Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) - Risk Factors & Causes



Worldwide and in Wadadli, non-communicable diseases are impacting our society. 

The average person can speak on pressha, shugah  because of varied community health programs in 268, and frankly, also because every tout monde, sam and baghai in our family and neighbourhoods suffer from these common diseases. Maybe even you, reading right now may suffer from hypertension, and diabetes. Along with these, there's another non-communicable disease that has been increasing its presence in Wadadli. Its known as CKD or Chronic Kidney Disease. 

In previous posts we've discussed what work the kidneys do, we've also discussed how the kidneys work, as well as their structure. If you haven't read these follow these links (Kidney Functions) (Kidney Structure)
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What is Chronic Kidney Disease...?

It is nothing more than the loss of kidney function over time.
It sounds simple enough. However, taking into consideration the amount of work the kidneys do, this loss of function is a problematic situation.

How do you know if you are at risk for CKD? Let's have a look at some predisposing factors.

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Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease



  • Obesity (Body Mask Index of 30 and above, you can calculate yours here)
  • Smoking
  • High Cholesterol
  • Other Cardiovascular Diseases (blood vessels and heart)
  • Kidney structure abnormalities
  • Ethnicity (persons of African, Native American and Asian descent are more at risk)
  • Family History of CKD and other risk factors.
  • Age over 60 years

Take five seconds and just think about your family, your community, our Wadadli and Wa'Omoni... How many persons can you think of that has three or more of these risk factors?
Its sobering.

Interestingly some of these risk factors are also direct causes of Chronic Kidney Disease.


Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Diabetes 
  • Hypertension
  • Inflammation of the Kidney Structures (specifically those that deal with internal filtering and flow)
  • Polycystic Kidney Disease (Kidneys that have multiple cysts all over them)

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  • Recurrent Kidney Infections ( women tend to suffer from this more than men do) 
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  • Prolonged Blockage of the Urinary System ( from an enlarged prostate, bladder or kidney stones, as well as certain cancers )
  • Systemic Lupus Erythomatosus (SLE)
  • Backflow of urine to kidneys (this is known as vesico-urethral reflux)

There you have it. Risk Factors and Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease.
Analyse it though... do you notice, that hypertension and diabetes, which is so common in Antigua and Barbuda are firm building blocks towards this disease?

Please.
Care yuh pressha and care yuh shugah. 
The gateway diseases lead to many others.

In the next post we will consider symptoms & signs of CKD, as well as prevention.
Remember to share this with your friends and family.
Meanwhile stay safe and #wadadlianstrong
Blessings to you and yours.


©March 2018



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