National Kidney Awareness Week; eight rules to assist with kidney health

According to a statement released by TELL (Transplant Education for Living Legacies), South Africa has one of the highest rates of end-stage kidney failure in the world and a very low rate of organ and tissue donation and transplants.

TELL was created in 2018 and two of the three founders and directors are lung transplant recipients, which not only gave them a second chance at life but also allowed them to make a difference in the transplant community.

Unfortunately, the lack of education in transplant matter is only making things more difficult which is why taking a hands-on approach and educating the medical fraternity and public, TELL (Transplant Education for Living Legacies) hopes families, friends and colleagues start the conversation and that everyone accepts that organ and tissue donation is a benefit to society.

TELL project manager Stella de Kock was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure in 2011. She was 35 years old.  While De Kock was awaiting a kidney transplant she needed to receive hemo-dialysis three times a week for four hours at a time.

De Kock has been on the transplant waiting list since 2012. Covid-19 had a negative effect on most things, however affected the patients with chronic diseases much worse as they are higher risk and could be fatal for them.

Covid-19 has also affected organ transplant centres that had to suspend their programmes due to more resources provided to the pandemic. Some transplants centres are continuing with transplants under very strict protocols and with physician and patient approval.

After a transplant has occurred a patient is in a very critical stage for the first three months as they have to take immune suppressant medication and their immune systems are extremely suppressed.

Usually one doesn’t think about kidneys and the work they do until they cease to function. A global awareness campaign called World Kidney Day has developed eight golden rules to follow to ensure you keep your kidneys healthy.

Here are eight golden rules for kidney health:

1. Monitor and control your blood pressure

It is good practice to know what your blood pressure is as high blood pressure can damage your kidneys and cause chronic kidney disease (CKD) which can progress to end-stage renal failure (ESRD). Normal blood pressure is 120/80, if your blood pressure is above this level when measured on two different days, consult your healthcare provider to discuss lifestyle and dietary changes that you need to make to control your blood pressure.

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2. Control your blood sugar level

Many people who are diabetic develop ESRD, therefore it is important to maintain your blood sugar levels and have your kidney function tested regularly. With early detection, the progression to ESRD from diabetes can be reduced or even prevented.

3. Get moving

Some of the benefits of regular exercise are:
• maintaining your ideal body weight;
• reduce blood pressure;
• reduce the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD).

4. Eat a healthy diet and keep your weight stable

The reason for eating a healthy diet is that it can prevent a lot of lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and other chronic condition associated with chronic renal failure. Thus keeping your weight in check put less stress on all your organs.

Limiting your salt intake six grams a day (a teaspoon). Processed food contains a lot of salt, it is best to prepare your meal form fresh ingredients whenever possible.

5. Drink enough water

Your kidneys will thank you for looking after them, drinking enough water helps clear your system of excess minerals such as sodium, potassium and phosphates which can cause damage to your organs and ultimately death. The ideal amount of fluid you need to take will be influenced by how active you are, the climate you stay in, health conditions, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Consult your doctor on the appropriate fluid intake for your condition.

6. Don’t start to smoke and quit if you do

Smoking causes less blood to reach your kidneys which in turn cause them to function properly. As stated above if your kidneys don’t function properly they cannot clear your body of excess minerals and toxins.

7. Avoid taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication on a regular basis

If you take over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (such as ibuprofen) on a regular basis, you could be putting your health at risk of developing CKD. Consult your healthcare professional to manage your pain and protect your kidneys.

8. Get your kidney function checked regularly if you are in the high-risk group.

You are considered to be a high risk to develop Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) if you have:
• diabetes
• hypertension
• a family history of kidney disease
• are obese

There is no cure for CKD, but it can be prevented and the progression to ESRD can be managed. Make sure that you follow the eight golden rules to look after your kidneys. The beans (kidneys) in your body will thank you.

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