Say ‘Yes’ to exercise, support your kidneys.

 

Introduction:

The ninth of March is World Kidney Day, and March is National Kidney Month. The goal of World Kidney Day is to increase public awareness of the value of healthy kidneys and to lessen the incidence and effects of renal disease and related health issues globally.

The goal of World Kidney Day is to increase public awareness of the value of healthy kidneys and to lessen the incidence and effects of renal disease and the related health issues around the world. Every second Thursday in March is World Kidney Day. World Kidney Day was established in 2006 and has continued to expand ever since. It is an international movement to increase awareness of the significance of our kidneys to our general health. The campaign emphasizes a distinct topic each year.

Kidney Health for All: World Kidney Day 2023, the significant impact of catastrophic events, whether local (earthquake, flood, war, extreme weather) or global (the COVID-19 pandemic), affects the functioning and living conditions of the community as a whole, resulting in one or more of the following outcomes: human, material, economic, and environmental losses and impacts. Those with chronic diseases, of which kidney patients make up more than 850 million people globally, are particularly impacted by these interruptions since it becomes much more difficult for them to receive appropriate diagnostic services, therapies, and care.

Many hormones that are vital to the body's normal operation are secreted by the kidneys. Renin is one such hormone that regulates blood pressure. Renin is a hormone that the kidneys secrete when blood pressure drops in order to tighten the tiny blood vessels and raise blood pressure.

A collection of laboratory tests known as kidney function tests are used to assess kidney health and identify renal disorders. The kidneys, two tiny bean-shaped organs in the abdomen, are crucial for removing waste materials and extra fluid from the circulation. Waste products can accumulate in the blood when the kidneys are not working properly, which can cause a number of issues. To detect and track kidney issues, kidney function tests are crucial.

A range of kidney function tests, including the following, may be ordered by doctors:

1.      The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test determines how much nitrogen, a waste product of urea, is present in the blood. As a consequence of protein metabolism, the liver creates urea, which is then eliminated from the body by the kidneys. Urea can build up in the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly, which raises the BUN level.

2.      Test for serum creatinine: Kidneys filter the waste product creatinine, which is created by muscles, out of the blood. A serum creatinine test determines the amount of creatinine present in the blood and is a reliable way to assess how effectively the kidneys are working. Creatinine can build up in the blood when the kidneys are not working properly, which raises the serum creatinine level.

3.      The test to measure glomerular filtration rate (GFR) The GFR test provides a more accurate diagnostic of renal function than the serum creatinine and BUN assays. The GFR determines how much blood passes through the minute-sized glomeruli in the kidneys. Decreased GFR values indicate that the kidneys are not functioning as effectively as they need to.

4.      Urinalysis: This test looks for the presence of blood, protein, glucose, and other compounds in a urine sample. Protein in the urine (proteinuria) and glucose in the urine can both be indicators of kidney disease, which in turn can result in kidney damage.

5.      Imaging studies: Imaging tests such an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI may be prescribed to look for damage or abnormalities in the kidneys and their surrounding structures. The diagnosis and treatment of kidney illnesses depend heavily on the results of kidney function testing. Doctors can use the tests to track the development of the disease, determine the root cause of kidney issues, and evaluate the efficacy of treatment.

 Kidney function tests can be used to diagnose a variety of renal conditions, including the following:

1.      Chronic kidney disease (CKD): CKD is a condition that worsens over time and causes the kidneys to gradually stop functioning. The tests for BUN, serum creatinine, and GFR are used to identify and track CKD.

2.      Acute kidney injury (AKI): commonly referred to as acute renal failure (ARF), is an episode of kidney failure or damage that occurs suddenly and lasts for a few hours or days. AKI hinders your kidneys' ability to maintain the proper fluid balance in your body by causing a buildup of waste products in your blood. The brain, heart, and lungs are a few additional organs that might be impacted by AKI.

 3. Acute kiney disease (AKD): By definition, AKD comes before CKD, but AKD can also be added to CKD that has already developed as a result of another illness or as a result of the same illness exacerbating itself. AKI is a subtype of AKD characterised by irregularities in kidney function lasting six to seven days. AKI can develop either before or after AKD manifests itself.