World Kidney Day 2022: Significance, Theme Of The Year And Tips To Keep Kidneys Healthy

The World Kidney Day Joint Steering Committee declared 2022 as the year of ‘Kidney Health For All’, with the campaign focusing on bridging gaps to improve kidney health

March 10 is celebrated annually as the World Kidney Day | Photo: Getty

New Delhi: Kidneys, a fist-sized bean-shaped paired organ, are vital to bodily functions, and they help in maintaining proper balance of fluids in the body besides getting rid of toxins and wastes.

March 10 is observed annually as the World Kidney Day to raise awareness around the functions of kidney and ensure ways to keep them healthy. It is a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF).

World Kidney Day Significance

Started in 2006, the World Kidney Day is observed every year with a particular theme. Health organisations across the world observe this day to help people prevent kidney disease and also inform them to take precautions to lead a healthy life. Several campaigns are organised to spread messages about kidney diseases.

Between 8 and 10 per cent of the adult population have some form of kidney damage, and every year millions die prematurely of complications related to Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD), according to the website worldkidneyday.org.

The day aims to encourage people to adopt healthy diet and lifestyles (access to clean water, exercise, healthy diet, tobacco control, and climate change prevention) to maintain good kidney health, preserve kidney function longer in those with CKD, and increase overall general awareness of the importance of kidneys.

World Kidney Day 2022 Theme

The World Kidney Day Joint Steering Committee declared 2022 as the year of ‘Kidney Health For All’, with the campaign focusing on bridging gaps to improve kidney health.

How To Ensure Good Kidney Health

Stay active and fit: This not only helps you to maintain an ideal body weight, but also reduce your blood pressure and the risk of chronic kidney disease.

Control blood sugar: About half the people who have diabetes develop kidney damage. But this can be prevented/ limited if the diabetes is well controlled, according to the worldkidneyday.org. Check your kidney function regularly with blood and urine tests.

Monitor blood pressure: High blood pressure can cause kidney damage. High blood pressure can damage your kidneys. This is especially likely when associated with other factors like diabetes, high cholesterol and cardio-vascular diseases. The risk can be reduced with good control of blood pressure.

Don’t smoke: Smoking slows the flow of blood to the kidneys. When less blood reaches the kidneys, it can decrease their ability to function normally.

Check fluid intake: The right level of fluid intake for any individual depends on many factors including exercise, climate, health conditions, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Normally this means 8 cups, approximately 2 liters (quarts) per day for a healthy person in a comfortable climate condition. Your fluid intake may need to be adjusted if you have kidney or heart or liver disease.