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Understanding, Preventing and Managing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) on World Kidney Day
By Dr. Wang Han (The 21st China Medical Team)
(Kaieteur News) – Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a persistent and progressive chronic illness, known as the “silent killer”—it has almost no obvious symptoms in the early stages, and kidney function gradually deteriorates unnoticed.
By the time obvious discomfort such as fatigue, swelling, or abnormal urination appears, the disease has often progressed to a moderate or advanced stage.
The kidneys are the body’s natural filters, mainly responsible for removing waste from the blood, regulating blood pressure, balancing electrolytes in the body, helping produce red blood cells, and maintaining bone health. When CKD occurs, the filtering function of the kidneys gradually declines, and waste accumulates in the body, leading to a series of complications such as high blood pressure, anemia, and fragile bones. In severe cases, it can lead to kidney failure, where patients must rely on dialysis or kidney transplantation to sustain life.
The occurrence of CKD is closely related to various factors. First, diabetes and hypertension are the main causes. These two diseases are relatively common in Guyana, and if not well controlled for a long time, they will continuously damage the kidneys. Secondly, excessive intake of high-salt foods, sugary drinks, and lack of a reasonable diet will increase the burden on the kidneys. In addition, some people have insufficient awareness of chronic diseases and ignore regular physical examinations, often discovering kidney problems only when severe symptoms appear, missing the best opportunity for intervention.
Preventing and managing CKD is not complicated for people, and early screening is the core key to achieving early detection and early intervention, which can effectively avoid the progression of the disease to an irreversible stage.
Specific measures can be divided into the following aspects:
- Emphasize great importance to early screening: It is recommended that all Guyanese people, especially high-risk groups, take regular early screening seriously. High-risk groups include patients with diabetes and hypertension, people with a family history of kidney disease, and those who often take drugs that may damage the kidneys. The core screening items include urine routine and kidney function tests, such as serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen tests and kidney ultrasound. These tests are simple to operate and can quickly detect subtle signs of early kidney damage, providing a basis for timely intervention.
- Develop a healthy diet habit: Maintain a low-salt and low-sugar diet in daily life, reduce the intake of processed foods, pickled foods and sugary drinks, which can effectively reduce the metabolic burden on the kidneys. At the same time, increase the intake of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, which are rich in vitamins and dietary fiber, helping to maintain the normal function of the kidneys and improve the body’s resistance.
- Strictly control basic diseases: For patients with diabetes and hypertension, which are the main causes of CKD, it is necessary to actively control blood sugar and blood pressure within the normal range. Adhere to the treatment plan prescribed by doctors, monitor blood sugar and blood pressure regularly.
- Insist on healthy living habits: Adhere to moderate physical exercise, such as walking, jogging and other gentle sports, which can promote blood circulation and help maintain the normal metabolic function of the body. Quit smoking and limit alcohol, because smoking and excessive drinking will damage the blood vessels of the kidneys. In addition, avoid the abuse of nephrotoxic drugs, and take any drugs under the guidance of doctors to prevent drug-induced kidney damage.
- Strengthen health awareness: Through the combination of regular early screening and scientific daily health management, it can effectively delay the deterioration of kidney function, protect kidney health, and reduce the burden on themselves and their families.
March 12, 2026, marks the 21st World Kidney Day. This year’s theme is “Kidney Health for All–Caring for People, Protecting the Planet”.
Early screening, early detection, timely intervention, safeguard kidney function. On World Kidney Day, let’s take action together!
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