Preventing kidney diseases-----

We all have two kidneys. The main job of these two organs is to clean our blood. Our kidneys process around 200 litres of blood every day and excrete metabolic waste products through urine. In addition, kidneys also help us control our fluid, salt and acid-base balance, and blood pressure as well as strengthen bone and maintain hemoglobin level. When kidneys' functions deteriorate, we call it kidney failure, which can be life-threatening.

One in every seven people in Bangladesh has been suffering from kidney diseases and 40,000 die of long-time kidney failures annually, according to a recent study. And about 20 million people are now somehow suffering from kidney ailments. Lack of awareness among the people is also responsible for increasing the number of kidney patients in the country although kidney diseases are preventable.

Prevention can be of two types -- primary prevention and secondary prevention. Primary prevention means staying away from smoking, lazy lifestyle obesity, adulterated food and unhealthy eating habits that intensify risks of kidney diseases. And, secondary prevention means early diagnosis and treatment of a condition where one should control one's diabetes and hypertension. Apart from raising awareness among people, facilities for kidney treatment should be increased across the country. In Dhaka city, it is important to have a good number of kidney dialysis centres. And introducing 'Kidney Protection Insurance' under universal health coverage can also ensure kidney health for all.

Ashikujaman Syed,

Research Assistant, Bioinformatics Research Lab, Center for Research Innovation and Development (CRID),

syedashikujaman@gmail.com