The number of cases of CKD or chronic kidney disease in the state of Kerala is growing at an alarming rate. Inspite of Kerala being a state having the highest literacy rate and also one with state of the art medical facilities, the number of cases of chronic kidney disease is rising rapidly. The main reasons that are cited for this rise is the increase in the number of cases of hypertension (which affects the kidneys) , mismanagement of diabetes and also the indiscriminate use of drugs (Ayurvedic drugs included).The State is now forced to take steps to bring the situation under control by making extra efforts to educate the common man as well as taking serious measures to keep the causes under control.

The repercussions of taking this matter lightly can be fatal as the treatment for chronic kidney disease is very expensive making it unaffordable to the common man thus, adding to the complications of the already existing problem. It is essential that the public be educated regarding the consequences of ignoring or taking diabetes lightly and the long lasting damage that it can do to the patient both physically, emotionally and financially.
One has to be extremely careful and go in for investigations from time to time as the symptoms of chronic kidney disease emerge only after about 70% of the kidney is affected leaving very little scope for any kind of effective treatment. The World Kidney Day declared in the year 2006 jointly by the International Federation of Kidney foundations and the International Society of Nephrology( falling on the second Thursday of March), must be taken as an opportunity by the State and also by each one of us to take some positive steps in the right direction so as to make a marked difference to improve the present scenario.

via: Hindu

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