Extreme heat causing chronic kidney disease, says expert

“Geographical regions that experience prolonged extreme heat are increasingly seeing higher rates of chronic kidney disease. Belagavi and several districts of North Karnataka fall into this category. Years of working or living in high temperature zones, combined with inadequate hydration, can silently accelerate kidney damage, especially in individuals with diabetes or hypertension,” Head of Department and Consultant, Nephrology and Transplant Physician, Vishwanath S. said in Belagavi recently.

He was speaking at a community care awareness programme organised by Rotary Club of Belgaum South and Manipal Hospital, Old Airport Road, Bengaluru.

“In most North Karnataka districts, kidney disease is increasingly affecting younger adults, disrupting education, careers and family life. Data from the the State government’s Gruha Arogya Yojane survey shows over 60,000 hypertension cases, 50,000 diabetes cases and more than 3,000 chronic kidney disease cases in Belagavi district, with experts warning that the actual burden is likely higher,” he said.

Such issues are the focus of the Manipal Community Care Programme organised at Rani Parvati Devi College in Tilakwadi.

However, such conditions are preventable. Most advanced kidney failure cases are rooted in long-standing, poorly controlled diabetes and hypertension. “Early screening and timely intervention could have changed the outcome for many of these patients,” Dr. Vishwanath said.

Consultant, Uro-Oncology, Robotic Surgery and Renal Transplantation, Anand Patil said that tobacco use, both smoking and smokeless, and rising obesity significantly worsens kidney damage.

“Quitting tobacco, managing weight and staying adequately hydrated are simple but powerful steps that can slow disease progression and protect kidney health,” he said.

While prevention and early diagnosis formed the foundation of the discussion, experts also spoke about the hospital’s role in delivering advanced and specialised kidney care to patients from North Karnataka.

They highlighted the comprehensive nephrology and transplant services, including robotic nephrectomy, offered by the hospital in Bengaluru.

The event concluded with a call for collective action for shifting focus from late-stage treatment to prevention and early diagnosis.

President, Rotary Club of Belgaum South, Govind Misale and secretary, Rotary Club of Belgaum South, Rtn. Pranav Krishna Pitre and others were present, according to a release.