Diabetes, BP cause kidney failure: experts

The chronic kidney disease is rising in Pakistan owing to late diagnosis, high volume of stone disease and rising trend of diabetes and high blood pressure, said Dr Saeed Akhtar, a well known renal transplant surgeon, consultant urologist and head of kidney transplant department, Shifa International Hospital (SIH).
He was addressing a seminar organised by the SIH to mark World Kidney Day on Thursday.
Eminent nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan was the chief guest. A large number of people from all walks of life attended the seminar. Free blood test, sugar, hemoglobin, serum creatinine and urine RE tests of the participants were also conducted by the hospital on this occasion. SIH President and CEO Dr Manzoor H Qazi gave vote of thanks in the end.
Dr Saeed Akhtar said the best way to prevent kidney failure is early diagnosis of underlying disease and aggressive treatment. “However despite all the measures, some kidneys fail.” He suggested that the treatment of kidney failure is either hemodialysis or kidney transplant, whereas dialysis offer an excellent short time cure.
“Transplant is the option which gives the best chance of a good long term quality of life,” he underlined. One year patient survival on hemodialysis is 75 percent and after transplant it is 98 percent. For patients who do not have a living donor available, they can opt for deceased donor transplantation (cadaveric transplant), he said.
Dr Akhtar highlighted that Islam gives permission for such transplant and all major Islamic bodies including Islamic Ideological Council of Pakistan have given their verdict in its favour.
He urged upon the masses to donate body organs after death as one deceased person can help nine people live a better life by donating different body organs. The results of cadaveric transplant are very encouraging, he observed.
Consultant Nephrologist Khawaja Sayeed Ahmed said toxic drugs and fake medicines had their own considerable share in kidney damage. Kidney diseases are diagnosed through history, examinations by qualified doctors and certain tests. He said many kidney diseases can be treated efficiently if diagnosed in time. “Otherwise permanent kidney damage occurs that can prove fatal for the patient,” he stated.
He was of the view that blood pressure and diabetes must be controlled optimally to keep kidney fit. Diet, nutrition and lifestyle should be healthy throughout the life even if diabetes or blood pressure is under control.
Dr Khawaja, however, advised that once the kidney damages, patients with blood pressure and diabetes should visit their doctor regularly. The dose of antibiotics should be adjusted according to the kidney function, he added. He also recommended the audience to make sure fluid intakes are proper during kidney disorder.
Consultant Nephrologist Dr Nayer Mahmud was of the view that many people knew nothing about kidney disease until it’s too late. He observed that unlike many diseases, kidney disease often had no symptoms until it was very advanced.
He expressed his regret that often because of lack of awareness on the side of physicians, diagnosis gets delayed. “To keep your kidneys healthier for longer time, a very important step is to learn about the disease and also get your kidneys tested on periodic basis, he recommended.
Dr Nayer observed that the clues that could make people aware of kidney problems were generalised weakness, increasing paleness, aches and pain, vomiting, falling appetite, body swelling, breathing difficulties and blood in urine. Kidney diseases also run in families, he informed.
Dr Nayer said that kidney disease is usually a progressive disease, which means that the damage in the kidneys tends to be permanent. “So it is important to identify kidney disease early before the damage is inflicted,” he added.