World kidney day 2023
KIDNEY HEALTH FOR ALL: PREPRARING FOR THE UNEXPECTED, SUPPORTING THE VULNERABLE
World Kidney Day is a global health campaign observed on second Thursday of March celebrated every year, with the aim of developing awareness about the importance of kidneys and its health as well as reducing the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems among the people worldwide. The campaign is led by the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) in collaboration with the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF) and is also supported by various organizations and institutions around the world to promote the well being of every individual.
The theme of World kidney day differs every year, with the resolution of underscoring the different aspects of kidney health and disease prevention. The theme for World Kidney Day 2023 is “ Kidney health for all: preparing for the unexpected , supporting the vulnerable ,” with a direction of promoting the best possible quality of life for people with kidney disease through various early diagnosis, way in to effective treatment, and required support and care for the patients.
The World Kidney Day is a wonderful opportunity to educate and talk to the people about the risk factors for kidney disease, including high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and a family history of kidney disease, and to encourage healthy lifestyle habits such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption among the patients for the best possible life to live . It is also a golden chance to raise awareness about the importance of regular kidney functions testing, which can easily the detect early signs of kidney disease which are most frequently ignored by the people and enable timely intervention to prevent further damage to cause and defoliate such a precious life .
World Kidney Day is an essential and very critical global health campaigning that plays a vital role in promoting kidney health and disease prevention globally.
How world kidney day is celebrated worldwide?
World Kidney Day is celebrated every year on second Thursday of March globally . It is an annual global awareness campaign confined in raising awareness about the essential role of kidney health and reducing the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems among the patients.
The celebration of World Kidney Day varies from country to country, place to place but generally, there are some common ways people celebrate this day which includes :
Organization of health camps in different places : Several health camps are generally organized in different parts of the world to spread awareness about kidney health and promote early detection of kidney disease among the residents.
Health walks or marathon: People participate in health walks with different banners and posters to raise awareness about kidney disease and promote healthy lifestyles in the neighbouring people they cross every where they go.
Conducting various seminars and lectures : Healthcare professionals and experts organize various seminars and lectures on kidney health, the important functions of kidneys, the risk factors for kidney disease, and ways to prevent it.
Organizing and promoting social media campaigns : Social media is widely used to spread awareness about kidney health, share important facts and figures, and encourage people to get their kidneys checked on a regular basis .
Certain fundraising events: Many organizations organize fundraising events to support research and education related to kidney disease especially to educate and help the vulnerable group of society.
Many media coverages: Several television programs, radio shows, and newspapers feature stories about kidney health and World Kidney Day with a resolution to share essential information among the patients or the vulnerable group.
Organizing free health camps for the people: Some hospitals and clinics offer free screening tests for kidney disease to encourage early detection and treatment to help people with maintainable body systems.
The celebration of World Kidney Day plays a very important role in raising awareness about the importance of kidney health and triggering healthy lifestyles to prevent kidney disease further in the lives of people.
What are the most important functions of our kidneys?
The kidneys are very essential organs of the body that performs an array of crucial functions. Here are some of the most important functions of the kidneys listed below:
Regulation of fluid balance in the body: The kidneys play an engrossing role in maintaining the body’s fluid balance. They filter waste and toxic products and excess water from the blood, which is then excreted as urine and ultimately maintaining a healthy chorus of body.
Excreting out the waste products from the body: The kidneys remove toxic and unwanted products such as urea, creatinine, and uric acid from the blood. These waste products are produced during the breakdown of proteins and other substances in the body which needs to be removed out and this crucial function is played by our kidneys.
Regulation of all electrolytes in the body: The kidneys regulate the levels of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium in the body. These electrolytes are essential for proper nerve and muscle regulation to work systematically.
Kidneys also produce hormones: The kidneys produce several hormones, which are erythropoietin, which stimulates the production of red blood cells, and renin, which helps regulate blood pressure and these hormones are very essential to maintain a healthy body system.
Balancing of the pH levels in the body : The kidneys help maintain the body’s acid-base balance by excreting excess acids or bases as per needed in the body to work well.
Maintains or regulates the blood pressure: The kidneys help regulate and manage the blood pressure by producing hormones that constrict or dilate blood vessels which is also a risk factor for kidney disease.
Kidneys also activates Vitamin D: The kidneys play a critical role in activating an important vitamin D, which is necessary for strong bones and maintaining other important functions in the body.
