Two simple tests — a blood test that measures creatinine to see how well the kidneys filter waste and excess fluids from the blood, and a urine test to check protein leakage — could go a long way in early detection of kidney disease, said Sakthi Selvakumar, Consultant Nephrologist, Kauvery Hospital Cantonment, Tiruchi during a webinar on Kidney Care: Awareness.
“One in 10 people worldwide may have chronic kidney disease, and 90% of those who have it would not even know it,” said Dr. Selvakumar when talking about the early warning signs of kidney disease. A person, he said, could lose up to 90% of their kidney function before showing noticeable symptoms, a major reason for late diagnosis.
People should be aware of personal risks (co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension or family history) and prioritize consumption of home-cooked meals, 150 minutes of physical activity per week and early testing, added Dr. Selvakumar.
The webinar was jointly organized by Kauvery Hospital and The Hindu on the occasion of World Kidney Day, which falls on March 12.
K. Abirami, Senior Consultant and Head of Nephrology, Kauvery Hospital, Salem, explained the five-stage progression of chronic kidney disease and said that with treatment and lifestyle changes, the progression of the disease can be slowed down in stages 1 to 4. At the stage of kidney failure, hemodialysis could keep people alive “for years or decades with proper care, diet and treatment of comorbidities, especially diabetes and hypertension.”
On the transplant front, she complained about the gap between the demand and supply of organs. She said Tamil Nadu surpassed the United States with 860 transplants from deceased donors in 2024, followed by Telangana with 587, Karnataka 483, Maharashtra 466 and Gujarat 367. Still, patients waited three to five years on average to receive a donor kidney.
Tamil Nadu reports 18,600 fatal accidents every year. If people were motivated to donate their organs, one donor could benefit at least a dozen waiting patients, Dr. Abiram.
Dr. Sivakumar D., Senior Consultant Nephrologist, Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani, spoke about eight common kidney diseases, their symptoms and line of treatment, emphasizing the importance of home-cooked food and a balanced diet rather than relying on supplements.
Watch the webinar at newsth.live/THKAKY
Published – 12 March 2026 0:20 AM IST
