Ways to Keep Kidneys Healthy

Introduction:

Kidneys are around the size of a fist each, but kidneys are vital organs. Kidneys retain the proper ratio of water and other elements in the body, which keeps them healthy. Regretfully, patients may be unaware of kidney problems for a considerable time. Usually, kidney disease does not cause symptoms until it gets worse and becomes irreversible. The two bean-shaped, crimson organs called kidneys are in the middle of the back, on either side of the spine. Their primary function is blood filtration. Kidneys also produce numerous hormones. These hormones help make red blood cells, regulate blood pressure, and activate vitamin D, maintaining strong bones.

What Are the Risk Factors for Renal Illness?

If a person has any of the following risk factors, discuss getting tested with a doctor:

1. Diabetes.

2. Elevated blood pressure.

3. Heart conditions.

4. Chronic kidney disease in the family history.

5. Being overweight.

What Are the Symptoms of Renal Illness?

1. An X-ray of the human body with the kidneys highlighted

2. Someone with kidney disease can experience no symptoms at all. Certain blood and urine tests are the only way to determine if a patient has kidney disease. These tests evaluate the amount of protein in the urine and the blood's creatinine level.

3. In the US, kidney illnesses are one of the main causes of death.

4. Early-stage kidney disease is symptomatic.

5. To screen for kidney disease, specific blood and urine tests are required.

6. With time, kidney disease often becomes worse.

7. It is possible to treat kidney disease. The earlier therapy begins, the better.

8. Kidney failure may develop from kidney disease.

What Suggestions Can Be Advised to the Patient by the Health Care Practitioner?

1. Aim to maintain a blood pressure reading of less than 140/90 mm Hg or whatever the doctor prescribes.

2. Try maintaining blood sugar within the goal range if a patient has diabetes.

3. Get moving—exercise lowers blood pressure and improves blood sugar regulation.

4. If one is overweight, shed some pounds.

5. If patients are at risk, get tested for CKD regularly.

6. Consult a dietician if a patient has chronic kidney disease so that the patient can develop a kidney-healthy dietary plan.

7. The plan might need to be adjusted if health changes or one age.

8. Adhere to doctor's instructions about using prescription drugs, especially angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers, as these can potentially lower blood pressure while protecting kidneys.

9. Give up smoking if a patient does. Smoking can exacerbate renal illness and cause blood pressure-lowering medications to stop working.

10. Add a nephrologist to the medical team.

How to Maintain the Health of Kidneys?

Controlling or avoiding diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure that harm the kidneys can save kidneys. The actions listed below may assist in maintaining the health of the kidneys and the rest of the body.

• Testing may be the only method to determine whether kidneys are healthy because early kidney disease may not exhibit any symptoms. How frequently they should be tested will be determined in part by healthcare practitioners.

• If a patient gets a urinary tract infection (UTI), see a doctor soon. If the illness is not treated, kidney damage could result.

What Consequences Might Renal Illness Cause?

High blood pressure (which can be caused by CKD), low hemoglobin levels (anemia), bone weakening, heart problems, vitamin D deficiency, weight loss, irregular calcium and phosphate levels, and an increased risk of infection are all consequences of kidney disease.

How to Take Care of One’s Kidney?

• Be Careful Not to Take Too Much of Some Medications: NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, include Naproxen and Ibuprofen. If taken too often or in excess, they may cause renal damage. Furthermore, long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for GERD or ulcers increases the risk of developing chronic kidney disease. If a doctor certifies that a patient requires them, then the patient should take them. Use antibiotics with caution, as overuse of these antimicrobial medications can harm kidneys. It is more significant if kidneys are not functioning optimally, but it can still happen even if patients are in excellent health. Certain kinds, such as cephalosporins, sulfonamides, and Penicillin, are more prone to creating issues than others.

• Do Not Take Herbal Supplements: Supplement manufacturers are exempt from proof of safety, and some of their products can harm kidneys. These can be particularly dangerous if patients have renal disease, as they might exacerbate the illness or interfere with the effectiveness of certain medications. Consult a physician before using any herbal supplements.

• Consume Healthily: The kidneys process everything the patient eats or drinks, including unhealthy foods and beverages like high fat, high salt, and high sugar. A poor diet over time can cause kidney-damaging illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and other disorders. A healthy diet comprises few processed foods and abundant fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

• Rethink Salt: This mineral affects people in various ways. It increases the amount of protein in some people's urine, which could aggravate or damage kidneys if the patient already has renal problems. Consuming a lot of salt also increases the risk of kidney stones, which may be highly unpleasant and even harmful if left untreated. High blood pressure is also a common cause of kidney illness.

• Ensure to Be Hydrated: Water aids in transporting waste products, such as pee, to the bladder and vital nutrients to the kidneys. If patients do not drink enough water, kidney stones and infections can result from clogged microscopic filters inside the kidneys. If a patient experiences mild dehydration frequently enough, it can harm the kidneys. The recommended daily intake is four to six cups, but one may require more if one is unwell or outside in the heat.

• Workout: Eating a balanced diet helps avoid diseases that might damage the kidneys, such as diabetes and heart disease. However, do not expect to become a gym rat overnight from being a couch potato. In addition, excessive activity can harm the kidneys if a patient is not ready for it. Aim for 30 to 60 minutes a day, minimum, five days a week. If it has been a long since I have done it, start slowly and consult a doctor first if one has any health concerns.

• Get Examined: Understanding the risk for renal disease is crucial. Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a history of renal failure in the family increases the likelihood. In these situations, physicians may recommend specific kidney tests as part of routine examination. It is easier to treat and occasionally even wholly stop the earlier catch.

• Use Alcohol Caution: A few drinks will not likely harm the kidneys if patients are in good health. However, binge drinking, defined as consuming more than four drinks in less than two hours, can have immediate, detrimental effects as well as perhaps long-term issues. Furthermore, drinking alcohol frequently might dehydrate, which can impair the function of the kidneys and increase the risk of weight gain, liver disease, high blood pressure, and other ailments that strain them.

• Give Up Smoking: Smoking destroys blood arteries, which slows blood flow to the kidneys and increases the chance of kidney cancer. Moreover, smoking may interact with some medications used to treat high blood pressure. This is concerning because renal damage is mainly caused by unchecked hypertension.

• Handle Health Issues: Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two illnesses that impact kidneys the most frequently. Both can be kept under control with a healthy diet and consistent exercise. It is crucial to closely monitor blood sugar levels and administer insulin as needed if one has diabetes. Check blood pressure frequently, and take medications exactly as the physician directs if one has high blood pressure.

Conclusion:

The kidney is an essential organ in the human body. It plays a vital function in producing red blood cells by removing waste from blood. The kidneys retain the proper ratio of water and other elements in the body, which keeps them healthy. Regretfully, one may be unaware of kidney problems for a considerable time. Usually, kidney disease does not cause symptoms until it gets worse and becomes irreversible.