Today, 10 March, people around the world are observing World Kidney Day.
To commemorate World Kidney Day 2016, the Luxembourg Ministry of Health has chosen to set their focus on kidney disease in children and its possible early detection.
As kidney disease can be contracted at an early age, the Hôpitaux Robert Schuman, led by Prof. Dr. Claude Braun, Group Medical Director, Martine Cholewiak, Director of Care for the Internal Medicine division, and nephrologist Dr. Caroline Scheifer, nephrologist, will take this day to speak with students in order to warn them of the risks linked to an unhealthy lifestyle. With the cooperation of the Luxembourg Ministry of Health they will dedicate several hours to speaking and answering the questions of students of the lycées Athénée and Vauban. These visits will take place on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 March 2016.
The Luxembourg Ministry of Health is using the slogan “Prendre soin de ses reins pour sa santé de demain” (“Take care of your kidneys today to remain healthy tomorrow”) to raise awareness of the issue which could help avoid future health issues.
World Kidney Day was originally initiated in 2006 by the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF). This year over 160 countries will partake in the theme of this day with over 600 organised events.
Today nearly 600 million people, or one in every ten adults, suffer from kidney disease and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has predicted a 17% increase in the chronic disease within the next 10 years. Millions die every year from a late diagnosis even though kidney disease can be detected and slowed down or cured years before the symptoms become fatal, even if the latter are not overtly detectable.
For this eleventh World Kidney Day the organisers have commemorated the day by recommending and emphasising 'Eight Golden Rules'. These rules are set to help the world's population reduce the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity - the three major contributors to kidney disease.
The 8 golden rules to avoid kidney disease:
1. Drink sufficient amounts of water
2. Eat healthily
3. Keep a healthy weight
4. Exercise regularly
5. Watch your blood pressure
6. Do not smoke
7. Watch your blood sugar
8. Reduce your intake of salt and prepared meals
They also warn all who are concerned for their health and the risk of kidney disease to look out for risk factors: Hypertension, Diabetes, Obesity, Smoking, aged over 50 and if there is a history of kidney problems in the family.
Image by the Luxembourg Ministry of Health
