World Kidney Day: Expert Advises Early Checkups and Healthy Lifestyle to Protect Kidneys

Malik Faizan

Srinagar, March 12, KNT: A senior nephrologist on Thursday stressed the importance of early awareness and preventive care to protect kidney health, saying many kidney diseases can be avoided through timely medical consultation and healthy lifestyle practices.

Speaking on the occasion of World Kidney Day, Dr. Aijaz Arshid, Director of the Department of Nephrology at Ujala Cygnus Kashmir Super Specialty Hospital, said lack of awareness and neglect of early symptoms often leads to serious kidney complications.

He said kidney diseases are increasing globally but many cases can be prevented if people pay attention to their lifestyle, diet and medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

Dr. Arshid said uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure are among the major causes of kidney damage and advised people suffering from these conditions to regularly consult doctors and keep their blood pressure and blood sugar levels under control.

“People should monitor their blood pressure regularly and take prescribed medication as advised by doctors,” he said while highlighting the importance of routine health check-ups.

He also warned against the unregulated intake of medicines, saying excessive or unsupervised use of certain drugs can harm the kidneys.

“Medicines should not be taken in an uncontrolled manner without medical advice,” he said, adding that self-medication can increase the risk of kidney complications.

The nephrologist also emphasised the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight and avoiding obesity, which can contribute to kidney problems over time.

Dr. Arshid advised people to follow a balanced diet and avoid excessive protein intake, recommending moderate consumption of protein as part of a healthy diet.

He said maintaining proper hydration is also important and people should drink water regularly to support kidney function.

Highlighting early warning signs, Dr. Arshid said the presence of protein in urine can be an indicator of kidney damage and requires medical attention.

“If protein is detected in urine tests, patients should consult a doctor and take proper medication to prevent further complications,” he said.

He urged people to remain aware about kidney health and seek timely medical advice to detect and treat kidney diseases at an early stage. [KNT]