The Ministry of Health (MOH) has observed the World Kidney Day, held this year under the theme "Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Aging". It is celebrated on the thirteenth of March of each year.
Meanwhile, the Assistant Deputy Minister for Hospitals Affairs, Dr. Aqeel bin Jam'aan Al-Ghamdi affirmed that the total number of patients conducting dialysis in 20 regions and governorates and frequenting the MOH –related centers is 9792 ones, of which there are 493 patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis and 372 Hepatitis B patients. And there are 1797 hepatitis c patients and 48 cases of child-based hemodialysis. In a similar fashion, he pointed out that the MOH has drawn on world foreign companies to secure the dialysis services, with its two types: peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis included, for the old and young patients who receive the healthcare in the MOH dialysis centers and units. Dialysis serves as compensatory treatment for the patients suffering from the chronic kidney failure with high-quality therapeutic services.
In the meantime, a report released by the MOH National Center for the Health Media and Awareness underlined that the chronic kidney disease is defined as the gradual loss of the kidney functions. It is triggered when the kidney encounters severe harm, rendering it unable to filter the blood from the poisons and eliminate the waste as expected. As a result, the poisons gather in the body, leading to dire complications to the human health.
The report demonstrated that "the kidney functions involve filtering the blood out of the waste, eliminating the poisons out of the body, and draining surplus water in the body. It also plays role in regulating the excretion of some hormones. Similarly, it is difficult detecting the chronic kidney disease as it slowly evolves over months or years. Consequently, the afflicted person shows the disease symptoms only when does the disease reach progressive stages and noticeably impact the kidney functions. These symptoms include failure of the kidney functions and the decrease of the natural urination rate. Also, fluids begin to gather in the body tissues and the patient may experience fatigue, appetite loss, nausea, and insomnia.
As regards the most outstanding causes of the kidney disease, the report indicated that"among those causes are diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney inflammation, renal artery stenosis, use of some medicinesfor a long timeharming the kidney, kidney-related congenital defects, and kidney stones. The disease is diagnosed by conducting a blood test for identifying the creatinine and nitrogen level forming urea in the blood, urine test, imaging scan, CTscan, and kidney endoscopy."
As far as the complications resulting from developing the kidney disease, the report underlined that" the most outstanding complications are kidney failure disease requiring conducting dialysis or transplanting a new kidney, high blood pressure, cardiac diseases, anemia, osteoporosis, fluid gathering in the blood leading to the leg and food swelling, and a high potassium level in the body affecting the functions of the heart."
Even more, it is recommended preventing from the danger of developing the kidney failure disease, diabetics controlling the blood sugar levels, keeping the blood pressure low, exercising regularly, visiting the doctor's office at a regular pace, conducting kidney tests especially those with a family history of the disease, and quit smoking.
In meantime, the Manager of the National Center for the Health Media and Awareness, the pharmacist Am'al bint Mu'awiah Abu Al-Jadayel remarked that the work team in the Center are fully ready to receive any inquiries or questions on the kidney disease and other diseases throughout the days of the week and during the official work time. In addition to this, a self-contained work team works on tackling all the health questions and problems sent to the MOH Twitter account SAUDIMOG@. She further emphasized that a host of brochures, posters, and roll-ups on the chronic kidney disease were prepared, and they were distributed to the entire health affairs directorates throughout the Kingdom's regions; to benefit from them in terms of marking this Day.