World Kidney Day is celebrated on the second Thursday of March every year. It is a global health campaign to spread awareness about the importance of kidneys and to identify and prevent kidney disease and its associated health issues. Currently, 850 million people are suffering from some form of kidney disease worldwide.

The World Kidney Day Theme

The World Kidney Day was proposed by the International Society of Nephrology and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations. It was first observed on March 9, 2006.Since then, it is celebrated every year with a particular theme.

    • 2006 – Are your kidneys, OK?
    • 2007 – CKD: Common, harmful, and treatable
    • 2008 – Your amazing kidneys!
    • 2009 – Protect your kidneys: Keep your pressure down
    • 2010 – Protect your kidneys: Control diabetes
    • 2011 – Protect your kidneys: Save your heart
    • 2012 – Donate – Kidneys for Life – Receive
    • 2013 – Kidneys for Life – Stop Kidney Attack!
    • 2014 – Chronic Kidney Disease and aging
    • 2015 – Kidney Health for All
    • 2016 – Kidney Disease & Children: Act Early to Prevent It!
    • 2017 – Kidney Disease & Obesity: Healthy Lifestyle for Healthy Kidneys
    • 2018 – Kidneys & Women’s Health. Include, Value, Empower
    • 2019 – Kidney Health for Everyone, Everywhere
    • 2020 – Kidney Health for Everyone, Everywhere – from Prevention to Detection and Equitable Access to Care

This year, World Kidney Day is being celebrated on Thursday, March 11 with the theme ‘Living Well with Kidney Disease’.

The World Kidney Day Objectives

World Kidney Day aims to spread awareness about the importance of organ kidneys and the risk factors such as diabetes and high blood pressure that can cause Chronic Kidney Disease. It also aims to encourage regular screening of people with diabetes and high blood pressure which helps in the early detection and treatment of kidney disease.

On this day, conferences and seminars are being organised on local and national levels to control the chronic kidney disease epidemic. All medical professionals and government institutes are informed about their important role in identifying and reducing the risk of kidney diseases. People are also encouraged for kidney transplantation in case of kidney failure and organ donation.

On World Kidney Day, let know more about the kidney disease.

What are the causes and symptoms of Kidney disease?

Kidney disease is mainly caused by other health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney stones, kidney infections, and excessive and long-term use of painkillers. In addition to this, unhealthy lifestyles such as lack of physical activity, not drinking enough water, smoking, and being overweight can also increase the risk of kidney disease.

Some common symptoms of kidney disease are abdominal and back pain, diarrhoea, fever, nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, swelling in the feet, and decreased or excessive urination. If you notice these symptoms, you should consult your doctor immediately.

How to prevent kidney disease?

Kidney disease and kidney failure can be prevented by following a healthy routine. Here are some tips that help to lower your risk for kidney disease:

    • Exercise for about 20 to 30 minutes daily
    • Avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake
    • Maintain a healthy weight and get enough sleep
    • Routinely check your diabetes and blood pressure and keep them under control
    • Manage your heart disease
    • Eat a low-salt and low-fat diet
    • Drink an adequate amount of water (six or eight 250 mL glasses of water every day)
    • Avoid taking too many painkillers
    • Consult your doctor as soon as possible, if you have urine infections or kidney stones.