Today, 13 March 2025, is World Kidney Day – a global campaign to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys and how to protect them.

Your kidneys are hardworking organs that often don’t get the attention they deserve – until something goes wrong. They quietly filter waste and excess fluid from your blood, balance electrolytes, regulate blood pressure, and produce hormones vital for red blood cell production and bone health. Yet, kidney disease is often called a “silent disease”, as many people don’t know they have it until it’s advanced.

In South Africa, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing concern, with rates ranging from 5.9% to 28.9% – largely driven by hypertension, diabetes, HIV, and tuberculosis (TB).

Common Kidney Conditions – What You Should Know:

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD):

A slow, progressive loss of kidney function, often linked to high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV, and family history. CKD can be silent for years, which is why regular kidney screenings are vital.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI):

A sudden loss of kidney function, often caused by infections, dehydration, medications, or severe illness. The good news? AKI can often be reversed if caught early.

Kidney Stones:

Hard deposits that cause severe pain, nausea, and blood in the urine. Staying properly hydrated can reduce your risk.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs):

Infections that affect any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys. Pain when urinating, cloudy urine, and fever are warning signs.

What Does “Abnormal Urine” Mean?

Your urine can give early warning signs of kidney problems:

Proteinuria: Too much protein in the urine, signalling kidney damage. May appear as foamy or frothy urine, but often no visible signs – making urine tests essential.

Haematuria: Blood in the urine, which might look pink, red, or brown – or be invisible without testing.

If your doctor finds protein or blood in your urine, it’s a red flag – don’t ignore it.