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The incidence of kidney disease has been steadily rising. According to studies, young people are being affected more than ever, which raises a huge concern among global kidney communities. In our efforts to take corrective steps to check prevalence of the disease, KWF decided to focus work around ‘Preventive Measures’ in 2021. We conducted a Patient Advocacy Webinar on high salt, sugar and fat content in Ultra Processed Foods. 

In March 2023, we explored a new approach to address this mammoth disease that has shaken many homes with a CKD patient. The country needs to plan better to handle this public health concern, and the world needs to respond to the ‘call of the hour”.

Why are Preventive Measures growing in significance?

We gathered alarming information from authentic research studies, and together with our personal experiences with CKD, we worked with best considered decision.

Chronic Kidney Disease data:

“CKD is increasing in prevalence – and at an alarming rate. CKD deaths increased by 41.5% from 1990 to 2020, rising from the 17th leading cause of death to the 10th. Now, it is expected that CKD will climb to the fifth leading cause of death globally by the year 2040.”

https://ncdalliance.org/why-ncds/ncds/chronic-kidney-disease

Hypertension:

  • Of the estimated 220 million people in India living with hypertension, only 12% have their blood pressure under control

https://www.who.int/india/news/detail/02-06-2022-india-hypertension-control-initiative–a-high-impact-and-low-cost-solution

Diabetes:

The burden of diabetes is high and increasing globally, and, in developing economies like India, is mainly fuelled by the increasing prevalence of obesity and unhealthy lifestyles. The available data in 2019 showed that 77 million individuals had diabetes in India, which is estimated to rise to over 134 million by 2045.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8725109/

Initiatives for Prevention of CKD

Screening for Prevention:

Recognising the need, we planned a “CME” – Continuing Medical Education for knowledge sharing and developing strategies to stop spread of CKD through timely intervention. This CME will involve diabetologists, cardiologists, ophthalmologists, general physicians and gynaecologists to be part of the convention.

The conference will highlight signs, symptoms for chronic kidney disease that emerge from hypertension, diabetes, eyesight issues, different stages of pregnancy, and understand acute kidney disease due to protein supplements, excessive drugs and strong medications.

Screening for checking if people are “at risk”: 

  • Blood pressure
  • Blood sugar
  • Urine dipstick to check presence of protein

Specific areas of focus while engaging with people in the diabetic and hypertension community, to understand if they are at risk: 

  • Awareness of family history of hypertension/ diabetes
  • “Know your numbers” for blood pressure and blood sugar
  • How well are the parameters managed?
  • Early attention through medical intervention for kidney function tests, protein in urine and scans
  • Compulsory annual testing

Tests suggested for monitoring health & and to protect against CKD

  • Blood Pressure
  • HbA1c test—a simple blood test that measures average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months
  • Urine test for protein and sugar levels
  • Kidney Function tests – every 6 months for people with high BP and Blood sugar levels

When our caregiver warrior, Virendra Singhal showed immense generosity in his moment of grief.

Mayank Singhal was diagnosed with CKD as a result of Alport Syndrome at a young age, when he was happy and carefree, and full of dreams for a bright future and a career. The diagnosis and treatment that followed put an end to his dreams and hopes. Mayank had to start peritoneal dialysis in July 2015, eight years after his diagnosis. This was the best option when facilities for hemodialysis were limited in the hilly region in Dehradun where he lived, and when initial attempts by doctors to create a fistula for him failed.

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Online Yoga classes conducted by our caregiver member Saurabh Agrawal

For people with CKD, physical activity is imperative in order to overcome the manifold side effects of dialysis and medications. Although walking is considered the best form of exercise, it can be supported by other forms for better outcomes. Yoga is one such form that can be practiced by people of all age groups for greater flexibility, better muscle strength, improved bone strength, increased blood flow, improved heart rate, and control of blood pressure and blood sugar. It also helps in relaxation which, in effect, improves sleep.  Responding to the need expressed by several members of KWF to include meditation and relaxation as part of a patient’s routine, Saurabh Agrawal, a certified yoga instructor, volunteered to conduct yoga sessions for the members.

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The coronavirus raised its hood in advanced countries in Europe and the United States of America sometime in December 2019. In early March, when travel restrictions were being applied, foreseeing problems in supply of imported medicines and consumables, KWF took a preemptive step to warn patients to stock medicines. 

When the Government promoted social distancing, dialysis patients found few city autos on the streets. KWF’s Sejal Jobanputra’s tweets caught media’s attention with Hindustan Times carrying a story on 23rd March with interviews of affected patients. By 24th March, complaints came from other parts of India of patients unable to reach their dialysis centers. The police were strictly following orders, immobilizing patients who needed emergency treatments.

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