What are the major signs of troubling kidneys?
There are several potential signs of kidney trouble, but here are some of the 5 common symptoms to look out for:
Change in urine color or its frequency: This can include frequent urination, difficulty urinating or feeling of pain , or changes in the color, smell, or appearance of urine signifies the trouble of kidneys.
Swelling in the kidneys: Kidney problems can cause swelling in different parts of the body, including the legs, ankles, feet, face, and hands which might occur with certain pain sometimes.
Fatigue or tiredness : If your kidneys aren’t working properly, you may feel tired or weak very frequently, especially if you’re not getting enough oxygen to your cells due to various other reasons
Feeling Of Pain : Pain in the back, sides, or abdomen can be a sign of kidney trouble and these are very common in kidney patients, especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms as well.
High blood pressure as it’s risk factor: The kidneys play a crucial role in regulating blood pressure, so if they’re not functioning properly, you may occur with blood pressure or have difficulty regulating existing hypertension.
What are the major as well as common tests for kidneys to do periodically?
Conducting blood tests periodically : Blood tests can be used to detect for creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels as well as other levels , which are waste products filtered by the kidneys. High levels of creatinine and BUN in the blood may indicate that the kidneys are not functioning properly.
Urine tests : Urine tests are to be used to check for your protein, blood, and other substances levels that may indicate kidney damage or disease.
Glomerular filtration rate(GFR) : This test are done for measuring how well the kidneys are filtering waste from the blood. A GFR of less than 60 may indicate kidney disease or a bad kidney health .
Certain Imaging tests : Imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI can provide us with all the detailed pictures of the kidneys and help identify any abnormalities if existing.
Kidney biopsy- : In certain cases, a biopsy may be needed to diagnose kidney disease. This involves taking a small sample of kidney tissue for analysis under a microscope which gives a clear picture of kidneys if they are in good condition or not.
What is the aim of celebrating the world kidney day ?
The main reason to celebrate the World kidney day is to raise awareness about kidney health . World Kidney Day is celebrated to educate people about the potential risk factors for kidney disease, the very importance of early detection, and the major lifestyle changes that can be done to help prevent or delay the onset of kidney disease. Kidney disease is a very common and can turn into a serious health problem that can lead to complications such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure in the later stages .
Raising awareness about kidney health can help people make informed choices about their lifestyle and healthcare, including maintaining a healthy diet, exercising on a regular basis , quitting bad habits like smoking, managing blood pressure and blood sugar levels which are the potential risk factors for developing the kidney complications and getting regular kidney function tests done .
It can also help reduce the stigma and misconceptions about the vital kidneys and the kidney disease and encourage people to seek medical help if they experience symptoms of kidney disease to help them with better health and wellness.
raising awareness about kidney health on World Kidney Day has become a very important nowadays because it can help prevent developing kidney disease, improve outcomes for people with kidney disease, and reduce the burden of kidney disease on individuals, families, and healthcare system and this will ultimately help in developing a better and prosperous nation.
What can you do to keep your kidneys long living ?
Here are a lists of things that you can do to help keep your kidneys healthy and long living :
Keep yourself hydrated : Drink plenty of water to help flush out toxins out of your kidneys.
Maintain and Eat a very healthy diet : Eat a balanced diet that is low in salt, sugar, and fat that includes a plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
Make exercising a regular habit : Exercise can help you with improving kidney function and overall health.
Control the blood sugar levels : If you have diabetes, it’s important to control your blood sugar levels to prevent kidney damage further .
Control your blood pressure as well: High blood pressure can damage your kidneys, so it’s important to keep it under control by regulating various aspects of things in life .
Avoid bad habits like Smoking: Smoking can seriously damage your kidneys and lead to kidney disease.
Limit or quit the alcohol consumption from your life : Drinking too much alcohol can damage your kidneys and lead to kidney disease and can also damage your liver .
Take medications as per directed by your healthcare professionals or your nephrologist: If you have a serious medical condition that requires medication, take it as per directed by your doctor to prevent kidney damage or any other part from deterioration.
Get regular check-us periodically: Regular check-ups with your doctor can help detect kidney problems early and prevent further damaging of the kidneys.
Always Remember, prevention is the key to keeping your kidneys healthy and long lived . By adopting a healthy lifestyle and getting regular check-ups, you can very easily help prevent kidney disease and maintain a very good kidney health.
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