A significant increase in a chronic condition is affecting a record number of people globally, ranking it among the leading causes of death worldwide in recent times.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the leading ten causes of death accounted for more than half (57 percent) of the 68 million global deaths in 2021.
The top eight causes include cardiovascular issues such as ischaemic heart disease and stroke, and respiratory problems such as Covid-19 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, along with lung cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes.
For the first time, kidney disease ranked ninth, surpassing tuberculosis.
Recent research indicates a record number of individuals are experiencing diminished kidney function, which can be fatal if not detected early.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that over one in seven adults in the United States suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD), with alarmingly, up to nine out of ten being unaware of their condition.
This condition refers to kidneys that are damaged and, as a result, cannot filter the blood as efficiently as they once did.
The CDC explains that when kidneys fail to function properly, ‘toxic waste and extra fluid accumulate in the body and may lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and early death.’
The study identified high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and an elevated body mass index (BMI) as significant risk factors for kidney disease.
The positive aspect is that individuals can take measures to reduce the risk, provided they recognize the symptoms.
According to the NHS, kidney disease in its early stages does not typically cause symptoms because the body can ‘cope with a significant reduction in kidney function.’
Diagnosis at this stage often occurs during routine tests for other conditions involving blood or urine tests.
Once detected early, medication and additional tests can prevent the disease from advancing further.
A noticeable change in appetite and sleep patterns can be a warning sign.
Individuals in the later stages of CKD might experience significant weight loss, poor appetite, fatigue, or even insomnia.
Swelling in the ankles, feet, or hands due to water retention, known as oedema, could also be indicative.
Other symptoms include muscle cramps, shortness of breath, itchy skin, nausea, and headaches.
Those with CKD may also notice changes in urination patterns, including blood in the urine and increased frequency, especially at night.
In men, erectile dysfunction (ED) can also occur.
When patients exhibit multiple symptoms, it may suggest kidney failure, end-stage renal disease, or established renal failure, as stated by the NHS.
This can eventually necessitate dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant.
Research conducted by NYU Langone Health, the University of Glasgow, and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington revealed a sharp increase in kidney disease cases, rising from 378 million to a staggering 788 million between 1990 and 2023, explaining its presence on the list of the top 10 deadly diseases for the first time.
Researchers found that around 14 percent of the global adult population has CKD, resulting in approximately 1.5 million deaths in 2023, a more than six percent increase since 1993.
Fortunately, the study highlighted that early interventions can improve the condition, not only through medication but also lifestyle changes.
The NHS advises that while there is no cure for CKD, treatment can alleviate symptoms and prevent the disease from worsening.
Lifestyle changes are crucial, including quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, exercising regularly, and managing alcohol consumption.
It is also recommended to reduce salt intake to less than 6g per day, about one teaspoon, and avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.
Study co-senior author Josef Coresh, M.D., Ph.D., director of NYU Langone’s Optimal Aging Institute, described CKD as ‘common, deadly, and getting worse as a major public health issue.’
Morgan Grams, M.D., Ph.D., the Susan and Morris Mark Professor of Medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, who also co-authored the study, emphasized that the disease is often ‘underdiagnosed and undertreated.’
“Our report underscores the need for more urine testing to catch it early and the need to ensure that patients can afford and access therapy once they are diagnosed,” she added.