Introduction:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) includes conditions that lead to kidney damage and affect the ability to filter out waste products present in the blood and stay healthy. As kidney disease worsens, large amounts of waste products build up in the blood, which can cause nausea. Kidney disease also further increases the risk of heart and blood vessel disease. These problems can appear slowly over time. Early detection and treatment can often prevent chronic kidney disease from getting worse. Kidney failure may eventually occur as kidney disease progresses, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant to sustain life. It is a common symptom associated with aging. Anyone can get it, but it is more common in blacks or people of South Asian descent. Chronic kidney disease worsens over time and may eventually lead to complete kidney failure, although this is rare. Many people with CKD can live long lives with this condition.
What Are the Main Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease?
Two-thirds of chronic kidney disease is caused by diabetes and high blood pressure:
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Diabetes Mellitus: Diabetes develops when blood sugar levels are too high. Over time, uncontrolled blood sugar levels, including the kidneys, heart, blood vessels, nerves, and eyes, lead to severe organ damage.
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Hypertension: Hypertension occurs when blood pressure increases in the walls of blood vessels. If left uncontrolled or poorly controlled, high blood pressure can be a leading cause of heart attack, stroke, and chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease can also lead to the development of high blood pressure.
What Is Sodium?
Sodium is an abundant element present on Earth. When most people think of sodium, they think of salt. Salt is a mineral compound called sodium chloride. The foods people eat may contain sodium chloride (salt) or other forms of sodium. Suppose a person has chronic kidney disease (CKD). In that case, their doctor or dietitian may advise them to follow a low-sodium diet restricting salt and other sodium-containing ingredients. Sodium is one of the body's three main electrolytes (the other two being potassium and chloride). Electrolytes control the flow of fluid in and out of the tissues and cells of the body. Salt is the major source of electrolytes. Sodium contributes to:
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Regulation of blood pressure and blood volume.
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Helps transmit impulses for nerve function and muscle contraction.
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Regulation of acid-base balance in blood and body fluids.
What Is the Effect of Sodium on People With Kidney Disease?
Sodium is essential for the above bodily functions. Still, too much sodium can be harmful to people with kidney disease because the kidneys cannot remove excess sodium and fluids from the body. When sodium and fluid build up in the tissues and bloodstream, the blood pressure rises, and one may feel sick. High blood pressure can further damage unhealthy kidneys. This damage impairs the function of the kidneys, further increasing the accumulation of fluid and waste products in the body. Other sodium-related complications include:
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Difficulty Breathing: Fluid may accumulate in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.
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Heart Failure: Excess fluid in the bloodstream can overload the heart, causing it to enlarge or weaken.
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Edema: Swelling of feet, hands, face and heart failure.
How to Manage Sodium in Renal Diet?
If a patient is in the early stages of chronic kidney disease, their doctor and nutritionist will monitor their blood pressure. Sodium restriction is recommended if a person has high blood pressure or fluid retention. If a person has stage 5 chronic kidney disease and requires dialysis, they will be asked to follow a low-sodium diet. The diet helps control blood pressure and fluid intake. Controlling sodium intake helps prevent seizures and a drop in blood pressure during dialysis. A nutritionist will determine how much sodium one can consume each day and advise on how to adjust that amount in the diet.
Salt Substitution:
Consult a nutritionist before starting to use salt substitutes. Certain substitutes may contain potassium, and potassium may need to be avoided in a renal diet, especially if potassium levels are too high. Inform the nutritionist if already using a salt substitute.
Other Tips to Manage Sodium Intake:
One of the most important things one can do is consult a nutritionist. A registered dietitian can help determine the sodium content of one's favorite foods and suggest ways to reduce the sodium intake. Learn how to season foods with low-salt ingredients and how much sodium is safe to include in diet.
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Maintain a food record to track personal nutritional goals.
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Read food labels to find out how much sodium the food contains. Hidden sodium is also found in foods that do not taste salty. Limit the consumption of processed, frozen, and canned foods in the diet.
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Be careful with drinks that contain sodium.
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Try to flavor the food with fresh herbs and other spices.
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Tell the doctor about any weight changes or swelling.
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Be careful when eating at restaurants. Ask for condiments and dressings, and avoid cured meats and soups. Watch out for cooked meals high in sodium and instead cook them and freeze them for later meals.
What Is the Effect of Reducing Dietary Salt in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients?
Reducing salt in the diet lowers blood pressure and reduces proteinuria (excess protein secretion in urine) in patients with chronic kidney disease. It might lead to reduced chances of its progression to advanced-stage kidney disease.
How Much Salt a Day Can a Patient With Kidney Condition Eat?
It is suggested that people should consume around 2300 milligrams to maintain healthy levels of blood pressure. For individuals with high blood pressure or kidney disease, 1500 milligrams may be more appropriate.
Conclusion:
Excessive salt intake increases extracellular volume, leading to elevated blood pressure in both the general population and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), including those undergoing dialysis. Hypertension is thought to worsen the prognosis. Sodium restriction is recommended for hypertension and fluid retention. If a person has stage 5 chronic kidney disease and requires dialysis, they will be asked to follow a low-sodium diet. The diet helps control blood pressure and fluid intake.
