Kidney diseases which are silent killers have no symptoms until they reach kidney failure.Kidney diseases affect around 600 million people worldwide – approximately one in ten people. Kidney diseases which are silent killers have no symptoms until they reach kidney failure. It is then too late for treatment and the only way to stay alive is lifetime dialysis - or transplantation, for the lucky few who manage to find a donor. Sadly, dialysis is often not an option in the developing world, where it is too expensive, water is scarce or machines are unavailable.
This year, World Kidney Day focuses on Diabetes, which is the leading cause of kidney diseases worldwide. Hypertension, obesity and pollution are also major causes of kidney damage. While it is commonly known that lifestyle changes of the past decades have lead to an increase in diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, too many people still ignore that the conditions have generated this outburst of kidney disorders.
Kidney diseases which are silent killers have no symptoms until they reach kidney failure
World Kidney Day is also a good opportunity to remind governments that the pandemic weighs heavily on all countries’ healthcare budgets and that it is crucial to take action to facilitate early detection and encourage healthy lifestyles.
The figures speak for themselves:
According to the WHO, China and India will have about 130 million diabetics by 2025 who will consume about 40% of their country’s healthcare budget in addition to reducing productivity and hindering economic growth.
30% of the predicted US$1.1 trillion medical costs of dialysis world-wide during this decade will result from diabetic nephropathy.
In 2009, the fourth World Kidney Day was a formidable success with 370 different events taking place in over 100 countries and territories across 6 continents. The support of celebrities like Tom Hanks and Johnny Depp has brought great worldwide recognition and strength to the campaign.
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