Nearly 3 million people in France suffer from kidney disease. Each year, there are nearly 10,000 new cases of chronic renal failure (CRI) in France. This dysfunction of the two kidneys, which no longer manage to eliminate waste, is the consequence of kidney disease. CRI is said to be chronic when it appears gradually over the years, without the symptoms being visible at first. When these show up, the IRC is at an advanced stage and it is already too late. This late diagnosis then requires emergency dialysis.
Early detection
The challenge is to successfully detect kidney disease early in order to slow down or stop the progression of kidney disease and avoid dialysis.
With National Kidney Week starting on March 8, the FNAIR (National Federation for Kidney Insufficiency) wants to encourage as many people as possible to get tested. For this, health establishments throughout France will offer free and anonymous screening operations. Hospitals, clinics and dialysis centers will perform screening tests for proteinuria and hematuria by urine dipstick).
A healthy lifestyle
This year, National Week revolves around the theme “I care about my kidneys: preventing and slowing down kidney aging”. Conferences will be held in several cities to discuss these poorly known issues. We do not necessarily know that the kidney is an organ that ages and wears out with age. A healthy lifestyle helps keep it healthy for longer and protects it from kidney disease. The FNAIR summarizes a few simple rules: drink at least 1 liter of water a day to stimulate kidney activity, eat a balanced diet (in particular, limit salt and animal fats, a factor of hypertension, itself a risk factor for heart failure kidney), avoid high protein diets (which damage the kidneys) and avoid excessive medication.
In France, 39,600 people are on dialysis and 9,030 patients are waiting for a kidney transplant. More informations : www.semainedurein.fr
