News - Page 26

Pharmacy Supports Kidney Disease Screening

Pharmacists are being called on to offer their support to a new campaign highlighting the importance of screening for early detection of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Professor George Mellotte, Clinical Lead, HSE National Renal Office (NRO),Carol Moore, Chief Executive, Irish Kidney Association and Tess Clinch, Events and Marketing, Diabetes Ireland.

Picture Conor McCabe Photograph

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects 1 in 10 people in the whole population. Often described as ‘a silent illness hiding in plain sight’, it usually develops slowly over time and can progress to total kidney failure. It is estimated that CKD will become the fifth leading cause of death globally by 2040.

Over 500 people in Ireland develop kidney failure every year.

World Kidney Day which was celebrated on 10th March 2022 aims to bridge the knowledge gap to better kidney care. To mark World Kidney Day, the Irish Kidney Association (IKA), in association with the HSE’s National Renal Office (NRO) and Diabetes Ireland ran an awareness campaign to highlight the importance of screening for early detection of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

The success of the campaign has relied on the valued support of healthcare professionals including GPs and Pharmacists. The Irish Pharmacy Union is supporting the campaign through sharing its message on its digital and print platforms. Some independent pharmacy chains are also promoting the campaign to their customers. The collaboration between all these interest groups in supporting the campaign is an indicator of the importance of monitoring kidney health.

Diabetes Ireland welcomes the opportunity to join with the Irish Kidney Association to share this important messaging in their – Check Know Discuss campaign to highlight the need for people living with Diabetes to be aware of their kidney health as Diabetes is one of the leading causes of Chronic Kidney Disease worldwide.

Chronic Kidney Disease is a condition that has the potential to go undetected as it does not cause symptoms in the early stages. It is a condition that can be screened for by getting urine and blood tests to monitor kidney function. These simple urine and blood tests are a routine part of Diabetes care with your GP/diabetes team.

Risk factors towards developing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) include:

• Diabetes

• Hypertension (High blood pressure)

• Cardiovascular Disease

• Cancer

• Liver conditions

• Autoimmune diseases

• Pre-eclampsia

• Obesity

• Family health history of kidney disease

• Aged over 50

• Long term use of over-the-counter medications

In explaining why Diabetes Ireland is supporting the Irish Kidney Association in its campaign, Clair Naughton, Diabetes Nurse and Regional Development Officer with Diabetes Ireland said, “Diabetes Ireland welcomes the opportunity to highlight the importance of screening for Chronic Kidney Disease, a condition that can go undetected in the early stages as it doesn’t cause symptoms. Diabetes, which affects in excess of 250,000 people in Ireland is one of the leading causes of Chronic Kidney Disease. Diabetes checkups should include the routine monitoring of kidney function so that changes can be picked up early. It is easily done with routine kidney blood and urine tests. Diabetes Ireland is urging all people with diabetes to attend for their routine diabetes check-ups with their GP or diabetes team, to ask for a kidney function test, and ensure that a discussion of kidney health becomes an integral part of check-ups. Find out the results of the test and regularly discuss their kidney health with their doctors: i.e. Check, Know, Discuss”.

Itchy Scalp: Scratching for an Explanation

Scalp pruritus is a common complaint that is considered a diagnostically and therapeutically challenging situation. Scalp skin has a unique neural structure that contains densely innervated hair follicles and dermal vasculature.

Scalp pruritus is a common and distressing symptom. It is most commonly associated with seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis but appears often without any noticeable skin lesion or obvious diagnosis. It is considered a diagnostically and therapeutically challenging situation particularly when no other body part itches and no detectable lesion seen.

The first step in treating pruritus is finding the source of the itch. Potential causes include medications or pregnancy.

Scalp pruritus can arise from a variety of conditions including dermatologic, systemic, neurologic and psychogenic diseases. Among patients with psychogenic pruritus, the most commonly affected sites are scalp and face.

Certain groups of people are more susceptible to pruritus, including:

• The elderly

• Atopic patients (seasonal allergies, hay fever, asthma, and eczema)

• People with diseases, including diabetes, HIV infection/AIDS and various types of cancer

• Pregnant women

• Patients with kidney failure on dialysis

Scalp itch continues to be a major symptom for dermatologic patients. The scalp has a complex neuroanatomy with abundance of sensory neural end organs in the pilosebacous unit. Because ‘itchy scalp’ is a common complaint with disparate origins; namely dermatologic, neuropathic, systemic and psychogenic; dissecting these neural circuits, their anatomical and physiologic role in itch is of prime importance. Understanding the unique features of itch circuit in the scalp is key to development of effective therapies.

Practicing healthy skincare habits can help prevent pruritus. This includes eating a healthy diet and protecting skin from excessive damage. Drinking plenty of water, moisturising to prevent dry skin, using warm (rather than hot) water for washing, and applying adequate sunscreen are also good habits for the skin.