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)
