(And i think i’ll soon be one of them because i don’t drink enough water daily…choi choi choi…)

About 2,500 people in Malaysia are diagnosed with kidney failure every year and the number can be expected to continue growing if nothing is done to check the prevalence of the disease.

Sabah Health Department Director, Dr. Marzukhi Md Isa said the National Renal Registry 2007 statistics showed that the number of kidney failure patients had increased from 100 persons per one million in 2003 to 130 per one million in 2007 due to unhealthy lifestyles.

He said according to a worldwide research one out of 10 adults faced a kidney problem and it is estimated that about 36 premature deaths will occur on earth by 2015 due to kidney disease, which also promotes cardiovascular disease and strokes.

Marzhuki was launching the World Kidney Day 2009 at 1Borneo here Saturday, which was jointly organised by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sabah Health Department and Sabah Medical Association.

According to him, high blood pressure is the main cause of kidney disease accounting for 80 per cent of kidney patients. Uncontrolled high blood pressure could lead to heart attacks, stroke and kidney failure.

This year’s World Kidney Day aims to create awareness among society on the prevention of kidney disease as well as the importance of early detection and also to tell the public about the relation between high blood pressure and kidney disease.

Marzhuki said kidneys would progressively lose their capability to function properly if the disease is not treated early, which will lead to kidney failure.

He also said a haemodialysis treatment for a kidney patient would cost about RM1,000 a month.

In this regards, Marzhuki said it is very important for everyone to practice healthy living by exercising, eating healthily, quit smoking, quit alcoholic drinks, maintain a healthy body weight and learn to manage their stress.

“People must also undergo regular health checks and undergo blood pressure, glucose, urine, cholesterol and BMI checks,” he said.

Source: Daily Express