Life Robinson nephrologist speaks about kidney health

Our kidneys play a vital role in our overall health and they need to be taken care of.

In light of World Kidney Day that was observed on Thursday March 10 the Herald spoke to Doctor Mathews Thomas, the managing Nephrologist of the Life Renal Dialysis Unit at Life Robinson Private Hospital to learn more about kidney health and how we can take care of them.

Doctor Mathews explained that kidneys are bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist, in the lower back, one on either
side of the spine.

“The kidneys are sophisticated machines that process almost 200 litres of blood on a daily basis to sift out about two litres of waste products and extra water. The waste and extra water become urine, which flows to the bladder through tubes called ureters.”

The kidneys act as the filter system of the body. They keep the entire body chemically balanced by controlling helpful and harmful substances that move around in the body, keeping them within very tight parameters. The kidneys also keep bones healthy and help to regulate blood pressure.

“When the kidneys are no longer working effectively, waste products and fluid build up in the blood. Dialysis is a process of removing some of a person’s blood, cleaning it, and then returning it to the person’s body. Those who have become ill and have acute renal failure (temporary loss of kidney function), or persons fairly stable who have permanently lost kidney function (chronic kidney disease –CKD) undergo dialysis.”

Doctor Thomas said CKD is one of the leading caused of death worldwide if not detected early.

“Like its counterparts, South Africa is also experiencing an increase in the number of CKD cases. The South African Medical Journal estimates that 10% of people worldwide suffer from some degree of CKD, meaning that it is likely that some five million South Africans over the age of 20 may be affected by CKD.”

The two main types of kidney disease:

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) – This is the gradual loss of kidney function. When CKD reaches an advanced stage, dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and waste can build up in your body. CKD treatment focuses on slowing the progression of the kidney damage, usually by controlling the underlying cause. CKD can progress to end-stage kidney failure, which is fatal without dialysis or a kidney transplant.

• Acute kidney disease – This occurs when your kidneys suddenly become unable to filter waste products from your blood. When you kidneys lose their filtering ability, dangerous levels of wastes may accumulate, and your blood’s chemical make-up may become out of balance. Acute kidney failure can be fatal and requires intensive treatment. However, acute kidney failure may be reversible and if you are otherwise in good health, you may recover normal or near-normal kidney function.

Doctor Thomas said it’s important to educate people about kidney health and kidney disease, and one should know the signs and symptoms of kidney failure.

“Kidney failure tends to happen gradually. Even if just one kidney works, or both partially, normal kidney function is still possible. It can be a very long time before any symptoms are noticed.”

The symptoms of kidney failure:

• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Frequent need to urinate, especially at night (which grows with time)
• Itchy skin
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Erectile dysfunction
• Water retention (swollen feet, hands, ankles)
• Blood in the urine
• Protein in the urine

Know what causes kidney disease:

• Diabetes – responsible for 50% of renal failure cases
• Hypertension (high blood pressure) – 25% of all renal failure cases
• Kidney infection
• Inflammation of the kidney
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) – inherited
• Problems with kidney development in unborn babies
• Jaundice
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) – body’s own immune system attacks the kidneys
• Cardiac and vascular surgery
• Physical injury – such as a heavy blow to the kidney
• Long-term exposure to lead, solvents and fuels
• Over-consumption of some medication
• Malaria
• Yellow fever

Doctor Thomas gave the following tips to keep kidneys healthy:

• Keep fit and active
• Control of your blood glucose (sugar) levels
• Monitor your blood pressure
• Eat healthy and keep your weight in check
• Don’t smoke
• Don’t take over-the-counter medications (such as pain medication) on a regular basis or before exercise
• Decrease your salt intake, especially if you suffer from high blood pressure
• Maintain a healthy fluid intake