Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center’s Director Medical Education Dr. Hafiz Ijaz Ahmadgraciously gave some time for an exclusive question and answer session on human kidneys, kidney problems, causes, prevention and treatment for kidn
ey diseases. He also told us about PKLI’s role in prevention and treatment of kidn
ey diseases. This insightful interview would help you take care of your kidneys better for leading a healthy life.
On the occas
ion of World Kidney Day, which falls on February 14, Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center (PKLIRC) wishes to raise awareness about chronic kidn
ey disease (CKD), which was rapidly spreading in Pakistan, with 17 million pa
tients already.
Essentially important for human health, kidneys help remove waste products and extra water, assisting in controlling
blood pressure, the product
ion of red
blood cells, and keeping the bones healthy.
However, when damaged, these kidneys are not able to filter human
blood well enough. Most kidn
ey diseases do not occur overnight and happen slowly, in different stages. Most people in the early stages neither report any symptoms nor realise that anything is wrong with their kidneys. Yet, if diagnosed timely, kidney damages can be slowed or even stopped with proper treatment. In case the disease gets worse, waste starts building up in
blood, making problems like high
blood pressure, weak bones, a low red
blood cell count (anaemia), poor nutrition and nerve damage more likely. This poses a higher risk of cardiac diseases and can even result in total kidney failure. Such conditions then require treatments like dialysis or/and a kidney transplant.
It should be noted, however, that anyone could suffer from kidn
ey diseases, irrespective of age and gender. Still, some are at a higher risk due to various factors, particularly the incidence of diabetes and high
blood pressure, a family history of CKD, excessive use of medicines over the course of many years and old age (over 60 years).
Symptoms of CKD
Almost no symptoms have been reported at the initial stages. However, patient in later stages complain about tiredness, shortness of breath, trouble in thinking clearly, losing will to eat, trouble with sleeping, dry and itchy skin, muscle cramps at night, going to the bathroom more often at night, swollen feet and ankles, and puffiness around eyes, especially in the morning.
Treatments offered at PKLIRC
PKLI&RC puts great emphasis on identificat
ion of risk factors leading to progress
ion of CKD and interventions against them. Some major risk factors include diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia (cholesterol and lipid-related problems), excessive protein intake and excessive salt intake. The institute aims to properly control diabetes (fasting glucose in 90-130 range and random
blood glucose of less than 180) and high
blood pressure (keeping it below 130/80), and manage lipid/cholesterol levels (target LDL of less than 100, triglycerides less than 150) through a low protein and low salt diet. This preventive approach helps to avoid dialysis and kidney transplantation in many pa
tients with CKD. For pa
tients with renal failure, PKLI&RC offers maintenance dialysis program and kidney transplantation. Proper control of calcium, phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone and 25 hydroxyvitamin D levels in pa
tients with CKD is very crucial to prevent and delay the progress
ion of CKD. Avoiding
blood transfusion an
d using erythropoietin and iron injections to keep haemoglobin level between 10 and 11 is extremely important in pa
tients with progressive/CKD. Vaccinat
ion of all pa
tients with CKD against hepatitis B is also of utmost importance in a preventive nephrology programme.