AJHRC marks ‘WKD’ with Theme ‘ Healthy Lifestyle for Healthy Kidneys’
AJ Hospital and Research Centre marks ‘World Kidney Day ‘ with Theme ‘ Healthy Lifestyle for Healthy Kidneys’. World Kidney Day is a global awareness campaign aimed at raising awareness of the importance of our kidneys
Mangaluru: World Kidney Day comes back every year. All across the globe many hundred events take place from public screenings – it is all done to create awareness about preventive behaviours, awareness about risk factors, and awareness about kidney disease. Raise awareness about the “amazing kidneys” ; Highlight that diabetes and high blood pressure are key risk factors for Chronic Kidney Disease (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.
Encouraging Transplantation is a best-outcome option for kidney failure and the act of organ donation as a life-saving initiative. It is widely accepted that kidney ailments are silent killers. The impact of kidney ailments is profound on the quality of one’s life. Long-term planning and adherence to preventive measures are needed to avoid complications. A simple ‘eight golden rules’ have to be followed to keep kidney ailments at bay, doctors recommend. The first major recommendation to keep kidneys healthy is to keep fit and active. Physicians suggest that everybody should inculcate a habit of walking, running or cycling for at least 30 minutes daily. A fit body keeps blood pressure under check, which in turn reduces the risk of kidney diseases. Also, maintain control of blood sugar level; Monitor blood pressure; eat healthy and check weight constantly; maintain a healthy fluid intake; Quit smoking; avoid taking over-the- counter pills on regular basis; get your kidney checked if there are one or more high-risk factors.
World Kidney Day started in 2006 and has not stopped growing ever since. Every year, the campaign highlights a particular theme, and this year the Theme is ” Healthy Lifestyle for Healthy Kidneys’. Addressing the gathering with an awareness talk, Dr Raghavendra Nayak- Consultant Nephrologist, AJHRC said, “World Kidney Day 2017 with ‘Healthy Lifestyle for Healthy Kidneys” campaign urges everyone around the globe, from all cultures and ages, to keep fit and active. This campaign is a symbol to encourage people to maintain a minimum level of physical activity in any way they can, with their own means and frequency, regardless of their physical condition. Small steps can make a difference to keep healthy kidneys and we value every single effort. We should not celebrate WKD only one day, but observe it every single day to bring awareness and prevent Kidney diseases”.
“The World Kidney Day Team passionately believes it is important we make the general public aware of kidney diseases which affect millions of people worldwide, including many children who may be at risk of kidney disease at an early age. It is, therefore, crucial that we encourage and facilitate education, early detection and a healthy lifestyle in children, starting at birth and continuing through to old age, to combat the increase of preventable kidney damage including acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease and to treat children with inborn and acquired disorders of the kidney. So, while we are observing WKD, let’s join forces once again to inform parents, caregivers, young patients, policy makers and the general public of the importance of identifying and treating childhood kidney diseases, instilling an awareness of the risks for their future from kidney damage that originates in childhood, therefore building healthier future generations! Let’s make much use of this awareness programme today” added Dr Nayak.
Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Dr Prashanth Marla- Medical Director and CEO of AJHRC said, “Another major rule for a healthy kidney is to control blood sugar levels. Prevalence of kidney ailments among diabetics is huge. It’s important to control blood sugar levels to reduce damage to kidneys. Physicians recommend constant monitoring of blood pressure for a healthy kidney. Normal blood pressure range is 120 by 80. Persons with a reading of 129 by 89 are known to be pre-hypertensive and should adopt lifestyle and dietary changes. At 140 by 90 level, patients have to contact a doctor to discuss risks involved. High blood pressure with diabetes and high cholesterol are an ideal cocktail for kidney damage”.
“Eating healthy and controlling one’s weight is another factor that keeps kidney ailments in check. Salt intake should be reduced to only 5 to 6 gram per day. To be able to reduce salt intake, physicians recommend avoiding restaurant food. Consume plenty of fluids for a healthy kidney. Taking fluids helps kidneys to clear sodium, urea and other toxins from the body and thus reducing the risk of kidney ailments. At least 1.5 litres of water should be taken per day by an average person. Kidney stones patients should take 2 to 3 litres of fluids per day. Smoking and abuse of over-the-counter pills on a regular basis should be avoided at any cost. Kidney function should be tested regularly by persons with diabetes, hypertension, obesity and persons with family history,” added Dr Marla.
The event comprised of Flash Mob and Mime by the staff and students of AJHRC, followed by distribution of educational materials pertaining to Kidney disease, and also tips on a healthy diet by professional dietitians of AJHRC. The programme was compered by Lavita D’Souza of Nursing Dept;, and was arranged by the Marketing dept; supervised by Shivaprasad Shetty and team. A similar programme will be held at City Centre Mall-Mangaluru at 5:00 pm, with Flash Mob and Mime, including awareness talk by Dr Pritam Sharma- Consultant Urologist, AJHRC.