Shaliendra Tripathi, an Optus executive from Western Sydney, led a healthy lifestyle as a non-drinker and non-smoker. However, he began experiencing persistent headaches after work, which he initially attributed to work-related stress and managed with over-the-counter pain relief. Yet, when the headaches continued, he sought medical advice, only to be informed of high blood pressure without any tests for kidney function.
It wasn’t until 2015, during a routine workplace health check, that Tripathi discovered the alarming truth: his kidney function had diminished to 50%. At age 45, he found himself in the early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD), a revelation that shocked both him and his family. His case underscores a broader concern, as recent statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicate an increase in CKD, with 2.69 million Australians now showing indicators of the disease—a jump of one million in just over ten years.
The ABS report, the first to examine national kidney disease indicators since 2011-12, reveals that 14.2% of adults currently have signs of CKD, up from 10.8% in 2012. Alarmingly, around 2.49 million individuals remain unaware of their condition, while only 7.4% self-report kidney disease. Chris Forbes, CEO of Kidney Health Australia, labelled the trend a public health emergency. He noted that CKD’s prominence as a leading cause of death has surged from the 19th position 25 years ago to the 9th today, with projections indicating it may become the 5th leading cause by 2050, despite being largely preventable.
Managing kidney disease effectively hinges on early detection. High blood pressure and diabetes, which have also risen sharply, are closely linked to CKD. According to Forbes, diabetes is a primary cause of kidney failure, and those with high blood pressure or a family history of kidney problems face increased risks. To combat this alarming trend, Kidney Health Australia is urging all Australians, especially those at heightened risk, to seek kidney health check-ups, as early diagnosis can be lifesaving.
Tripathi attributes his life-saving awareness to the workplace health check, admitting that neglecting symptoms could have led him to dialysis within a few years. With diligent diet management, exercise, and medication, he has been successful in slowing the progression of his disease over the past decade. Despite the natural decline in kidney function with age, Tripathi has maintained about 40% functionality and is committed to raising awareness about kidney health.
He encourages others, stating that an early diagnosis can allow for excellent management and a normal life, affirming, “It’s not the end.”