Importance of Critical Illness Insurance for Kidney Failure

Kidneys are the most vital internal organs for the effective functioning of the human body. Today's lifestyle changes have made our kidneys vulnerable to various diseases, resulting in partial damage or ultimate failure.

The primary work of the kidney is to extract and excrete waste from our bodies. The inability to remove wastes from our bodies is kidney failure. Such failure affects the imbalance of fluids in our system, leaving adverse effects on our health condition.

To ensure its proper functioning, we must provide extra care and support. Most cases result from improper self-care. Over time, the kidneys lose their optimal functioning capacity, similar to wear and tear in machines. Medically, kidney failure is the last stage of chronic health disease. 

Proper planning with insurance has been a lifesaver in all cases. We will help you understand the causes, treatments and importance of health insurance in such uncertainties. 

In Indian Context:

In India, kidney failure is the eighth leading cause of death. According to Sanjay K. Agarwal, Professor, and Head of Nephrology, AIIMS 1 in 10 people suffer from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), and about 1,75,000 cases are reported every year. 

As per the report of World Kidney Day, 8-10% of the entire adult population suffers from some form of kidney disease. 

Many factors, such as allergies, improper medications, and exposure to environmental pollutants, cause kidney failure.

Causes for Kidney Failure:

As per the Clinical Kidney Journal, the leading causes of kidney failure are:

• Diabetes (25%)
• Chronic interstitial disease (23.2%)
• Unknown reasons (19.5%)

Diabetes makes up the primary reason for Kidney Failure in both rural and urban areas.

Impact on Quality of Life:

Kidneys help to maintain the balance of water and minerals in our bodies. If your kidneys stop working suddenly, it is called Acute Renal Failure or Acute Kidney Failure. Some effects of acute kidney failure on our bodies are:

• Blood Loss
• Severe Infection
• Enlarged Prostate 

If we understand the causes behind renal failure, we could avoid or limit the surrounding risks. Some of them include:

• Urine backed up in kidneys
• Improper or no blood flow to the kidney
• Difficulty in urine output 
• Dehydration and allergies because of irrelevant medicine consumption 

How to Detect Kidney Failure (Early Symptoms):

• Decreased urine output 
• Shortness of Breath
• Chest pain or pressure 
• Nausea Swelling
• Vomiting and diarrhoea 

Preventive Measures:

It is always considered best to adopt a healthy lifestyle to avoid such diseases. Some of the basic preventive measures against kidney failure can be:

• A proper and healthy diet
• Manage Stress
• Regular exercise
• Reduce salt intake 
• Limit alcohol and smoking

But if one suffers kidney failure, they can opt for the treatment options available.

Treatments for Kidney Failure:

It is possible to treat kidney disease or infections. However, if the disease is in the last stage, it becomes extremely hard, if not impossible, to cure it. But you can undertake treatments to control symptoms, reduce complications and slow down the failure rate. 

So, in such cases, the ultimate treatment will be:

• Dialysis 
• Kidney Transplant 

Cost of Treatment:

• In minor treatments such as haemodialysis, they flush toxins from the body out via artificial methods. This usually requires 8-12 sittings per month, which costs around 2000-5000 INR per sitting.
• Dialysis: A patient usually requires 2-3 admissions per week for dialysis for over a year. Generally, the average cost for this ranges around Rs 5,00,000. 
• Kidney Transplant: In any reputed private hospital in a Tier -1 city, the cost of kidney transplants is supposed to be around Rs 5,00,000 to Rs 10,00,000.

Over the years, the cost of any medical expense in India has exponentially increased provided the technology, and the quality has improved proportionally well. Hence, the demand for insurance for kidney failure has also increased.

Importance of Insurance for Kidney Failure:

Without health insurance, it becomes difficult for an individual to bear the financial expenses for treatment. Hidden costs, medication and post-treatments pile up to worsen the economic situation.

Regular health insurance rarely covers kidney-related ailments. However, a Critical Illness Cover can provide a lump sum amount to meet the costs of treatment, care and diagnosis of kidney disease. Many benefits, such as pre and post hospitalisation charges, are covered under this policy. Even though premiums are a little high for such insurance covers, choosing a critical illness policy is a wise decision in the long run.

Niva Bupa offers a variety of such insurance policies with many customisations and benefits as per the customer's requirements. So Critical illness Insurance from a reputed policy provider like Niva Bupa will help you tackle uncertainties. Insurance premiums matter during the coverage of the illness. Niva Bupa is a one-stop solution to all your insurance requirements.