MARCH 20209spreads from the lower back into the groin. The disease can lead to Chronic or Acute Kidney Failure. While the failure of kidneys in the former happens gradually, the latter may happen within a few hours or days. However, it is important to note that both are life-threatening.Rising Renal Problems in KidsThe occurrence of renal failure in Indian kids has been increasing at an alarming rate in India. 20 per cent of Indian kids are suffering from kidney diseases. Parents have a leading role in keeping their child healthy and lead a disease free life.Diet: A balanced diet contains a mixture of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Avoid processed foods and fizzy drinks in order to maintain sugar and salt levels. Parents should keep their children fit, active and eating well to ensure that they do not become overweight. Parents should encourage children to take part in sports and physical activities to keep them fit.Consume water: Healthy fluid intake is necessary for children, especially water. But if a child is dehydrated he/she should not urinate more frequently as the water gets absorbed by the body.No smoking: Teenage is the age that is most attractive for cigarettes and hence parents should keep an eye on their children.Medicines and drugs: Aspirin and other banned drug usages may directly affect the kidney or liver. It dehydrates the body and succeeds in kidney failure.Reduce Sodium intake: Too much sodium can lead to hypertension, so cutting down on salt intake is better. 1.5 to 2.3 grams daily is the prescribed amount of salt intake.Increase Potassium: Potassium helps in balancing the water level and reduces the effect of sodium thereby reducing blood pressure. Some anatomic disorders too can lead to renal diseases besides the ones resulting from metabolic disordersSudeep Singh Sachdev, NephrologistSo it is important that kids are nourished with potassium-rich food (potato, spinach, beans, low-fat dairy products).How to Diagnose?The real problem, however, lies in the diagnosis of the disease because unless there's a tumor or the kidneys are swollen, it becomes difficult for the doctors to check by simply feeling the kidneys. There are, however, tests that check the kidney tissues, take urine samples and checks for protein, sugar, blood, ketones, etc.What are the Treatment Options?When treating kidneys, doctors tend to concentrate more on the underlying cause of the disease. The infections can also be cured by antibiotics if the infection is caused by bacteria.In the case of acute kidney failure, this scheme works best. In such cases treating the original cause can help return the kidney to its normal functioning. But in most of the kidney failure cases, the blood pressure has to be first brought to normal in order to evade any further progression of the disease.End-stage kidney failures are only controlled by dialysis or kidney transplant. Dialysis can be done once a week or more, depending on the condition. In the case of transplant, the diseased kidneys are replayed by new or healthy ones. These transplants are said to work 80 per cent of the time. The only fear, in this case, is what if the body rejects the transplant. The risk, however, is worth it because a healthy kidney can help a person live and lead a better life.
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