Kidney disease is on the rise and is an important cause of death in the Philippines. Statistics show that kidney disease among the Filipinos is shooting up every year. Almost 10,000 Filipinos requiring either dialysis for life or a kidney transplant for survival. About 31% of them have the most advanced stage of the disease. Hence it is very essential to find a cure or prevent the further rise in number says Dr. Augusto Litonjua, president of Diabetes Center of the Philippines.
The main cause of kidney disease seems to the increasing diabetic conditions among the Filipinos. It is seen that about 55% of Filipinos develop kidney disease when they suffer from diabetes. The Philippine Society of Nephrology (PSN) issued the statement that diabetes is the single most common cause of kidney failure among diabetes mellitus nephropathy patients.Dr. Dinna Cruz, a kidney specialist trained at Yale University School of Medicine said that early detection prevents chronic disease conditions and can be treated with medications, lifestyle changes. By this way one can avoid the development of heart disease.
Kidney problems are also seen among children as well. This is seen by the study conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) and National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI). The results of their study points out to the fact that majority of the children suffer from urinary tract infection in their adolescent life. When the function of the kidney is compromised then it results in a variety of symptoms, particularly swelling of the hands and feet, frequent thirst, increased fatigue and sleepiness, decrease in appetite, poor growth, the passing of very small amounts of urine, unpleasant taste in the mouth and urine-like odor to the breath, pale skin, excessively dry, persistently itchy skin, shortness of breath, and a frequent urge to urinate.
Kidney disease are caused due to a variety of conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or atherosclerosis and others such as Lupus erythmatosis which results in decreased flow of blood to the organ. It is of two types Acute – wherein the kidney function are lost in a sudden manner due to a heart attack or a traumatic injury, a serious infection, or a toxic reaction to drug. In case of athletes and long runners an acute kidney failure occurs when myoglobin is released due to lack of fluids in the body. Chronic - In this case deterioration takes place gradually over a period of many years. But this is very dangerous as there are no symptoms and it results in irreparable damage.
Alternative treatments may be used to supplement the care that is due o the kidney. Another important step is to stop smoking. In conclusion Dr. Cruz says that kidney disease are not o be neglected and if detected early in life can be treated completely by avoiding the various life threatening complications.
