A World Kidney Day screening drive offering creatinine and urine protein testing along with blood pressure and blood sugar checks. Chronic kidney disease is silent until a large share of function is lost, which makes screening the only way to find it early.
Diabetes and long-standing high blood pressure account for the majority of chronic kidney disease seen in this region, and both damage the kidney quietly. By the time swelling, tiredness or reduced urine output appear, a substantial amount of function has usually already gone and cannot be recovered.
The screening day offered a serum creatinine test with estimated GFR, a urine examination for protein, blood pressure measurement and a blood sugar check. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of kidney failure, or a history of repeated painkiller use were specifically encouraged to attend.
Counselling focused on the three habits that do the most avoidable damage. Long-term use of anti-inflammatory painkillers bought over the counter is the first. Unsupervised herbal and traditional preparations taken for kidney or joint complaints are the second. Repeated contrast scans without a check of kidney function are the third.
For those found to have early kidney disease, the message was that progression can be slowed substantially — often by years — through tight blood pressure and sugar control, salt restriction and kidney-protective medication. Early detection is what makes that possible.
Anyone wishing to arrange kidney function testing can do so through /book-an-appointment, and queries can be sent to /contact-us.