ILOILO City – Diseases of the kidney are sparing no one, according to the Department of Health (DOH). It advised the public to always keep their kidneys healthy.
The National Kidney Month (June) has just passed, but John Richard Lapascua, senior health program officer at DOH Region 6, encouraged the public to treat each day as “kidney day”.
Kidneys filter blood and remove wastes and extra fluid from the body. They also maintain overall fluid balance.
“Once ma-damage ang aton kidney, irreplaceable ina sia, except if we do transplant. Likawan gid naton nga ang aton kidney ma-damage,” Lapascua told Panay News.
How to take care of the kidneys?
The DOH-6 spelled out these measures:
* Go Sigla
According to Lapascua, Filipinos should remain active and fit, not only for physical appearance.
“Tandaan man naton nga if our body is physically active, the regulation of our blood will improve which could very well help sa aton kidneys,” Lapascua added.
* Controlled hypertension and diabetes
To achieve this, Lapascua said proper diet, exercise and maintenance medication are important.
“Kon may ara kita hypertension or diabetes, ensure nga control naton… kay ti kon uncontrolled ang hypertension or diabetes nagaresulta ‘ni sa pagtaas sang pressure… It can damage part of the kidneys,” he said.
* Maintain proper weight
The health officer added that people should learn how to balance weight in order not to get obese that may soon cause severe health problems.
“Samtang bata pa kag bisan nagatigulang na, let’s make sure we eat nutritious food,” Lapascua stressed.
* Drink plenty of fluid
For the kidneys to easily filter blood, Lapascua underscored the importance of being hydrated.
* Avoid smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages
* Drink or take medicine prescribed by doctors only
* Seek medical attention when doubtful
“Kon nagaduha-doha nga may ginabatyag nga malain, immediately consult your doctor,” he said. “Wala na sia sang early signs and symptoms nga ma-feel ang isa ka tawo nga ma-attribute sa kidney disease however naga-start sia sa gamay nga nerves nga nagaka-damage.”
By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, Lapascua said, one frees not only the kidneys but other parts of the body from diseases.
A 2019 data from the DOH-6 showed that the leading causes of chronic kidney diseases were complications brought by diabetes and hypertension.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) can be a contributor, too, but its percentage was much lower compared to the two, said Lapascua.
Hypertension and UTI belonged to 2019’s top 10 leading causes of morbidity in Western Visayas, he added.
Hypertension was ranked third with 29,331 cases, followed by UTI with 28,181.
Kidney diseases have also led to mortality. The DOH-6 recorded 2,203 deaths due to renal diseases in 2019./PN
