Chronic Kidney Disease, or CKD, continues to be a significant health burden in Australia. As mentioned in an earlier blog, CKD is a very common and silent condition. With one in ten Australians 18 years old or older showing evidence of CKD development, 90% of this population are not aware that they have CKD as it is characteristically a symptom-free condition. CKD leads to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) which is generally treated through dialysis or kidney transplants. The health care financial burden of ESKD treatment equates to roughly one billion dollars a year in Australia.
However, the mortality risk lies within the heightened likelihood of a cardiovascular event like a stroke or a heart attack rather than renal failure. Evidence shows that the primary causes of CKD in Australia are diabetes, inflammation of the kidneys and high blood pressure. In this light, the progression of CKD is highly preventable when risk factors and lifestyle changes are managed early. These may include changes such as maintaining healthy cholesterol, blood glucose and BMI; limiting alcohol intake; cessation of smoking; regular exercise; or stress management.
My Rehab Team is a multidisciplinary service that can offer friendly dieticians or physiotherapists to assist you with these lifestyle changes. If you would like to learn more, please contact us on 1300MYREHAB (1300 469 734) or info@myrehabteam.com.
REFERENCES:
http://thinkgp.com.au/video/chronic-kidney-disease-and-cardiovascular-risk-reduction
http://www.kidney.org.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=WfW5Z6H5Rt4%3d&tabid=846&mid=1962
http://www.kidney.org.au/KidneyDisease/Prevention/tabid/820/Default.aspx
(Accessed on 29th July, 2014)
Image courtesy of dream design @freedigitalphotos.net [Online] Available on http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Human_body_g281-Human_Kidney_p105090.html (Accessed 29th July, 2014)
