When the kidneys fail, lifelong dialysis or a kidney transplant is required.
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 levels in the body is the number one risk factor for kidney disease. High blood pressure is also closely linked to kidney disease. Other risks include heart disease, obesity, family history, past kidney damage, and aging. As we age, our kidneys lose some of their function.
When your kidneys don't work properly, you may experience:
- Tired, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Dry and itchy skin.
- Urinate more often.
- Blood in urine.
- Bags around the eyes.
- Swollen 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, stabbing pain that comes and goes or radiates to the groin. Kidney stones increase the risk of kidney disease, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
Dr. Michelle Josephson, a nephrologist at the 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, high blood pressure, a family member with kidney disease, or other risk factors, have your kidney function checked with blood and urine tests.
Kidney disease often develops silently, so testing is the only way to know if you have damage. The results will tell you how well your kidneys are working.
More specifically, a blood test will tell you how well your kidneys are filtering your blood by measuring creatinine—a protein made by your muscles that is normally filtered and excreted in your urine. When your kidneys aren't working properly, creatinine builds up in your blood. A urine test can detect whether protein is leaking into your urine when your kidneys are damaged.
Additionally, it is important to monitor and control blood sugar, blood pressure, and weight and make healthy lifestyle changes.
Regularly check kidney function to prevent kidney diseases including kidney failure.
3. Control blood sugar
The number one cause of kidney failure is diabetes, which can damage the cells and blood vessels in the kidneys. Kidney disease is a common complication of diabetes. Diabetes accounts for nearly half of all new cases of kidney failure diagnosed each year, said Susan Quaggin, MD, chief of nephrology and hypertension at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
The A1C test measures your average blood sugar level over the past three months. It is important to know if you are at risk for diabetes or prediabetes, as well as how well you are managing your diabetes.
4. Blood pressure control
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is often linked to 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. Staying active, avoiding too much salt, and taking medication as prescribed can help lower your blood pressure. It is important to have your blood pressure checked 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, you should pay special attention to your nutrition. You may even want to consult a dietitian with experience in kidney health to learn how to avoid foods that affect your kidneys' ability to filter your blood and remove waste from your body.
Your diet should be low in salt. Salt can cause high blood pressure, especially if you have coronary artery disease. So avoid adding salt to your food and eat fresh foods instead of preserved foods that contain high 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 lead to kidney disease. Drink water instead of colas and sweetened juices. Remember that many condiments are high in sugar and sodium and should be minimized.
Finally, pay attention to how much protein you eat. Too much can damage your kidneys and make them work too hard. The amount of protein that is healthy for you depends on your body size and activity level, so talk to your doctor about this.
Physical activity can keep your kidneys healthy or prevent further damage.
6. If you have kidney disease, limit foods that are bad for the 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 heart damage. Stay away from dried fruit, baked potatoes, lentils, bananas, and milk. Again, talk to your doctor about these.
People with kidney disease also need to limit phosphorus. Along with calcium, it is needed to build strong bones and keep you healthy, but too much can damage your kidneys and make it difficult to excrete it. Phosphorus is often used as a food additive or preservative and can be found in bottled drinks and prepackaged and canned processed foods. It is not required to be listed on food labels, but you may see words beginning with phos indicating hidden phosphorus. Talk to your doctor or dietitian about how much is too much.
If you have advanced kidney disease, you should follow the recommendations of your nephrologist and dietitian closely. In general, avoid foods high in sugar, potassium, and phosphorus and maintain a heart-healthy diet. Depending on the stage of your disease, your 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. Regular physical activity such as walking, swimming, and cycling can help improve blood pressure, blood sugar, lower cholesterol, and maintain a healthy weight. Low-impact strength training with weights will also improve overall health. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise plan, but your goal should usually be to exercise at least five days a week for 30 minutes each day.
8. Stop smoking
Smoking is bad for your overall health. According to a 2010 study published in BMC Public Health, smoking increases your 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 irritates the kidneys. It can interfere with medications used to lower blood pressure.
9. Get enough sleep
Sleep is important for overall health and well-being. It gives you more energy, helps you concentrate better, improves blood pressure, and controls your 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 faster declines in kidney function.
Researchers found that kidney function is regulated by the sleep-wake cycle, which may help coordinate the kidney's workload.
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