Thursday 10 March 2011

Protect Your Kidneys and Save Your Heart

In 2011, the sixth World Kidney Day will use this theme to inform the global population about the connection between the kidney and your heart. More than 5% of the adult population have some form of kidney damage, and every year millions die prematurely of cardiovascular diseases linked to Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD).

The link between kidney disease and high blood pressure indicates that 80% of those with kidney failure suffer from high blood pressure. With 50 Australians daily dying of kidney related disease, Kidney Health Australia urges Australians to "keep the pressure down"! See the current Snapshot of CKD in Australia.

World Kidney Day (WKD) is a global health awareness campaign focusing on the importance of our kidneys and reducing the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide and is celebrated annually on the second Thursday of March. The objectives of World Kidney Day are to:

• Raise awareness about our "amazing kidneys"
• Highlight that diabetes and high blood pressure are key risk factors for  CKD
• Encourage systematic screening of all patients with diabetes and hypertension for CKD
• Encourage preventive behaviours
• Educate all medical professionals about their key role in detecting and reducing the risk of CKD, particularly in high risk populations.
• Stress the important role of local and national health authorities in controlling the CKD epidemic. Health authorities worldwide will have to deal with high and escalating costs if no action is taken to treat the growing number of people with CKD. On World Kidney Day all governments are encouraged to take action and invest in further kidney screening

 The Impact of Kidney Disease Report

Released on World Kidney Day 2010
The National Consumer Council of Kidney Health Australia has produced a special report entitled The Impact of Kidney Disease and what Government should be doing about it' on behalf of all Aussies with kidney disease. being treated for end stage kidney disease (dialysis or transplantation). Each week an additional 50 people commence dialysis. With only 5% of the 10,000 people on dialysis lucky enough to receive a kidney transplant each year, most will never have that opportunity. In fact, the number of people on dialysis is projected to double to 20,000 by the year 2020. Every day 50 people die of kidney related disease.

There are over 18,000 Australians currently living with advanced kidney disease has a serious negative impact on people’s quality of life. We want Government to understand the world of kidney patients with advanced disease, particularly those on dialysis, and their families.

The release of this report highlights one of the failings of the national health system that is going to balloon into an even bigger problem because of the ageing of Australia's population. David Parker, Chair of KHA's National Consumer Council, said this report will provide a unique insight for Members of Parliament into the patient's view of how patients, families and carers are treated by the current system and the areas needing urgent reform.

What can you do for your kidneys? The seven golden rules

Kidney diseases are silent killers which will affect your quality of life.There are however several easy ways to reduce the risk of developing these kidney diseases and also reduce the chances of you developing diabetes or cardiovascular diseases.

1. Keeping fit and active - increase your daily physical activity 
   Keeping fit helps reduce your blood pressure and therefore reduces the risk of CKD. The concept "on the move for kidney health" is a worldwide collective march involving the public, celebrities and professionals moving across a public area by walking, running and cycling. See our MeasureUp and CKD webpages to help - MeasureUp with physical activity, MeasureUp with healthy eating and MeasureUp and wellness. KHA works in harmony with Measure Up Campaign.
   
   
2. Keep regular control of your blood sugar level, blood lipids and anaemia
   About half of people who have diabetes develop kidney damage, so it is important for people with diabetes to have regular tests to check their kidney functions. Kidney damage from diabetes can be reduced or prevented if detected early. It is important to keep control of blood sugar levels with the help of doctors or pharmacists, who are always happy to help.
   
   
3. Monitor your blood pressure, reduce it if necessary - the lower the blood pressure, the slower your GFR declines
   Although many people may be aware that high blood pressure can lead to a stroke or heart attack, few know that it is also the most common cause of kidney damage. The normal blood pressure level is 120/80. Between this level and 129/89, you are considered prehypertensive and should adopt lifestyle and dietary changes. At 140/90 and above, you should discuss the risks with your doctor and montior your blood pressure level regularly. High blood pressure is especially likely to cause kidney damage when associated with other factors like diabetes, high cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases. Your doctor may give you specific medications to reduce proteinuria as well as lower your blood pressure - ACE inhibitors/ARBs.
   
   
4. Eat healthy and keep your weight in check
   This can help prevent diabetes, heart disease and other conditions associated with CDK. Reduce your salt intake as it helps to lower blood pressure - join the Aussie Drop the Salt Campaign! The recommended sodium (salt) intake is 5-6 grams of salt per day (a teaspoon). Try to limit the amount of processed and restaurant food and do not add salt to food. Visit our Nutrition and CKD webpage.
   
   
5. Do not smoke
   Smoking slows the flow of blood to the kidneys. When less blood reaches the kidneys, it impairs their ability to function properly. Smoking also increases the risk of kidney cancer by about 50 percent. QUIT Ring 137848 and ask for a FREE Quit Pack or CONTACT  Smokenders Australia  Helpline 1800 021 000.
   
