Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 8 Oct: Kidney disease can progress quietly, with many people showing few or no noticeable symptoms until kidney function has already declined significantly. Doctors at RG Hospitals, Dehradun, have noted an increase in patients with chronic kidney disease, along with a rise in nephrology consultations. The trend highlights the challenge of detecting kidney disease early, particularly among people who may not experience obvious symptoms.
Chronic kidney disease is often associated with conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, while a family history of kidney disease, previous acute kidney injury (AKI), and prolonged use of certain medicines can also increase risk. Government guidelines recommend kidney screening for people at higher risk, including those with diabetes, hypertension, a family history of CKD, older age or a previous history of AKI.
“Kidney disease does not always announce itself through clear symptoms in the early stages. By the time a person develops swelling, reduced urine output, breathlessness, persistent fatigue, or other noticeable symptoms, kidney function may already have been significantly affected. This is why people with diabetes, hypertension, a family history of kidney disease or previous kidney problems should not wait for symptoms before getting evaluated. Simple blood, urine tests & USG Kidneys can help identify changes in kidney structure as well as function earlier and allow timely medical intervention,” asserts Dr Bhavin Brahmbhatt, Consultant – Nephrology, RG Hospitals, Dehradun.
Doctors recommend that people at higher risk undergo periodic kidney health checks, which may include serum creatinine with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine testing for albumin or protein, depending on the individual’s risk profile. Current kidney disease guidance’s recommends assessing eGFR and urine albumin in people at risk of CKD rather than relying on a single marker alone.
People should also pay attention to changes such as persistent fatigue, swelling of the feet or face, changes in urination, blood in the urine, breathlessness or unexplained weakness. However, the absence of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that kidney function is normal. Regular screening remains particularly important for people with diabetes, high blood pressure and other recognised risk factors.
