OUR kidneys are vital to the body’s waste-management process, but all too often we take them for granted, a fact highlighted in statistics showing about 1.7 million Australians aged 18 years and over, or 10 per cent, have indicators of chronic kidney disease. Alarmingly, less than 10 per cent are aware they have the condition.

Chronic kidney disease is a growing public health issue and about one in three Australians has an increased risk of developing this disease. The problem is compounded by the growing ageing population, with more than 40 per cent of people over the age of 75 having an indicator of the disease.
Chronic kidney disease is called a “silent disease” as often there are no warning signs and it is not uncommon for people to lose up to 90 per cent of their kidney function before any symptoms are apparent.
Our kidneys are very sophisticated and efficient waste disposal systems that sort the body’s waste, 24/7, while also cleaning our blood.
We are born with two kidneys, each one about the size of an adult fist, bean-shaped and weighing about 150 grams. They are located at both sides of the backbone, just under the rib cage or above the small of the back, and are protected by a large padding of fat, the lower ribs and several muscles.
Our blood supply circulates through the kidneys about 12 times every hour. Each day our kidneys process about 200 litres of blood. The kidneys make urine from excess fluid and unwanted chemicals or waste in our blood.
There are compelling reasons to look after our kidney health, not least of which is that people with chronic kidney disease have a two to three-fold greater risk of cardiac death than people without the disease. While the mortality associated with many chronic diseases including some cancers is stable and even declining, kidney disease is rapidly escalating, killing two Australians every hour.
If chronic kidney disease is detected early and managed appropriately, the otherwise inevitable deterioration in kidney function can be reduced by as much as 50 per cent and may even be reversible so it is important to be alert for symptoms. These can include high blood pressure, changes in the amount and number of times urine is passed, changes in the appearance of urine, blood in urine, puffiness in legs, ankles or around the eyes, tiredness and nausea, to name a few.
Kidney failure can happen quickly (acute kidney failure) and at times can be caused by a sudden loss of large amounts of blood or as a result of an accident. However, more often kidney function worsens over a number of years.
So how do we look after our kidneys? Kidney Health Australia (www.kidney.org.au) has some key recommendations which include:
• Get your blood pressure checked regularly and make sure it stays below the levels recommended by your doctor.
• If you have diabetes make sure you monitor your blood glucose levels and stay within your targets.
• Lead an active, healthy lifestyle and maintain a healthy weight.
• If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do, quit!
• Eat wisely as it is important to maintain a healthy weight for your height.
• Exercise regularly.
• Reduce alcohol.
• Drink water.
Your community pharmacy can advise and counsel you on a range of lifestyle changes that may help you in trying to keep your kidneys healthy. The staff at the pharmacy can also advise you on any medicines you are taking for your kidneys and discuss how they work, any possible interactions and answer any other questions you may have about the medicines and the disease.
Kidney Health Week will be held from May 22 to May 28 with a wide range of activities being held across the nation to promote the message of prevention, detection and support.

George Tambassis is national president of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia