Kidneys are a silent but important organ of your body that perform vital functions. These purify your blood, flushing out toxins, excess water and harmful substances. They also help control blood pressure, maintain mineral balance and produce red blood cells. When the kidneys become weak and do not function properly, impurities and toxins start accumulating in the body. This condition is called chronic kidney disease (CKD).
This disease is also called the “silent killer” because it often causes no symptoms for many years, yet it continues to harm health. People all over the world are suffering from this disease, and the number of Indians among them is increasing day by day. We are not saying this just like that. A new study published in The Lancet has made a shocking revelation. In fact, India has the second highest number of CKD patients in the world. This report has left doctors and health experts extremely worried, as this is a growing problem that needs early detection.
13.8 crore cases of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in India
Nearly 13.8 crore people in India are now suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a new report by the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). This number is the second highest in the world after China, where 15.2 crore cases have been reported. This clearly shows that China is at the top of the list.
The study examined kidney health data from 204 countries between 1990 and 2023. This revealed that CKD has now become the ninth leading cause of death worldwide. In 2023 alone, the disease caused 15 lakh deaths, of which more than 1,20,000 were in India. The report also said that kidney disease has increased by 3.5% worldwide in the last few years. This clearly shows that CKD has become a slowly progressive, dangerous disease that is often diagnosed late and can even lead to death.
What is chronic kidney disease?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) means that your kidneys gradually lose function and are no longer able to clean the blood as well as before. This disease progresses slowly, so its symptoms are mild or nonexistent in the beginning. By the time symptoms appear, the disease has become quite serious.
common symptoms
People often experience fatigue, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, swollen feet and ankles, muscle pain, insomnia, changes in urination, itching of the skin, and persistent high blood pressure. Sometimes, fluid accumulation in the lungs can cause shortness of breath and chest pain.
Main causes of CKD
Sugar (Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes)
high blood pressure (high bp)
Kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis)
polycystic kidney disease
Prolonged urinary retention (due to stones or enlarged prostate)
frequent kidney infections
certain genetic factors
What increases the risk of CKD?
Smoking, obesity, aging, kidney disease, family history of heart disease, or long-term use of medications that damage the kidneys increase the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
What will happen if Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is not controlled in time?
If the disease progresses and is not treated, it can lead to serious problems such as heart disease, anemia, weak bones, weakened immunity, neurological problems, pregnancy complications and ultimately kidney failure. Kidney failure may require dialysis or a kidney transplant. Although this disease progresses slowly, it can be controlled to a great extent with timely checkup and proper care.
What does the Lancet study show?
The Lancet report shows that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing rapidly around the world, especially in areas where people do not have easy access to quality healthcare. According to the report, the rate of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in India has reached 16%, which is slightly higher than the global average of 14.2%. This rate is even higher in some countries like Iran (22.7%) and Haiti (22.1%). Its greatest impact is seen in North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, where CKD rates are approximately 18% and 16% respectively. Researchers say CKD is spreading rapidly around the world and is having a profound impact on people’s health, yet it has received little attention from governments and policy makers. Therefore, more efforts are needed to identify and prevent it in time.
close connection with heart disease
Studies have also shown that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is closely linked to heart disease. CKD causes 12% of cardiovascular deaths worldwide. Although there are many causes of cardiovascular deaths, surprisingly, chronic kidney disease (CKD) has now emerged as the seventh leading cause of death. This means that heart disease is not caused solely by diabetes, obesity or high blood pressure; CKD is becoming an even bigger cause than these. The kidneys gradually deteriorate, toxins accumulate in the body, and this puts a lot of strain on the heart. This increases the risk of heart disease and related deaths.
What are the main reasons?
diabetes
high blood pressure
obesity
low intake of fruits and vegetables
excessive salt intake
Another concern in India is that people are now eating more processed and packaged foods. These foods are often high in salt, sugar and preservatives, which have negative effects on both the kidneys and heart.
What do experts say?
Dr. Bharat Shah, Director of the Department of Nephrology at Gleneagles Hospital, Mumbai, says that the increasing cases of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in India is very worrying. He says diabetes and high blood pressure, which are very common in India, are the biggest causes of kidney failure. Additionally, increased consumption of junk food, obesity and processed foods is worsening the condition, as these foods are high in salt, which increases blood pressure and puts pressure on the kidneys. Dr. Shah says that awareness about healthy eating is still low in India. He believes that dialysis programs are necessary, but the country should focus more on prevention than treatment. He says clearly, “We detect kidney disease very late. Prevention of the disease is more important than treatment.”
He stressed that the government, the food industry and the public have to work together. Better food labeling, increased physical activity, and increased awareness of kidney-healthy habits are important to reduce the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the future.
