Obesity is fast becoming a global pandemic. Today, there are over 600 million obese adults worldwide and studies suggest that by 2025, obesity is likely to affect around 20% of the global population. In addition to hampering general health and wellbeing, obesity can also lead to chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and different types of kidney disease.

March 9, World Kidney Day date, is dedicated to spreading awareness about kidney disease and the importance of proper treatment. This year, on the occasion of World Kidney Day, let’s take a moment to explore the link between obesity and kidney-related ailments.

Why is Excess Body Weight Bad for Your Kidneys?

The excess body weight of an obese person exerts more pressure on the kidneys to compensate for the high metabolic demands. This increased function starts reflecting as various kidney problem symptoms and can lead to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). This is why doctors recommend controlling obesity as soon as it sets in.

Treatment for Kidney Diseases at Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre (MMHRC)

At MMHRC, our Nephrology department has been providing advanced treatments for various types of kidney disease for over two decades. With a team of highly experienced doctors, we have successfully completed over 1,00,000 rounds of dialysis, 550 kidney transplants, and an additional 50 cadaver transplantations.

Some of the treatments offered at MMHRC include:

• Haemodialysis: Procedure to purify the blood of a person with malfunctioning kidneys
• Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD): Home dialysis using specialized fluid to remove waste products from the abdomen
• Renal transplantation: Transplantation of a kidney into a person with end stage kidney disease

The way forward with MMHRC

It has been estimated that India has one of the largest population of kidney failure patients. Approximately 20 lakh patients are diagnosed with kidney diseases and every year, 2 lakh new patients are added to the existing pool. The primary reason behind this alarming trend is lack of knowledge, awareness, and screening procedures to diagnose renal disease at an early stage.

At MMHRC, we believe in educating our patients and providing the best treatments to combat kidney diseases. We recommend simple lifestyle changes, such as weight control, eating a balanced diet, periodic health check-ups, and avoiding smoking, to prevent kidney disease. Every little step can go a long way in ensuring better nephrological health.