National Kidney Month 2018

By virtue of Presidential Decree 184, signed by then President of the Republic of the Philippines and Rotary Club of Manila’s Fidel V. Ramos, the month of June is declared as National Kidney Month. This year’s celebration kicked off on June 4, 2018 at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI).

Your kidneys

You are born with two kidneys. Your kidneys are on the right and left side of your spine. They’re located just above your waist. You kidneys clean and filter your blood. They keep a balance of water and minerals, such as sodium, potassium, and phosphorous in your blood. They sift extra water out of your blood and remove waste from your blood after digestion, muscle activity, and exposure to chemicals (medications, as an example). They make renin, which helps your body in controlling your blood pressure. Your kidneys also help in red blood cell production. Your kidneys also aid your body in bone health.

What happens when your kidneys are damaged?

When your kidneys are damaged, waste products and fluids can build up in your body. Without treatment, the damage can get worse. Your kidneys may eventually stop working. This is called renal failure. Renal failure is a serious and life-threatening condition. Damaged kidneys result to weakness, vomiting, swollen ankles, and shortness of breath.

Chronic kidney disease

When your kidneys don’t work well for a period of over three months, doctors call it chronic kidney disease. In the early stages of chronic kidney disease, there may not be any symptom at all. The most common causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes mellitus, systemic lupus, and hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Infection in the kidneys

Infection within the kidneys is called pyelonephritis. This condition leads to scarring when the infection heals. Repeated infection of the kidneys can lead to kidney damage.

Drugs and toxins can cause kidney damage

Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen and naproxen, taken for long periods of time, can permanently damage your kidneys.

Genetic conditions

Inborn defects can affect the urinary tract and the kidneys. A urologist performs surgery to correct inborn kidney defects.