Hypertension patients, diabetics vulnerable to kidney disease: Docs

Patients of diabetes and hypertension, time for a shocker. These two categories are the most vulnerable to chronic kidney disease.

Patients of diabetes and hypertension, time for a shocker. These two categories are the most vulnerable to chronic kidney disease.

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“Kidney disease strikes silently and there are two categories that are at risk: diabetics and hypertension patients,” says Dr S Bagai, nephrologist Batra Hospital.

Dr D. Bhowmik, nephrologist at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, agrees.

“50 per cent to 60 per cent of people with chronic kidney diseases suffer from hypertension and diabetes. They form the high risk group,” he says.

The second Thursday of every March is celebrated as World Kidney Day. “This year, our focus is on the correlation between diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease,” said Dr Bhowmik.

According to Indian Nephrology Society, there are 2,000,000 people with chronic kidney diseases in India. Of these, 900,000 require dialysis. Chronic kidney diseases show no symptoms till 80 per cent of the kidneys are damaged.

“In children, urine test should be done in case of fever, jaundice and rashes. In adults, regular urine tests are a must for people with diabetes and high blood pressure,” says Bagai.

People who have a healthy diet, go for annual check-ups, are non-smokers and drink plenty of water are much better off when it comes to chronic kidney disease.