Despite advancements in healthcare, kidney disease remains one of the most pressing – and often undetected – health challenges in Singapore.
Can you believe that there are half a million people in Singapore suffering from kidney diseases?
Singapore currently ranks fourth globally for kidney disease prevalence with approximately 500,000 people in Singapore suffer from some form of kidney-related illness, with high risks of advancing to kidney failure. Kidney failure cases have surged by 40% since 2014, quietly straining individuals, families, and the healthcare system.
While there are various advancements in healthcare, late diagnosis still poses a great challenge, as kidney disease in its early stages often shows no symptoms. Delayed diagnosis can significantly reduce a patient’s quality of life and place a greater burden on the local healthcare system.
What Is Kidney Disease?
The kidneys play several important roles in the body, such as:
- Filtering waste products from the blood
- Removing waste and excess fluids from the body through urine
- Aiding the body to make red blood cells
- Regulating blood pressure
- Ensuring the balance of minerals in the body
When the kidneys are damaged, they lose the ability to filter waste from the blood. If this happens progressively for at least three months, it is called chronic kidney disease (CKD).
With impaired kidney functions, detrimental waste products and fluids will accumulate in the body. The build-up of the waste can lead to a range of complications such as heart diseases, stroke and kidney failure.
Are You At Risk of Kidney Disease?
There are several common risk factors leading to increased chances of developing kidney diseases. These include individuals with:
1. Diabetes
As one of the most significant contributors to kidney disease in Singapore, excessively high blood sugar levels or diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys.
2. Hypertension
Having high blood pressure for long-term can strain the kidneys and damage the blood vessels within them, leading to kidney disease.
3. Age
Kidney function naturally declines with age. Older individuals usually have more co-morbidities that add to greater risk.
4. Family History
A family history of kidney disease can greatly increase one’s risk of developing kidney issues.
5. Obesity
Being overweight and obese is directly associated with an elevated risk of diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease.
6. Smoking and Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Both smoking and excessive alcohol drinking can damage kidney function over time.
Symptoms to Look Out
Kidney disease is nicknamed a “silent killer” for a reason, as it often shows no symptoms in the early stages. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include:
- Changes in urine colour (foamy, bloody, or cloudy urine)
- More and frequent urination that usual, or less urination than usual
- Swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet
- Fatigue and weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea and vomiting
- Itchy and dry skin
Diagnosing Kidney Disease
Kidney disease is typically diagnosed through a combination of tests:
- Blood tests measure the level of a waste product called creatinine in your body. The creatinine level is used to calculate the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) which measures kidney function.
- Urine tests to check for proteins or blood in the urine.
- Imaging tests such as ultrasound or CT scan can determine any abnormalities or blockage to the kidneys.
- Kidney biopsy may sometimes be necessary to identify signs of damage by observing some kidney tissue samples under the microscope.
Chronic kidney disease is classified into five stages based on estimated glomerular filtration rate, or eGFR. It is an estimate of how much blood your kidneys filter each minute, indicating their overall function – a lower number indicates poorer kidney function.
| eGFR values (ml/min) | Stage of Kidney Disease |
| 90 and higher | Stage 1 |
| 60 to 89 | Stage 2 |
| 30 to 59 | Stage 3 |
| 15 to 29 | Stage 4 |
| Less than 15 | Stage 5 (End-stage kidney failure) |
Preventing Kidney Disease
In a food-loving nation like Singapore, where rich hawker favourites like char kway teow, laksa and roti prata are daily staples, being extra mindful of your food choices . Many of these local dishes are high in sodium, saturated fats, or sugar. All of these contribute to the risk factors behind kidney disease – hypertension and diabetes.
This doesn’t mean you need to swear off hawker food completely though:
- Consider smaller portions and less gravy
- Balance your meal with vegetables or soup bases that are lower in salt
- Choose grilled or steamed options over deep-fried
- Make water your default drink instead of sweetened beverages like teh peng or soft drinks.
In our tropical climate, hydration is another overlooked factor. We lose fluids easily through sweat, especially for those working outdoors or staying active. Drinking enough water daily helps your kidneys flush out toxins effectively.
Beyond food, a sedentary lifestyle and high stress levels (common in urban Singapore) can worsen your risk profile. Carve out time for regular exercise, even if it’s just 30 minutes of walking at the nearest park connector after dinner, or sweating it out at a group class held at the community centre.
If you smoke or drink heavily, know that both can damage kidney function over time. Singapore offers plenty of support to help you cut back. Smoking cessation services are available through HPB programmes, and your doctor can help you manage both smoking and alcohol use safely.
One of the most important yet overlooked tools in kidney disease prevention is regular screening, particularly for people over 40 or those with risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney problems.
To make screenings more accessible, the National Kidney Foundation Singapore (NKFS) runs a Kidney Screening Programme at participating GP clinics. This initiative allows at-risk individuals to undergo a simple urine test and blood test to check their kidney health and to understand their next steps.
Managing and Treating Kidney Disease
Once kidney disease is diagnosed, the treatment depends on the stage and the underlying cause.
The treatment options include:
- Lifestyle Changes
Your doctor and dietitian will guide you on managing your kidney health. This includes everything from adjusting your diet and staying active, to managing blood pressure and avoiding substances that strain the kidneys (like NSAIDs or certain supplements).
- Medications
To control symptoms and complications, medications may be prescribed to help reduce high blood pressure and protein leakage into the urine, as well as to manage other secondary conditions like hyperphosphatemia.
- Dialysis
In individuals with end-stage renal failure, they have lost kidney function almost completely. Dialysis is needed to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood.
- Kidney Transplant
In some cases, a kidney transplant may be necessary. A successful transplant can restore kidney function, but it is invasive and requires lifelong medications to prevent organ rejection by the body.
In Singapore, patients with kidney disease are often supported by a multidisciplinary care team, including nephrologists, dietitians, and case managers who work together to provide holistic care.
Final Thoughts
What is encouraging about kidney disease is that much of it is preventable or manageable, especially when detected early. Understanding the risk factors, recognising the symptoms, and seeking early diagnosis and treatment is important for Singaporeans to tackle this growing health issue.
At the same time, lasting change does not only happen in hospitals or clinics – it starts with everyday decisions. Whether it’s how you eat, how often you move, or when you last saw your doctor, small steps can make the difference.
External References
- Key Statistics. National Kidney Foundation Singapore. https://nkfs.org/about-us/key-statistics/
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) . National Kidney Foundation. Last updated: 11 September 2023. https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd
- Chronic Kidney Disease. NHS Updated: 22 March 2023. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-disease/diagnosis/
- Chronic Kidney Disease. Cleveland Clinic. Updated: 5 July 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15096-chronic-kidney-disease
