THE House of Representatives (HRep) on Monday held the webinar on “Early Detection of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)” as part of its ongoing efforts to promote the health of its workforce.
Nephrologist Dr. Dexter Clifton Pe, a faculty secretary and an associate professor at the University of Sto. Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, who served as resource speaker for the webinar, underscored the important functions of the kidney: toxic waste removal; fluid and electrolyte balance; blood pressure and regulation, calcium and bone metabolism, and red blood cell production. Citing studies, Dr. Pe estimated that one Filipino every hour will develop chronic kidney disease (CKD). He reported that 2.5 million Filipinos were recorded to have CKD in 2016.
Dr. Pe listed diabetes (52.5 percent), hypertension (22.5 percent), glomerulonephritis (12.5 percent), and others (12.5 percent). Meanwhile, the risk factors for CKD are 1) high blood sugar, 2) high blood pressure, 3) heart disease, 4) obesity, 5) smoking, 6) family history, and 7) ageing, as some of the leading causes of CKD.
Dr. Pe emphasized that “Hindi po lahat ng CKD ay mauuwi sa dialysis. That’s why we encourage you to have your creatinine checked and your albumin checked as well,” Dr. Pe said. He then presented the “8 Golden Rules for Healthy Kidneys” which are 1) control blood sugar, 2) control blood pressure, 3) eat a healthy diet, 4) exercise regularly, 5) drink adequate water, 6) stop smoking, 7) don’t abuse pain relievers and supplements, and 8) have a regular checkup.
HRep Medical and Dental Service (MDS) Director Dr. Luis Jose Bautista reminded everyone to remember the keywords in the webinar on “Early Detection of CKD”, which are early detection and prevention of dialysis. To enable early detection, the MDS worked with private partners to bring Urine Albumin, Creatinine Ratio (UACR) Testing machine to the HRep. The machine will be available until November 9, 2023. “To prevent dialysis, you have to use this (UACR machine),” Dr. Bautista said.
Dr. Pe identified 1) albumin in the urine, 2) blood in the urine, 3) urine sediment abnormalities, 4) electrolyte abnormalities, 5) histologic abnormalities, 6) abnormalities detected by radiographic studies, and 7) history of kidney transplantation, as some of the symptoms of kidney damage.
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