By Tamesha Doughty on Monday, 21 March, 2022 at 07:58 PM

Barbadians are reminded to prioritize their kidney health as March – National Kidney Awareness Month – nears end.

Member of the Barbados Kidney Association, Anthony Sobers said that there are about 20,000 Barbadians with stages one to four and a further 400 with stage five of the disease.

“The cost to taxpayers is 18 million dollars annually to provide dialysis and should 10 per cent [of persons] with stages one to four of the disease move to stage five, the annual cost to taxpayers is projected to rise in excess of 100 million dollars,” he added.

Sobers encouraged Barbadians to reduce their salt and sugar intake, monitor their blood pressure, exercise regularly, limit process foods in their diet, drink plenty of water daily and ensure their annual medical examinations include their kidneys.

Kidney disease is diagnosed by a means of blood and urine tests, and is characterized by vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, shortness of breath, swollen feet, and persistent itching.