File picture of the Corniche used for representation.
Doha: With one in ten Qatar residents believed to have some form of kidney disorder, an official from Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Nephrology Division says recognising World Kidney Day (WKD), observed annually is an important part of his team’s efforts to raise awareness of the importance of good kidney health.
WKD is observed on the second Thursday in March every year. The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs measuring approximately five inches long and located just below the ribs at either side of the spine. They remove waste products and excess fluid from the body. All of the blood in your body passes through the kidneys several times a day.
Chronic kidney disease, also called chronic kidney failure, is the gradual loss of kidney function over a period of months or years. It can be caused by a number of factors, ranging from diseases such as diabetes, or can be inherited (passed on from a parent).
Dr Hassan Al Malki, Head of HMC’s Nephrology Department
According to Dr Hassan Al Malki, Head of HMC’s Nephrology Department, there may be no signs or symptoms during the early stages of chronic kidney disease.
“It may not become apparent that a person has kidney disease until their kidney function is significantly impaired. Our kidneys are highly adaptable and able to compensate for lost function, so signs and symptoms may not appear until irreversible damage has occurred. Kidney disease can affect people of all ages and races and it is important that we use the oc-casion of World Kidney Day to educate members of the community about how important this vital organ is and what they can do to protect it,” said Dr Al Malki.
The signs and symptoms of kidney disease are often nonspecific, meaning they can also be caused by other illnesses or can be mistaken for other health conditions. Signs and symp-toms of kidney disease can include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, weakness, sleep problems, changes in how much you urinate, muscle twitches and cramps, swelling of feet and ankles, and high blood pressure (hypertension).
