Tullamore Hospital Renal Team ask the public: Are your kidneys OK?

WORLD Kidney Day is today Thursday the 13th March 2025. The Renal team in the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore (MRHT) aim to raise awareness today with the public and staff of the hospital about their kidney health. The theme for this year’s event is, Are your kidneys OK? Detect early, protect kidney health.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is estimated to affect approximately 850 million people worldwide. If left undetected and not treated timely, CKD can progress to kidney failure, leading to severe complications and premature mortality. By 2040, CKD is projected to become the 5th leading cause of years of life lost highlighting the urgent need for global strategies to combat kidney disease.

Due to its silent nature, the diagnosis of CKD is often delayed or unexpected and leaves the patient vulnerable to other medical complications. Kidney disease is easily detected however with a blood and urine test and can be treated, particularly if found early. Those at higher risk for kidney disease include individuals with diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity or a family history of kidney disease. Your doctor can advise you on how to control CKD with interventions that include early check-ups, blood pressure monitoring and blood sugar control as well as management of associated diseases such as heart disease.

Sani George, Advanced Nurse Practitioner in CKD in the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore said, “Our event in MRHT today is a largely interactive day with various members of the renal team available to provide information to staff and the public with knowledge on how best to protect their kidneys. World Kidney Day encourages everyone worldwide to not only be aware of the disease but to actively get involved in their health and wellbeing.”

What can you do to protect your kidneys?

Avoiding medications known to damage the kidney such as certain painkillers (known as NSAIDS - Ibuprofen, naproxen diclofenac etc.)

Know your blood pressure and blood sugar, diabetes and hypertension are the leading causes of kidney disease. Contact your doctor for treatment of cardiovascular, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Check your urine for protein, a simple urine test when you see your doctor. Protein in your urine is a very important marker for kidney disease development and progression. You may need medication to treat this.

Kidney disease risk factors can be modified with lifestyle changes. Eating a healthy diet and being fit and active can help to maintain an ideal body weight, reduce your blood pressure, and prevent diabetes, heart disease and other conditions associated with CKD.

Don’t smoke- Smoking slows the flow of blood to the kidneys. When less blood reaches the kidneys, it can decrease their ability to function normally. Smoking also increases the risk of kidney cancer by about 50 per cent.

Are your kidneys OK? Detect early, protect kidney health. Take this World Kidney Day quiz to get started today!

www.worldkidneyday.org/kidney-quiz/