Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) slows down the capacity of the kidney to break down harmful toxins. This process makes it more possible for the body to survive. Every person has a set of kidneys which are responsible for filtering waste products in the blood and other dangerous fluids. When these harmful fluids build up because the kidneys are no longer functioning to its full potential, diseases start to develop. This could lead to multiple organ failure.
Anemia, high blood pressure, nerve damage -- these are just a few conditions that person suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease could also experience. In addition, people with CKD are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases. These complications may not happen all at the same time. In fact, it may take a while before a patient realizes that their disease has developed into several others.
According to the reports released by the National Kidney Foundation, there are about 30 million adults suffering from end-stage CKD. There are a million others who are at risk of suffering from kidney failure. Experts point out that CKD causes heart complications that are usually the reason for most deaths for people suffering from CKD.
Recent studies show that workers exposed to the harsh heat of the sun are more likely to develop CKD. During the 1990s, the disease affected most of the sugarcane farmers in the US. In 2012, reports show that in Florida, California, and Colorado, deaths due to CKD have increased to roughly 20,000 for that year alone. Researchers from the University of Colorado looked into all the data available to find the gaps that could help explain the increase in patients dying of CKD.
The results of the study were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The team of researchers found that agricultural workers, particularly those who work in the sugarcane, cotton, and corn industry, including miners and shrimp farmers, have been found to be more likely to suffer from CKD because of the heat they experience while they are at work. As compared to those who are working under low temperatures, those who are exposed to too much heat are likely to develop and suffer from kidney problems.
Although it won't be as deadly as those other epidemic diseases, developing CKD will make a person suffer for a long period of time. In fact, Chronic Kidney Disease could make living conditions much worse for the patient as the years go by.
