Kidney diseases among children

CEBU, Philippines - Childhood is a most crucial time for good nutrition. Unfortunately, alongside the little ones' need for healthy diet is their fondness for fast-food and junk food. This has since become a big concern for many parents.

There has recently been alarming news about the soaring incidence of kidney disease among children. According to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), kidney-related diseases, specifically the end-stage kidney disease or ESRD, occupy the seventh spot among causes of mortality in the Philippines. One Filipino develops chronic renal failure every hour, the NKTI reveals.

In so many ways, children suffering from kidney conditions significantly differ from kids who are generally healthy. According to an account by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, children with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) may have low self-esteem, have difficulty in making friends and have relationship problems with family members due to the stress and anxiety of living with a chronic disease, which could even lead to more serious behavioral problems.

While most severe effects occur when CKD is acquired at birth, other harsh results appear gradually as the child grows up, such as having delayed speech processing and slow motor skill development. Also, children affected with CKD have difficulty in concentrating and excelling in school and in extracurricular activities. This is due to the buildup of wastes in the body which slows down nerve and brain function.

The website www.niddk.nih.gov emphasizes that kidneys are a vital part of the body's urinary system as these perform many essential tasks for the body. These two bean-shaped organs found at each side of the spine below the rib cage are responsible for removing toxins and excess water from the blood. They also aid in controlling blood pressure and chemical balance, in producing red blood cells and in keeping the bones strong. Each kidney has the same size as the fist and weighs one-fourth pound.

On the occasion of the celebration of the World Kidney Day on Thursday, March 10, the Philippine government encourages the public, without distinction as to age, to join the global awareness campaign that aims to direct public attention to the importance of the kidneys to one's overall health.

The website www.lifeoptions.org points out the common symptoms of kidney disease:

Symptom 1: Changes in Urination. Kidneys make urine, so when the kidneys are failing, the urine may change. How? The affected person may have to get up at night to urinate. Urine may be foamy or bubbly. The person may urinate more often, or in greater amounts than usual, with pale urine; or may urinate less often, or in smaller amounts than usual, with dark-colored urine. The urine may contain blood. The person may feel pressure or have difficulty urinating.

Symptom 2: Swelling. Failing kidneys don't remove extra fluid, which builds up in your body causing swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, face, and/or hands.

Symptom 3: Fatigue. Healthy kidneys make a hormone called erythropoietin or EPO, that tells your body to make oxygen-carrying red blood cells. As the kidneys fail, they make less EPO. With fewer red blood cells to carry oxygen, your muscles and brain tire very quickly. This is anemia, and it can be treated.

Symptom 4: Skin Rash or Itching. Kidneys remove wastes from the bloodstream. When the kidneys fail, the buildup of wastes in the blood can cause severe itching.

Symptom 5: Metallic Taste in Mouth or Ammonia Breath. A build-up of wastes in the blood (called uremia) can make food taste different and cause bad breath. You may also notice that you stop liking to eat meat, or that you are losing weight because you just don't feel like eating.

Symptom 6: Nausea and Vomiting. A severe build-up of wastes in the blood can also cause nausea and vomiting. Loss of appetite can lead to weight loss.

Symptom 7: Shortness of Breath. Trouble catching breath can be related to the kidneys in two ways. First, extra fluid in the body can build up in the lungs. And second, anemia (a shortage of oxygen-carrying red blood cells) can leave body oxygen-starved and short of breath.

Symptom 8: Feeling Cold. Anemia can make you feel cold all the time, even in a warm room.

Symptom 9: Dizziness and Trouble Concentrating. Anemia related to kidney failure means that your brain is not getting enough oxygen. This can lead to memory problems, trouble with concentration, and dizziness.

Symptom 10: Leg or Flank Pain. The most common causes of CKD do not cause any pain. And, much of the pain that is near the kidneys is not caused by a kidney problem. But some people who have CKD do have pain.

Some people with kidney problems may have pain in the upper back (where the kidneys are) or on the same side as the affected kidney.

At any stage of kidney disease, knowledge is power. Knowing the symptoms of kidney disease can help you get the treatment you need to feel your best. If someone has one or more of the following symptoms of CKD, or worrying about kidney problems, see a doctor for blood and urine tests. Remember, many of the symptoms can be caused by other health problems. The only way to know the cause of the symptoms is to see a doctor.

To prevent kidney problems in the first place, the website www.thehealthsite.com reminds everyone to drink plenty of water every day, reduce intake of salt, not to resist the urge to urinate, drink healthy beverages, avoid alcohol and smoking, exercise daily, and to always try to eat right.

Kidney diseases are silent killers. And nobody wants to die without putting up a good fight. So early on, parents shall show their kids how to live a healthy lifestyle. (FREEMAN)