High blood pressure and diabetes are the main causes of CKD

Source: https://nccd.cdc.gov/CKD/detail.aspx?Qnum=Q10&Strat=Hypertension#refreshPosition

1. Kidney disease can go undetected until it is very advanced.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1_srNUJkjE

1. The kidney is one of the few human organs that can be donated by an altruistic donor

Source: https://psychonephrology.com/are-you-donating-a-kidney/

1. More than 82% of the patients awaiting an organ transplant are in need of a kidney

Source: https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/data/view-data-reports/national-data/#

1. Kidney disease has an indirect impact on global morbidity and mortality by increasing the risks associated with at least five other major diseases: cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and malaria.

Source: https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/96/6/17-206441/en/

1. 13 people die each day while waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant

Source: https://www.kidney.org/news/newsroom/factsheets/Organ-Donation-and-Transplantation-Stats

Signs of kidney failure

1. Feeling tired, weak, and low in energy
2. Nausea and vomiting
3. Itchy skin
4. Low appetite
5. Weight loss
6. Shortness of breath
7. High Blood pressure
8. Swollen legs

Major types of kidney disease

1. Diabetic kidney disease
2. Polycystic kidney disease, commonly known as PKD
3. Hypertensive kidney disease
4. Inflammatory kidney disease

Treatment options on a kidney failure

1. Kidney Transplant  ||  Read more
2. Hemodialysis  ||  Read more
3. Peritoneal dialysis  ||  Read more
4. Conservative Care  ||  Read more

Social Aspects of kidney disease

1. Employment  ||  Read more: https://psychonephrology.com/social-impact/employment/ 
2. Social Life  ||  Read more https://psychonephrology.com/social-impact/social-life/ 
3. Marital Relationships  ||  Read more https://psychonephrology.com/social-impact/marital-relationships/
4. Family  ||  Read more https://psychonephrology.com/social-impact/family/
5. Sex and intimacy  ||  Read more https://psychonephrology.com/social-impact/sex-and-intimacy/
6. Travel  ||  Read more  https://psychonephrology.com/social-impact/travel/

Psychological Aspect of kidney disease

“The trauma of dialysis initiation” discusses at length the psychosocial impact of serious medical illness, such as kidney disease, which affects not only patients but also caregivers and clinicians. Although turbulent behavior may arise, as a consequence of inner conflicts and anxieties, at any time throughout the illness trajectory of the patient, it is appreciated more at the time of dialysis start.

Read more: https://psychonephrology.com/the-trauma-of-dialysis-initiation/

General Tips for keeping your kidneys healthy

1. Drink lots of water
2. See your family doctor annually
3. Exercise 3-4 times a week
4. Eat healthy meals
5. If you already have a medical condition, always consult your healthcare team before making any changes in your lifestyle/ medications

 

Failing kidneys and different treatment options

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi34xCfmLhw&feature=emb_imp_woyt

 

Stages of kidney disease

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ivERHvLVcc&t=4sSymptoms of Kidney Disease

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1_srNUJkjE&feature=emb_imp_woyt

These twin bean-shaped organs of our body are vital to our well-being and quality of life.
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