Prevention is better than cure (even for kidneys), says nephrologist

By Claro A. Lanipa

Friday 22nd of June 2012

PAGADIAN CITY, June 22 (PIA) -- “Prevention is better than cure,” said nephrologist Dr. Emerson Mondarte, during the weekly PIA Media Forum held last June 19 at Roxan Hotel in celebration of the National Kidney Month with the theme “Ikaw at Ako Panalo sa Malusog na Bato.”

The nephrologist said our kidneys have multiple functions. Primarily, kidneys serve as the filtering machine in a human body. Anything we eat, there is always a corresponding waste product, even medications and herbal medicines.

“The kidneys will filter all these wastes,” he explained.

Aside from filtering of waste products, it also removes excess water from the human body. As a living organism, we also produce water in small amount in our metabolism, and it is also part of the kidney function to excrete the excess water, Dr. Mondarte added.

Kidneys produces erythropoietin, a hormone that signals the bone marrow to produce or stimulate red and white blood cells. Bone marrow is the factory of red and white blood cells, Mondarte said. “Therefore, if the kidney is in trouble or not functioning well, it will not produce sufficient erythropoietin hormones needed by the body, which will result to low hemoglobin,” he further explained.

Kidney malfunction is one of the top five leading causes of morbidity and mortality, Dr. Mondarte said.

When asked what are the causes of kidney failure or malfunction, he first said, "if a person is a diabetic." He advised those who are diabetic to have their blood sugar controlled, because if not, in five to 10 years’ time it will lead to a kidney problem.

Second is hypertensive neproschlorosis or high blood pressure. He said, since kidneys have tiny veins it will cause inflammation, “mamaga ang kidney (it will swell) and it will cause scars in the kidney.”

To stay away from kidney problems and to keep them healthy, refrain from eating foods with high protein content such as red meat and other salty foods, Dr. Mondarte emphasized.

“Love your kidneys, eat well, stay physically fit, exercise, check your blood pressure and blood sugar regularly because prevention is better than cure,” Mondarte concluded. (ALT/CAL/PIA9)