Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects 1 in 10 people in the whole population. Often described as ‘a silent illness hiding in plain sight’, it usually develops slowly over time and can progress to total kidney failure. It is estimated that CKD will become the fifth leading cause of death globally by 2040. Over 500 people in Ireland develop kidney failure every year.
World Kidney Day which will be celebrated on 10th March 2022 aims to bridge the knowledge gap to better kidney care. To mark World Kidney Day, the Irish Kidney Association (IKA), in association with the HSE’s National Renal Office (NRO) and Diabetes Ireland is running an awareness campaign to highlight the importance of screening for early detection of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
Diabetes Ireland welcomes the opportunity to join with the Irish Kidney Association to share this important messaging in their – Check Know Discuss campaign to highlight the need for people living with Diabetes to be aware of their kidney health as Diabetes is one of the leading causes of Chronic Kidney Disease worldwide.
Chronic Kidney Disease is a condition that has the potential to go undetected as it does not cause symptoms in the early stages. It is a condition that can be screened for by getting urine and blood tests to monitor kidney function. These simple urine and blood tests are a routine part of Diabetes care with your GP/diabetes team.
To help prevent chronic kidney disease, Diabetes Ireland is urging all people living with diabetes to attend for your routine diabetes check-ups with your GP or diabetes team, have your kidney function Checked by getting routine urine and blood tests done, Know the results of these tests and Discuss your kidney health with your doctor/diabetes team to ensure you are doing all you can to protect your kidneys now and into the future. Check, Know, Discuss.
Early detection is vital
Routine screening, early detection, and treatment of kidney disease can prevent further kidney function decline. If any decline in your kidney function is detected, your GP or diabetes team will work with you to help manage your blood glucose and blood pressure to help protect your kidneys and prevent any further decline. The doctor may need to review your medication, order additional tests or refer you to a kidney specialist (Nephrologist) for further assessment and monitoring of your kidneys.
Top tips to help reduce your risk of chronic kidney disease
- Eat a healthy balanced diet
- Aim to achieve a healthy weight or waistline
- Aim for regular physical activity
- Don’t smoke
- Monitor your glucose levels at home as advised and seek support from your diabetes team if they are consistently outside target range.
- Attend routine checks ups with your GP or diabetes team to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, HbA1c, kidney function urine, and blood tests, know the results and discuss them with your doctor or nurse to ensure you are taking every possible action to protect your kidneys now and into the future.
To learn more visit https://www.diabetes.ie/diabetes-and-kidney-disease/
For more information on kidney disease see – The Irish Kidney Association website on www.ika.ie
This campaign is sponsored in collaboration with AstraZeneca