Berhampur: World Kidney Day, being observed today all over the world, aims at raising awareness of the importance of our kidneys.
People from rural areas mostly suffer kidney-related diseases due to their lack of awareness.
Kidneys are vital organs in the human body. If they stop functioning properly, it will cause problems in our body, leading to several complications.
In rural areas, people take pain killers from quacks even for a slight pain in the body.
The habit of taking pain killers and antibiotics makes people prone to kidney diseases.
The Nephrology Department at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur treats about 1,000 kidney patients a year.
Dialysis facility is also made available to the patients; most of them are from rural areas.
A study revealed that people from rural areas often take pain killers and antibiotics without consulting a doctor.
They are not aware of the harmful effects of such tablets.
Generally, the village quack or inexperienced doctor would prescribe pain killers when the villagers consult the former for pain-related diseases.
Similar is the case when patients suffer from slight fever, cold or cough. In such cases too, antibiotics are being prescribed for patients.
But the continuous use of pain killers and antibiotic tablets slowly and steadily damage the kidneys.
Even if the kidneys start malfunctioning, the patients would never understand that their kidneys are damaged.
When they come to know about the disease, it would be too late for proper treatment.
Once the kidneys stop functioning, dialysis is the only treatment available.
According to nephrologists, kidney related problems can only be avoided by saying no to pain killer or antibiotic medicines.
Similarly, early detection can also pave the way for its treatment.
Pain experienced at the time of urinating, irregular urination and vomiting are the common symptoms of kidney diseases.
Doctors advise early treatment for those who experience such symptoms.
According to Dr Saroj Kumar Panda, nephrologist, the number of kidney patients keeps rising every year at MKCG Medical College and Hospital.
“After admission, the patients are advised to get their blood sugar and urea creatine checked at regular intervals. They have been provided with the best medical facilities here. They are also advised to keep their blood pressure under control. They are asked to take less quantity of water. Dialysis facility is also available here,” Dr Panda said.
When asked about the increase in the number of kidney patients, Dr Panda said, “Our study has revealed that the kidney patients used to take pain killer medicines.”
“No pain killers or antibiotic can be taken without consulting experienced doctors. If blood sugar and blood pressure is controlled and water is taken as per requirement, then the disease can be avoided,” Dr Panda said, adding check-up at regular intervals is another key to control the disease.
PNN