   
6. Do not take over-the-counter pills on a regular basis
   Common drugs such non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen, are known to cause kidney damage and disease if taken regularly. Such medications probably do not pose significant danger if your kidneys are relatively healthy and you use them for emergencies only, but if you are dealing with chronic pain, such as arthritis or back pain, work with your doctor to find a way to control your pain without putting your kidneys at risk. Refer ABC Health Consumer Guides.
   
   
7. Check your kidney function if you have one or more of the 'high risk' factors
   *  you have diabetes
   *  you have hypertension
   *  you are obese
   *  you or one of your family members suffers from kidney disease
   *  You are of certain ethnic backgrounds: African, African American, Asian, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, Native American or of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander descent
   

Kidney diseases - Common, Harmful and Treatable 

COMMON 

Common causes of CKD include inflammatory diseases of the kidney, infections, obstruction in the urinary tract and inherited disorders like polycystic kidney disease. But in both developed and developing nations diabetes and hypertension are becoming the most common causes of CKD, especially in older people. These are also the most common causes of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

The first consequence of undetected CKD is the risk of developing progressive loss of kidney function leading to kidney failure and the need for dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant. The second is premature death from associated cardiovascular disease. Individuals who appear to be healthy who are then found to have CKD have an increased risk of dying prematurely from CVD (coronary disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, and heart failure) regardless of whether they ever develop kidney failure.

Current Global Snapshot of CKD - Kidney disease is very common, it affects an increasing number of people and cultures from continent to continent. It is estimated that approximately 400-600 million adults worldwide have chronic kidney disease. The first consequence of undetected CKD is the risk of developing progressive loss of kidney function leading to kidney failure and the need for dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant to maintain life. The second is premature death from associated cardiovascular disease. Most importantly, most forms of kidney disease are treatable, its progression can often be curtailed particularly if caught early. Early detection and treatment can often keep chronic kidney disease from getting worse, and can prevent the need for dialysis or a transplant. See the current Snapshot of CKD in Australia.

Detection: Kidney disease can be detected early. Simple laboratory tests are done on small samples of blood (to measure creatinine content and estimate GFR) and on urine (to measure creatinine and albumin excretion). The majority of individuals with early stages of CKD go undiagnosed, particularly in the developing world. The early detection of kidney impairment is essential and allows suitable treatment before kidney damage or cardiovascular problems occur.

Screening: This must be a priority for those people considered to be at high risk of kidney disease:

• Patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension
• Individuals who are obese or smoke
• Individuals over 50 years of age
• Individuals with a family history of kidney disease, diabetes mellitus or hypertension

Treatment: There is consistent evidence that with proper medications and management, the number of people with kidney failure can be significantly reduced. However, early stages of kidney disease often go unrecognised, and the knowledge of what can be done to help patients is often not applied. Clinical research over the last decade has shown the potential benefit of blockade of the renin-angiotensin system by ACEs and ARBs to significantly reduce the burden of disease from CVD, diabetes, hypertension and CKD at relatively low cost. 

HARMFUL

Chronic, non-communicable diseases and CKD - Chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease have now replaced the communicable diseases as the leading threat to public health and health budgets worldwide. Deaths claimed by infectious diseases will decline by 3% over the next decade. In marked contrast, chronic diseases – that already account for 72% of the total global burden of disease in people over 30 – will increase by 17%. Much of this in developing countries.

The cost of treating these chronic diseases, already 80% of many health care budgets, represents a leading threat to public health and healthcare resources worldwide. The only feasible global response to this pending health and socio-economic crisis is chronic disease prevention. Promoting early detection and prevention of CKD will be an important step towards achieving the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended goal of reducing death rates related to chronic disease in the world by 2% per year over the next decade.

Find interesting Kidney Health Australia Fact Sheets and Kidney Health Publications on our website. If you are a teacher go to our Schools Resources. 

World Kidney Day in 2010.  Matthew Brabham, the sixteen year old grandson of Australia's most famous racing car legend, Sir Jack Brabham OBE, assisted with launching World Kidney Day on Thursday 11 March 2010 on the steps of the Victorian Parliament, Spring Street, Melbourne. Matthew Brabham with his father Geoff Brabham, a Le Mans and Bathurst 1000 winner, joined Kidney Health Australia on the steps of the Victorian Parliament to make a noise about kidney disease and launch the 2010 campaign amd raced in the Melbourne Grand Prix on 25 March 2010. Matthew helps spread awareness about Chronic Kidney Disease by displaying a small symbolic Kidney Health Australia Red K on his car in honour of his grandfather Sir Jack Brabham who is on dialysis.