January, 2010
Volume 9, Issue 1
Quick Kidney Quips
CONNECTING THOSE WITHIN THE SASKATCHEWAN RENAL COMMUNITY |
Happy New Year! I hope that you and those you love had a restful holiday season. Thank you for your continued support of The Kidney Foundation of Canada Saskatchewan Branch!
Kim Lytle-Manager, Provincial Programs
Ministry of Health Announces New Tobacco Reduction Measures for Saskatchewan* |
The Ministry of Health is investing $1 million per year for three years for a comprehensive tobacco strategy for Saskatchewan with particular focus on protecting children and youth. As part of the government's strategy for a healthier province, new legislation has today been introduced to:
-Prohibit smoking in a vehicle when a person under the age of 16 is present;
-Prohibit tobacco use on school grounds and smoking in enclosed common spaces of multi-unit dwellings;
-Prohibit tobacco sales in pharmacies;
-Prohibit the sale of flavoured mini cigars;
-Prohibit tobacco or tobacco-related products from being visible to the public from outside of a retail premise;
-Prohibit the use of outdoor signs that advertise or promote tobacco or tobacco-related products; and
-Add regulatory making authority to: create smoke-free spaces around doorways, windows or air intakes of enclosed public places; create regulations for indoor signs that indicate the price of tobacco and tobacco-related products at a retail premises; and exempt prescribed signs and items from the restrictions on tobacco advertising and promotion.
"Although Saskatchewan's tobacco use rates have stabilized over the last two to three years, our rates remain high," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "We are committed to reducing tobacco use in this province. We know tobacco use is a significant cause of preventable death in Canada and we want our residents to have long, healthy and productive lives.
"I have asked the ministry to examine options for tobacco reduction initiatives that support the goals of prevention, cessation and protection. Discussions with stakeholders have been ongoing since the budget was announced to develop a co-ordinated provincial tobacco strategy for Saskatchewan."
Other priority actions for the strategy are being determined through discussions with key partners.
For more information visit www.health.gov.sk.ca
Smoking: a risk factor for progression of chronic kidney disease and for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in renal patients* |
Stephan R. Orth*, and Stein I. Hallan
Correspondence: Dr. Stephan R. Orth, Bahnhofstrasse 9, D-83043 Bad Aibling, Germany. Phone: 0049-170-2311948; Fax: 0049-08061-37925; E-mail: stephan.orth@gmx.net
Although it is beyond any doubt that smoking is the number one preventable cause of death in most countries, smoking as an independent progression factor in renal disease has been questioned against the background of evidence-based criteria. This is because information from large, randomized, prospective studies that investigate the effects of smoking on renal function in healthy individuals as well as in patients with primary or secondary renal disease are lacking. Since 2003, a substantial number of clinical and experimental data concerning the adverse renal effects of smoking have been published, including large, prospective, population-based, observational studies. These more recent data together with evidence from experimental studies clearly indicate that smoking is a relevant risk factor, conferring a substantial increase in risk for renal function deterioration. This review summarizes the present knowledge about the renal risks of smoking as well as the increased cardiovascular risk caused by smoking in patients with chronic kidney disease. The conclusion is that smoking is an important renal risk factor, and nephrologists have to invest more efforts to motivate patients to stop smoking.
http://cjasn.asnjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/3/1/226
Smoking not only increases the risk of kidney disease, but it also contributes to deaths from strokes and heart attacks in people with chronic kidney disease.
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/Kudiseases/pubs/yourkidneys/
The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
How can smoking affect chronic kidney disease?* |
Smoking is a major risk factor that can make kidney disease worse. Heavy smoking, in particular, will work against you if you are trying to keep your kidney function for as long as possible.
The effects of smoking in diabetic kidney disease are well documented. Diabetics who smoke tend to develop kidney disease earlier and lose kidney function more quickly than diabetics who do not smoke, or who quit smoking. Smoking has also been shown to hasten the progression of other types of kidney disease. In addition, smoking increases high blood pressure and cardiovascular risks, two health problems that often occur along with kidney disease.
You’ll be taking better care of yourself if you can reduce the amount you smoke — or better yet, quit altogether. If you are willing to quit smoking, talk to your doctor about sustained-release buproprion (Zyban®) and nicotine replacement therapy, as well as counseling or support to help you quit.
http://www.davita.com/kidney-disease/the-basics/a/94
Upcoming Events with The Kidney Foundation – Mark Your Calendar! |
Here are the upcoming events for The Kidney Foundation of Canada, SK Branch. Please call toll free
1-888-664-8588 ext. 23 or email klytle@kidney.sk.ca for further information:
q March 11th – World Kidney Day
q March 18th-22nd - Annual Door to Door Campaign: Donate on-line at www.kidney.ca or call 1-888-664-8588 to volunteer!
q April 18th – Saskatoon Give the Gift of Life Fun Run and Walk – We are looking for individuals to sit on the planning committee for this inaugural event. Gain great experience, great fun and great friends! Call Lynn at 664-8588 ext. 26 for further information or email lshiplack@kidney.sk.ca.
q April 25th - Living Well with Kidney Disease Provincial Conference at the Radisson Inn Saskatoon. Call Kim at 1-888-664-8588 ext.23 to have a brochure mailed to you when available. Watch for details!
q September – Regina Give the Gift of Life Fun Run and Walk – We are looking for individuals to sit on the planning committee for this inaugural event. Gain great experience, great fun and great friends! Call Joan at 306.347.0711 for further information or email jkortje@kidney.sk.ca .
*Please note that The Kidney Foundation of Canada Saskatchewan Branch does not support or endorse any website, article or position listed in this newsletter. It is meant to provide information to assist individuals to make informed decisions. If you have further questions or wish to subscribe please email klytle@kidney.sk.ca . For information on how we respect your privacy see http://www.kidney.sk.ca/home/terms/privacy.html .
