A Beautiful presentation about the importance of your kidneys. How to protect them, How to know impending disorders before hand and keeping your self in good spirits.

1. What you need to know about…………….
Kidney Failure / Renal Failure
03/23/11 By Occupational Health Team

2. The Facts About Kidney Disease
Kidney disease is one of the costliest illnesses in the U.S. today.
Each year, more than 50,000 Americans die because of Kidney
Disease.
More than 260,000 Americans suffer from chronic renal failure
and need dialysis or kidney transplantation to stay alive.
More than 35,000 patients are waiting for kidney transplants, but only
about 11,000 will receive transplants because of a shortage of suitable
organ donors.
Every year 2200 new cases of Malaysians are diagnosed with end stage
renal failure. There are over 1800 people waiting for a kidney transplant
in Malaysia, the numbers are increasing each year. …… This number is
frightening……
03/23/11 By Occupational Health Team

3. Kidneys : What are they?
Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs near the
middle of your back. Their main function is to eliminate
excess fluid and waste material from your blood.
03/23/11 By Occupational Health Team

4. How do your kidneys function?
Your kidneys do some important jobs to keep your body healthy:
 Balance your body fluids. Excess fluid is filtered out as urine.
 Remove waste products from your blood.
 Remove drugs and toxins from your body.
 Release hormones into your blood to :
- Control blood pressure
- Make red blood cells
- Keep your bones healthy.
03/23/11 By Occupational Health Team

5. What are kidney diseases?
Kidney diseases are diseases of the kidney substance that alter the structure and
function of the kidney.
There are many diseases of the kidneys such as glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis &
polycystic kidney.The treatment and potential for recovery depends on the type of
disease. Kidney diseases can lead to kidney failure.
Normal Kidneys Polycystic kidneys
Healthy kidneys eliminate waste from the blood & Fluid filled sacs, called cysts, characterize autosomal
maintain the body’s normal chemical balance. Dominant polycystic kidney disease.
03/23/11 By Occupational Health Team

6. What is kidney failure ?
 Kidney failure is a condition where the kidneys are incapable of performing its
normal function. Certain toxic substances which should have been excreted such
as urea and creatinine are accumulated in the body.
 The two main causes of kidney failure are Diabetes & High Blood Pressure.
Many other conditions can harm the kidneys. These include :
 Glomerulonephritis, a disease that causes inflammation in the kidneys.
 Inherited diseases like polycystic kidney disease, which causes many cysts to
form in the kidneys.
 IgA nephropathy or other nephropathy. Essentially an autoimmune problem.
Exact trigger not well known.
 Very large, long standing kidney stone.
 NSAID or pain killer like ponstan, voltaren can cause kidney failure.
03/23/11 By Occupational Health Team

7. Who is at Risk ?
Risk factors for chronic kidney disease include :
 Diabetes
 High blood pressure
 A family history of chronic kidney disease
 Older age
 Drug overdose, excessive use of alcohol
 Long term use of pain medications such as aspirin, panadol, ibuprofen
and treatment with antibiotic.
03/23/11 By Occupational Health Team

8. How to early detect kidney ailments?
3. Blood in urine. Most often not visible. But sometimes may appear
tea color urine.
4. Protein in urine, low urine output.
5. Swelling of face and legs
6. Tiredness, fatigue
7. Pale and sallow complexion
8. Have dry and itchy skin
9. Poor appetite, sometimes accompanied with nausea and vomiting
10. High blood pressure. Especially when it is hard to bring it to good
control.
03/23/11 By Occupational Health Team

9. How do you prevent kidney failure?
Early detection can do a lot in preventing deterioration of the kidney function.
Kidney failure does not go down the drain in 3 months, or even one year usually.
But deteriorate very slowly. Thus getting screening helps.
What are the screening test done?
8. Simple testing of urine with dipstick for protein. If you have 2 positive
result over several weeks, please consult Dr.
11. Have a blood test for creatinine. Once creatinine exit the high control limit
of 133 umol/L, the kidney will fail expodentially.
14. 24 hours urine collection for creatinine and urine protein.
16. Ultra sound or CT scan of kidney.
03/23/11 By Occupational Health Team

10. Important message:
Since 30 – 40 % of kidney failure in Malaysia is due to diabetes, it is
imprerative that all diabetics take note of this and screen for this complication
annually.
There is an extra urine test called urine microalbumin, to detect extra early
diabetic kidney disease. Good diabetes control is important part of
prevention
of kidney failure.
What happens if kidney failure occurs?
( End Stage Renal Disease )
 Two successful treatment can be done – Dialysis or a Kidney Transplant.
 These treatments can help you stay healthy and continue your daily activities.
03/23/11 By Occupational Health Team

11. Dialysis and Kidney Transplant – what are they ?
 Dialysis is a type of treatment that removes wastes and excess fluid from your
blood. 3 forms of dialysis can be done – hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and
continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis ( CAPD ).
You need dialysis when you develop
End stage renal disease – usually by the
time you lose about 85 – 90% of your
Kidney function.
 A kidney transplant is an operation to place a new kidney in your body to take
over the work of your failed kidneys.
 The kidney may come from someone who has died or from a living donor who
may be a close relatives, friend or possibly a stranger who wished to donate a
kidney to anyone in need of a transplant.
03/23/11 By Occupational Health Team

12. How do you keep your kidneys healthy and more
resistant to deterioration?
3. Hydrate yourself well. Drink lots of plain water to keep your urine pale most of
the time.
2. Avoid unnecessary medication ( esp NSAID and on long term ). Look for
better alternative solution.
3. Avoid overloading your kidney with protein. Most of us only need about 2
ounces of protein a day! Protein leakage thru the kidney filter accelerate the
deterioration of kidney function. Consult a renal dietitian if you need help.
10. Keep your cholesterol in good level.
5. Keep blood pressure and sugar in good control.
03/23/11 By Occupational Health Team

13. What else you can do ?
Keep yourself in your best health by practicing all known health habits, ie :
3. Good diet, pay special attention to salt intake ( better use sea salt due
to its wider range of mineral profile ) and protein intake.
4. Handle life stress well
5. Regular exercise
6. Adequate rest/sleep.
This article is not meant to diagnose nor treat your disease. It is only for general
information. You should seek a face to face consultation with a qualified medical
practitioner for a proper assessment and treatment plan.
HEALTH IS WEALTH
03/23/11 By Occupational Health Team

14. Regards,
P.Prakash…
03/23/11 By Occupational Health Team