BAGUIO CITY (PIA) - -  One  major health problem  today is Chronic Kidney Disease(CKD) that has  no cure and brings much burden to one’s life. But this is  highly preventable and can be controlled with early medical interventions.

Dr. Virginia Mangati of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center Kidney Transplant Unit, in a recent Kapihan  sa Baguio forum, said as she shared  information about  CKD  including   how to take care of the kidney.

Mangati outlined that CKD  is a  major global  health problem with over 840 million cases worldwide and increasing. In the Philippines,  CKD is the number  six cause of death or mortality with around  seven  million cases  as of 2021. It is projected that one Filipino every hour is at risk  of developing  CKD.

CKD is a silent killer as it shows no symptoms  especially in early stage. The top risk factors are  diabetes and hypertension,  followed by cardiovascular disease (heart ailments), obesity, smoking, old age and family history, she explained.

If  not  detected early, it could  lead to  loss of kidney function that  could progress  to  kidney failure that  needs regular dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant for the patient  to survive.

Mangati  shared   the  eight  golden rules to have healthy kidneys especially  to  those who have the risk factors  for CKD. 1. Control blood pressure,2. Control blood sugar, 3. Eat  healthy diet, 4. Exercise regularly, 5. Drink adequate water, 6. Avoid/stop smoking, 7. Don’t abuse pain relievers and supplements,  and 8. Have a regular checkup.

The DOH – CAR  sponsored kapihan   promoted  June health events that include National Kidney Month with the theme, “Bato ay Alagaan, Para Handa sa Kinabukasan.”

Other officials from the DOH – CAR and BGHMC   talked on Prostate Cancer Awareness, Safe Kids Week and gave updates on the COVID – 19 cases and vaccination status, Measles-Rubella and Oral Polio Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity   and regional epidemiology surveillance unit report. (JDP/CCD- PIA CAR)