Satish Shah, the beloved Bollywood icon who breathed life into every role he played, is no more, but his iconic portrayals continue to live on. While many remember him for Kundan Shah’s cult classic Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron (1983), for countless fans, he will forever be Indravadan Sarabhai from Sarabhai vs Sarabhai.
The veteran actor who was battling kidney issues had undergone a kidney transplant earlier this year, his close friend Sachin Pilgaonkar revealed in an interview with News18.com. He wanted to extend his life to take care of his wife Madhu, who has Alzheimer’s disease. Pilgaonkar said in the interview that Satish was on dialysis and also underwent a successful bypass surgery.
On Saturday, October 25, Shah suddenly collapsed while having lunch, his longtime manager Ramesh Kadatala told ANI in an interview. The actor was subsequently taken to a hospital about half an hour later, where doctors declared him dead,
Satish Shah’s demise has brought kidney failure to the spotlight, a debilitating condition that silently develops and can be life threatening.
Why kidney failure happens
An uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure are among the common reasons for kidney failure in India. The common lifestyle diseases affect the tiny filters inside the kidneys, hampering their function, which may lead to toxin buildup.
According to MayoClinic, kidney failure is a condition in which one or both of your kidneys no longer work on their own. Unfortunately this condition is on rise in India. According to a Lancet report, between 2001–03 and 2010–13, renal failure deaths among Indians aged 15–69 rose from 2.1% to 2.9% of total deaths, translating to about 136,000 deaths nationally in 2015.
“Kidney failure is what happens when CKD runs its full course and the kidneys just give up. They stop filtering out toxins, messing up the body’s fluid balance, blood pressure, hemoglobin and triggering a bunch of serious problems,” Dr Uday Dipakrao Gajare, Consultant Nephrologist & Transplant Physician, Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology Vizag, told Financial Express.com.
“Diabetes, a primary driver of kidney disease, affects millions, yet many remain unaware of its link to renal failure. Early detection through routine blood and urine tests can slow CKD’s progression, but public knowledge remains limited,” Dr. B. Vijay Kiran, Medical Director – Sr Consultant Nephrologist & Transplant Physician, Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology Siliguri (West Bengal) told Financial Express.com.
While dialysis or kidney transplant help improve quality of life, the best shot is to stop the disease from getting that far. It’s important to look for warning signs.
Warning signs of kidney disease
To catch kidney disease early, it’s important to pay attention to symptoms. Fatigue, nausea and vomiting, swelling, changes in bathroom habits, and brain fog, indicate trouble in kidney function, meaning they are not filtering wastes and toxins.
“Kidney damage creeps up without warning. You usually don’t notice anything until it’s already serious. Still, there are a few clues: swelling in your feet or face that won’t go away, always feeling tired, not wanting to eat, changes in how you pee or unusually frothy urine, trouble sleeping or focusing, a sudden jump in blood pressure. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney issues, you need to get your kidneys checked every year,” says the expert.
The best approach is to care for your kidneys, manage lifestyle diseases well, and take appropriate measures for maintaining their function.
How to care for your kidneys
As per Dr Gajare, basic habits go a long way in maintaining kidney function for a long time.
“Drink enough water, usually 8-10 glasses a day, unless your doctor says otherwise. Watch your sugar and salt. Stay active, keep your weight in check, and don’t overdo it on painkillers or herbal supplements. Regular check-ups to monitor kidney health and blood pressure can make a huge difference,” he says.
Kidney issues are often silent and are not detectable until too late. It’s important to not miss the subtle signs and manage chronic issues like diabetes and blood pressure well.
