World Kidney Day
Simple urine test can protect kidney and heart as well
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is now considered as an independent and substantial risk factor for developing heart diseases. So, taking measures to prevent kidney damage can help both ways to protect us from kidney disease and its precarious consequences like heart diseases and stroke. A simple urine test to detect protein which is a sign of kidney disease can save our kidneys from damage and in turn our hearts. But a significant number of people are simply unaware of it. In order to make people aware of CKD and its dreadful role in increasing premature cardiovascular diseases (heart attack, stroke), sixth World Kidney Day was observed on March 10 with the theme "Protect your kidneys, save your heart". Although about 10 percent of the population has evidence of kidney dysfunction, it is often undiagnosed and do not get proper attention it deserves. A limited number of them will progress to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and more people will carry a greatly enhanced risk of premature death from heart diseases — the leading cause of death. High blood pressure and diabetes are risk factors for both kidney and heart diseases. But most people ignore the close inter-relationship between these diseases. Although one third of people suffering from diabetes are affected by kidney complications due to diabetes (called Diabetic Nephropathy), less than half of those undergo a simple screening test for kidney disease. The urine test is cheap and can detect amount/extent of protein passing through urine (called proteinuria) as a result of kidney damage. Experts urged people at risk to screen for proteinuria for early detection of kidney damage at which targeted treatment can prevent further damage. It can also help keeping our heart healthy as proteinuria accelerates harmful events from heart diseases. Kidney disease is a silent killer where the patients may experience no obvious symptoms until they reach kidney failure. It is then too late for treatment and the only way to stay alive is lifetime dialysis or transplantation — both options are matter of huge financial burden for people living in a country like Bangladesh. So, do not ignore to test your for greater benefit, for healthy kidneys with a healthy heart.
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