Healthy lifestyle 'can help avoid kidney disease'

Healthy lifestyle 'can help avoid kidney disease'

Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly is vital in helping to prevent the development of kidney disease and other chronic illnesses, an expert has claimed.

Dr Liam Plant, Health Service Executive national clinical director of the National Renal Office, said a balanced and active lifestyle is important to long-term health.

He was speaking to mark World Kidney Day 2010, which took place yesterday (March 11th) and aims to raise awareness of the threat of chronic kidney disease.

The illness affects around 280,000 adults in Ireland, many of whom are unaware of their condition, putting them at greater risk of cardiovascular disease and death.

Factors such as increasing age, hypertension and diabetes can all contribute to an increased risk of kidney disease, but healthy lifestyle choices could help reduce the threat.

"Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is critical in avoiding the development of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney disease," Dr Plant said.

He added that simple screening tests can also help detect kidney disease in its earliest form and ensure adequate treatment is given.

According to the Kidney Association Ireland, the illness can affect men and women of all ages and often requires a lifetime of treatment.