Kidney specialists from Life Carstenhof and Netcare discuss disease awareness

The world commemorated World Kidney Day on March 9 to raise awareness about the various kidney diseases that exist and how they can affect one’s life.

A nephrologist at Life Carstenhof Hospital, Dr Moses Mahlangu explained that undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes, high blood pressure or HIV significantly increase the risk of kidney disease.

Mahlangu said these conditions may not initially have any noticeable symptoms. Many people are living with deteriorating kidney health, unaware of this serious long-term threat to their well-being. This points to the need for greater awareness of the importance of regular screening and reliable access to chronic medication.

Kidneys have a vital role in purifying blood and maintaining the necessary balance in our bodies. “When kidneys are functioning properly, they remove toxins from the blood and keep the body from becoming too acidic. The kidneys help to maintain the body’s fluid levels, salts and electrolytes,” Mahlangu explained.

“When a person’s kidneys are damaged to the point where they are no longer able to perform these functions, this is known as kidney failure. The person will need to have special renal therapy known as dialysis several times a week and a special machine is used to artificially purify the blood.”

Possible symptoms of kidney disease may include feeling tired and generally unwell, changes in the colour or volume of the urine, and swelling.

Marizette Weldhagen of Medipost Pharmacy explained that if a person’s system is under pressure from an underlying health condition that is poorly controlled, this may cause irreversible damage to the kidneys potentially leading to chronic kidney disease or even kidney failure.

Practising nephrologist at Netcare Dr Kagiso Motse said, “Kidney disease is unfortunately far more common than people think. Kidney failure is the ninth most common cause of death in South Africa. However, it often doesn’t present with any symptoms until it has reached a more advanced stage.

People who are at increased risk are advised to screen for kidney disease each year, as kidney function can often be preserved if it is detected earlier.

Motse said the risks for kidney disease fall into two categories – those they can do something about and the risks that are unmodifiable or beyond our control.

“The unmodifiable risks include age, as older people are more likely to get kidney disease. Genetic factors with certain ethnic groups tending to be more predisposed to kidney disease, and previous physical damage to the structure of the kidneys,” added Motse.

“It is never easy to be diagnosed with a chronic condition. However, the good news is that if we are aware of our risks, there are modifiable risks we can do something about to support remaining kidney function. If you are overweight, talk to your treating doctor about how you can safely lose weight to help alleviate strain on your kidneys,” she advises.

She concluded that the hallmark for prevention of kidney failure is controlling the risk factors. “Know your status for these common conditions, and if you have diabetes, hypertension, HIV, or other conditions associated with a higher chance of kidney damage, you can reduce your risk by ensuring your condition is well managed and regularly screening the kidneys using blood and urine tests to look for signs of dysfunction.”

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