Basic Health Units guarantee 2,000 tests to screen for kidney disease

Created 19 years ago, World Kidney Day is celebrated on March 14 with the aim of educating and raising awareness about the importance of preventing kidney diseases. As part of the campaign, the City of Arapiraca, through the Municipal Health Department, in partnership with Hospital Chama, the Instituto Regional Renal do Agreste (IRRA) and Ceproal, carried out an action in the center of the municipality that offered guidance and services such as checking blood pressure and blood glucose.

This year, the campaign motto is “Kidney health and creatinine testing for everyone: because everyone has the right to diagnosis and access to treatment”. The objective is to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease, which is already considered a global public health problem.

Some of the main signs that indicate the presence of the problem are: swelling in the legs or face, renal colic, urinary infection (burning, foul-smelling or cloudy urine, difficulty urinating and wanting to go many times a day), blood in the urine and unexplained skin weakness or pallor. It is worth highlighting that problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and family history are risk factors for the disease.

In the presence of any symptom, it is essential to seek out the reference Basic Health Unit for further investigation. To serve the population, 2,000 laboratory tests will be offered through these units, with the aim of tracking the disease.

It is estimated that, by 2024, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) will be the 5th leading cause of death in the world. This is characterized by progressive and irreversible damage that affects kidney function, generally being very silent in the initial stages. Therefore, early diagnosis of the disease, through low-cost tests such as blood creatinine and urine tests, are important.

To help prevent the problem from arising, it is recommended to practice physical exercise, control cholesterol, glucose, weight and blood pressure, as well as avoid excess salt and red meat and never use medications without professional advice.