Chronic kidney disease on the rise, health experts warn

Health experts on Wednesday said the number of Filipinos suffering from chronic kidney disease is increasing.

According to a report by Lei Alviz on "24 Oras," around seven million Filipinos are afflicted with the disease. Experts said early diagnosis is essential to prevent it.

“We have seen a significant increase of chronic kidney disease being one of the top five causes of death of Filipinos,” said Dr. Vimar Luz, board member of the  Philippine Society of Nephrology.

However, many individuals are unaware that they have kidney problems because they do not get themselves checked.

According to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), some patients brought to the hospital are already suffering from renal failure.

“These are lifestyle diseases, sa ating pagkain, too much carbohydrates, sugar, diabetes 'yun, hypertension, cholesterol, triglycerides, 'yung mga taba sa pagkain. At around 50 to 70 years old, marami na tayong sakit dahil sa poor eating habits,” said NKTI executive director, Rose Marie Rosete-Liquete.

Like any other disease, kidney disease can be prevented through healthy lifestyle, food, and regular check-ups.

“Sa kabataan pa lamang, dapat ay nagkakaron na dapat ng mga test, urinalysis ang isa sa mga pinaka-basic. Palagay ko yan ang importante nating malaman, nang maagapan. Karamihan diyan yung namamaga ang kidney sa mga bata, ‘pag medyo teenager na sila, or 20’s 30’s chronic glomerulonephritis na yun, yung namamaga ang kidney,” Liquete added.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News