Prevention is better than cure when it comes to chronic diseases

That prevention is better than cure was the loudest message at the World Kidney Day event at the Madras Medical College here.

While longevity had increased substantially, it did not necessarily mean good quality of life, Principal Secretary, Health, V.K. Subburaj pointed out.

A number of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, hypertension and stroke were causing health problems for the people living longer. It is believed that there are 100 crore people across the world with hypertension, and that the figure is only set to increase. About one crore people globally developed kidney disease every year, and 10 lakh of them go for dialysis. About a lakh need kidney transplant, but only about 5,000 transplants were being done, he added.

“The main reason for this is the changed lifestyle of the people – fatty diets, lack of exercise and high cholesterol levels,” he explained. While self-discipline is essential for those who live with a chronic disease, all efforts will be wasted if the patient's family does not co-operate.

N. Gopalakrishnan, head, Nephrology department, Madras Medical College, explained the genetic predisposition south Indians showed for Diabetes Mellitus. In addition, there were diet and environment factors. With high blood pressure and blood sugar, the chances of get kidney disease would rise proportionately. Also, these factors were silent at onset and no signs or symptoms that would aid detection are present in the beginning. However, every one over 40 years must have an annual check up at least once a year to ensure that any chronic disease is picked up early and treated.

Once kidney disease sets in, treatment procedures are available, including dialysis for patients with end stage disease. A number of people would require transplantation, Dr. Gopalakrishnan added.

Tamil Nadu had evolved a system by which cadaveric organs could be used for transplant, and this had enabled a number of patients with end stage kidney disease to get a new lease of life. The waiting time for a kidney had also been cut down substantially, J.Amalorpavanathan, convenor, State Cadaver Transplant Programme, said.