Chronic
Kidney Disease or CKD is one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines[1].
According to the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI), one Filipino
develops chronic renal failure every hour[2],
that is estimated to be at least 2.3 million Filipinos currently diagnosed with
CKD.[3]
CKD
is a condition where the kidney’s functions have gradually decreased over a
period of time, and it can no longer filter blood as properly as before. As a
result, excess waste and fluid remains in the body and causes other health
problems such as heart disease and stroke.[5]
“The
problem with this is that it has no early signs. Symptoms will only show when
your kidneys have deteriorated already,[6]”
shares Dr. Greta Cortez, Head of Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines),
Inc. “Fortunately, there are a number of ways we can keep our kidneys healthy
and prevent CKD such as early screening, lifestyle checks, and understanding
your family’s medical history.”
There
is a simple 2-step screening process to check kidney health. First is the
estimated glomerular filtration rate (eFGR),
The
two primary conditions that often lead to CKD are Diabetes and Hypertension.
Lifestyle factors such as age, smoking, family history of CKD, and obesity also
put individuals at risk of CKD.[8]
Unhealthy lifestyles are also considered because they might cause you to eat
foods high in sugar and sodium, be exposed to constant stress, or keep you from
moving your body.
Keeping
our kidneys healthy means keeping our whole body healthy.
It
is highly recommended to make sure you’re getting enough exercise every day
even if it’s just walking. Eat foods less in sugar and salt and eat more fruits
and vegetables.
“Cultivating a healthy lifestyle within your
community is key to maintaining them. We can hold each other accountable,”
shares Reynaldo Abacan Jr., Founder and President of Dialysis PH, a support
organization for renal failure patients and their families. “We encourage
everyone to check their kidney health as chronic kidney disease is a lifelong
condition that affects the quality of life, not just of the patient but of
their loved ones as well.”
But
remember, getting your kidneys checked is the most straightforward way to find
out if your kidneys are healthy. Reach out to your doctor as soon as possible
and make sure your loved ones do too.
[1] Department of
Health. Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Control. https://doh.gov.ph/health-programs/chronic-kidney-disease-prevention-and-control/policies. Accessed Jan 5, 2024.
[2] KIDNEY HEALTH PLUS.
National Kidney Transplant Institute . (n.d.).
https://nkti.gov.ph/index.php/news/announcements/14-patients-and-visitors?start=15
[3] Philippine News
Agency. 2022. Davao City ranks 3rd in PH with most kidney diseases. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1177310. Accessed Jan 5,
2024.
[4] The Lancet. Global,
regional, and national burden of chronic kidney disease, 1990–2017: a
systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30045-3/. Accessed Mar 14,
2024
[5] Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Chronic Kidney Disease Basics. https://www.cdc.gov/kidneydisease/basics.html#:~:text=CKD%20is%20a%20condition%20in,More%20than%201%20in%207. Accessed Mar 7,
2024.
[6] Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Chronic Kidney Disease Basics. https://www.cdc.gov/kidneydisease/basics.html#:~:text=CKD%20is%20a%20condition%20in,More%20than%201%20in%207. Accessed Mar 7, 2024.
[7] National Health
Service. Chronic Kidney Disease Diagnosis. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-disease/diagnosis/. Accessed Mar 7,
2024
|
Boehringer Ingelheim is working on
breakthrough therapies that transform lives, today and for generations to
come. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company
creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Founded
in 1885 and family-owned ever since, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term,
sustainable perspective. More than 53,000 employees serve over 130 markets in
the two business units Human Pharma and Animal Health. Learn more at
www.boehringer-ingelheim.com |
[8] National Health
Service. Chronic Kidney Disease Diagnosis. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-disease/diagnosis/. Accessed Mar 7,
2024
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