Causes of Kidney Failure

With adoption of western lifestyle and modern facilities are we heading towards life style disorders ? Is the comfort in our lives endangering our health? We have been able to increase the life expectancy but that bears certain costs. With a gross change in lifestyle and dietary habits there is an ever increasing incidence and prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension.

Few decades ago only urban population used to suffer with these, but the recent data suggests that rural population is also being affected.

In India too, diabetes and hypertension today account for 40–60% cases of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) i.e. permanent and irreversible damage to the kidneys. As per recent Indian Council of Medical Research data, prevalence of diabetes in Indian adult population has risen to 7.1%, (varying from 5.8% in Jharkhand to 13.5% in Chandigarh) and in urban population (over the age of 40 years) the prevalence is as high as 28%. Likewise the reported prevalence of hypertension in the adult population today is 17% (14.8% from rural and 21.4% from urban belt). A similar prevalence of 17.4% has been reported (in the age group of 20–59 years) even from slum-resettlement colony of Delhi.

Diabetes and Hypertension – The 2 Most Prevelant Health Issues In India:

The two most important causes of kidney problems are Diabetes and Hypertension. Individuals with family history of kidney disease are at risk of developing kidney problems. Individuals whose parents had diabetes and kidney failure are at highest risk of developing kidney failure.

It is just not diabetes and hypertension which gives rise to CKD. Individuals who have become habitual of taking painkillers form another group. There diseases like Polycystic Kidney Disease runs in family.

Recurrent Urinary tract infections involving kidneys is another reason. Patients with severe atherosclerosis and heart problem are at risk of CKD. Certain indigenous medications contain heavy metals which are toxic to the kidneys. Glomerulonephritis (inflammation in the kidneys) is also an important cause of CKD.

Hence it is recommended that individuals who have diabetes, hypertension, long term painkiller intake, family history of kidney disease, recurrent urinary tract infections, obese should have once yearly screening for kidney ailment.