PT Health Life – Kidney disease is a non-communicable disease, often called the “silent disease” because signs and symptoms are often not obvious until the kidneys have been damaged. Here are nine ways to keep your kidneys healthy and slow the progression of the disease.
When the kidneys fail, lifelong dialysis or a kidney transplant is needed.
With good management and new treatments, kidney disease can be prevented and controlled.
1. Know what puts you at risk for kidney disease
Diabetes or high blood sugar in the body is the number one risk factor for kidney disease . Hypertension is also closely linked to kidney disease. Other risks include heart disease, obesity, family history, past kidney damage and aging… As we age, the kidneys lose some of their function.
When your kidneys do not function normally, you may experience:
- Fatigue, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Dry and itchy skin.
- Urinate more often.
- Blood in urine.
- Puffiness around eyes.
- Swelling of the ankles and feet.
- Muscle cramps.
Physical warning signs of kidney disease are rare. Most kidney disease is detected through blood tests. However, if you have foam or blood in your urine, you may have a kidney disorder. People with kidney stones may experience sharp pain that radiates to the groin area. The US National Kidney Foundation says stones increase the risk of kidney disease.
Dr. Michelle Josephson, nephrologist, University of Chicago Medical School, USA, said that you should ask your doctor or pharmacist about the effects of the drugs you take on your kidneys. Some immunotherapy drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics and other drugs can increase the risk of kidney disease.
2. Talk to your doctor about how to prevent and treat kidney disease
If you have diabetes, prediabetes, hypertension, a family member with kidney disease or other risk factors, have your kidney function checked with blood and urine tests.
Kidney disease often progresses silently, so testing is the only way to know if you are damaged or not. The results will tell you how well your kidneys are working.
More specifically, a blood test will tell you how well your kidneys filter blood by measuring creatinine – a protein made by muscles that is normally filtered and excreted in urine. When the kidneys do not function properly, creatinine levels build up in the blood. A urine test can detect whether protein passes into the urine when the kidneys are damaged.
In addition, it is necessary to monitor and control blood sugar, blood pressure and weight and make healthy lifestyle changes.
3. Control blood sugar levels
The number one cause of kidney failure is diabetes, which can damage cells and blood vessels in the kidneys. Kidney disease is a common complication of diabetes. Dr. Susan Quaggin, head of the division of nephrology and hypertension at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, USA, said that diabetes accounts for nearly half of new kidney failure cases diagnosed each year.
An A1C test measures average blood sugar levels over the past three months. It’s important to know whether you’re at risk for diabetes or prediabetes, as well as how well you’re managing your diabetes.
4. Control blood pressure
High blood pressure or hypertension is often associated with kidney disease. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, about half of American adults have high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is consistently high, you should have your kidney function checked.
High blood pressure is a very common problem. By staying active, avoiding too much salt, and taking medications as prescribed, you can help lower your blood pressure. It is important to check your blood pressure regularly.
5. Choose healthy foods to protect your kidneys
Eating a healthy diet is important for overall health, but if you have kidney disease or are at risk for it, pay special attention to nutrition. You may even need to consult a dietitian with experience in kidney health to learn how to avoid foods that affect the kidneys’ ability to filter blood and remove waste from the body.
The diet should be low in salt. Salt can cause high blood pressure, especially if you have narrowing of the blood vessels. So avoid adding salt to food and eat fresh foods instead of preserved products that contain large amounts of salt and sugar. Skip fatty meats and buy items labeled “reduced sodium” or “low sodium.”
Reduce sugar in your diet. There is a direct link between too much sugar and diabetes, which can cause kidney disease. Drink water instead of cola and sweet fruit drinks. Remember that many condiments are high in sugar and sodium and should be minimized.
Finally, pay attention to the amount of protein you eat. Too much can damage the kidneys, causing them to overwork. The amount of healthy protein to eat depends on your body size and activity level, so talk to your doctor about this.
6. If you have kidney disease, limit foods that are not good for your kidneys
The mineral potassium has many roles, including helping the body maintain normal fluid levels inside cells, influencing blood pressure and controlling muscle contractions. However, for people with kidney damage, too much potassium can overload the kidneys and cause damage to the heart. Stay away from dried fruit, baked potatoes, lentils, bananas and milk. Again, talk to your doctor for this information.
People with kidney disease also need to limit phosphorus. Along with calcium, it’s needed to build strong bones and keep you healthy, but too much can cause damage to your kidneys that makes it difficult to eliminate. Phosphorus is often used as a food additive or preservative and can be found in bottled beverages and prepackaged and canned processed foods. It is not required to be listed on food labels, but you may see words that begin with phos indicating hidden phosphorus. You should talk to your doctor or nutritionist about how much is too much.
If you have advanced kidney disease, you should closely follow the recommendations of your nephrologist and dietitian. In general, avoid foods high in sugar, potassium and phosphorus and maintain a heart-healthy diet. Depending on the stage of the disease, protein and fluid intake may also need to be limited.
7. Get enough exercise to help control blood sugar and blood pressure
Like good eating habits, exercise is important for overall health and can keep your kidneys healthy or prevent further damage. Continuous physical activity such as walking, swimming and cycling helps improve blood pressure, blood sugar, lower cholesterol, and maintain a healthy weight. Low-level strengthening exercises with weights will also improve overall health. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise plan, but your goal is usually to exercise at least five days a week for 30 minutes each day.
8. Stop smoking
Smoking is harmful to overall health. According to a 2010 study published in BMC Public Health, smoking increases the risk of kidney disease.
If you already have kidney problems, smoking will make them worse. It damages blood vessels, slows blood flow to the kidneys and other organs, and causes kidney irritation. It may interfere with medications used to lower blood pressure.
9. Get enough sleep
Sleep is important for overall health and well-being. It provides more energy, makes you more focused, improves blood pressure and controls appetite.
New research has linked sleep deprivation and sleep disorders to higher rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and kidney failure. People who sleep less often have kidney function decline more quickly.
Researchers found that kidney function is regulated by the sleep-wake cycle, which may help coordinate the kidney’s workload.
