You may think that the kidneys' sole job is to filter out harmful and toxic substances from the body, but in fact they also regulate blood pressure, protect bones, and maintain electrolyte and fluid balance, as well as other functions. Unfortunately, one in three people in Western countries is at risk of chronic kidney disease; most often this disorder develops as a result of another disease (such as diabetes or heart disease) and progresses over time over several months or years. However, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of this dangerous disease occurring.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Improving Nutrition
Step 1. Reduce your sodium intake
Check how much you eat and limit yourself to 2,300 mg per day, which is equivalent to a teaspoon of salt. If you consume too much, fluids build up in your body, causing swelling and shortness of breath. Try seasoning dishes with spices and herbs instead of salt, and cut back on foods that are particularly rich in salt, including:
- Sauces;
- Salty snacks;
- Cold cuts and cold cuts;
- Ready and canned foods.
Step 2. Limit your sugar intake
Some studies have found that this substance plays an important role in obesity and diabetes, both of which lead to chronic kidney failure. To reduce the intake, always read the labels of the products you buy, as many contain sugar even when they are not considered sweet foods; for example, some condiments, breakfast cereals, and white bread have them in large quantities.
- Remember to also limit soft drinks, as they contain a high percentage of sugar - as well as phosphorus additives that are harmful to the kidneys - and offer no nutritional value.
- Keep in mind that added sugars can come in many different forms; in fact, there are at least 61 different names that you can find in the ingredient lists of various products, such as sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, barley malt, dextrose, maltose, rice syrup, glucose, cane juice and others still.
Step 3. Cook your meals
When you prepare the dishes yourself, you can choose whole grains, fruits and vegetables that have undergone a minimal processing process. Packaged foods that have been industrially processed are rich in sodium and phosphorus additives that are harmful to the kidneys; commit to eating 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day.
Generally speaking, consider the volume of a serving of fruit or vegetables like the palm of your hand; a serving is approximately the amount of food you can hold in your hand
Step 4. Don't eat saturated fat proteins
Some research is still studying the connection between high-protein diet and chronic kidney disease; While you shouldn't avoid getting any protein or fat, you should reduce the amount of red meat, whole dairy and saturated fat by eating them only a few times a week. If you have kidney disease, your organs have to work harder to break down the waste produced by eating and digesting meat. Among the foods rich in saturated fat consider:
- Processed meat: cold cuts, sausages and cured meats;
- Butter, ghee (clarified butter) and lard;
- Cream;
- Aged cheeses;
- Palm and coconut oil.
Step 5. Eat unsaturated fats
You don't have to completely avoid fats; unsaturated ones, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (which include omega-3s), can reduce cholesterol and consequently also limit the risk of heart disease, which in turn can lead to kidney failure. To incorporate unsaturated fats into your diet, eat:
- Fatty fish: salmon, mackerel, sardine;
- Avocado;
- Nuts and seeds,
- Sunflower, canola and olive oils.
Part 2 of 3: Making Lifestyle Changes
Step 1. Get physical
Being obese or overweight can increase the risk of chronic kidney disease. You should exercise to lose weight and lower blood pressure, both of which help reduce the chances of developing kidney disease. i Make a commitment to do at least two and a half hours of moderate physical activity each week.
- Some studies have found that obese people are twice as likely to suffer from chronic kidney disease; if your BMI exceeds 30, you are considered obese.
- For moderate exercise you can consider walking, cycling and swimming.
Step 2. Avoid tobacco
You may think that smoking mostly damages the lungs, but it can also cause heart disease. heart disease, strokes and heart attacks are all problems that put the kidneys to a greater work, with the consequence of developing some insufficiency. Fortunately, quitting smoking can slow the development of some kidney disease.
If you just can't stop, go to your doctor to find therapies to help you stop this habit. your doctor may recommend nicotine patches or psychotherapy
Step 3. Limit your alcohol consumption
When you drink alcohol, your blood pressure and cholesterol go up, promoting high blood pressure and potentially causing kidney failure as well. While you shouldn't stop drinking alcohol completely, you should still reduce your alcohol intake to one drink per day (if you're a woman) or two (if you're a man under 65).
One drink is equivalent to 350ml of beer, 150ml of wine or 45ml of spirits
Step 4. Get regular checkups
Since kidney diseases are difficult to detect until they are advanced, you should visit your doctor regularly for routine tests. If you are healthy, you have no predisposition to any disease, you are not overweight and you are under 30, you should get examined every 2 or 3 years; if you are healthy, you are between 30 and 40 years old, you should see your doctor every two years, while an annual check-up is necessary when you reach the age of 50, as long as you are in good health.
If you have already been diagnosed with any other chronic illness, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease, it is vital that you work with your doctor to manage the condition, as it could lead to chronic kidney disease
Step 5. Take pain medications correctly
Analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can harm your kidneys if you take them in high doses for a long time; a massive amount taken for a limited time can temporarily reduce kidney function. If you are taking aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen, ketoprofen or naproxen sodium, follow the instructions on the leaflet regarding the dosage.
- Ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen fall into the same drug class; Therefore, taking a combination of these medicines at the same time can cause kidney problems.
- Paracetamol (like Tachipirina) is metabolized by the liver, not the kidneys, so you should opt for this drug if you have kidney problems (at least as long as you don't have liver disease).
- Always consult your doctor when you want to take a drug, because painkillers - even those that are over the counter - can interfere with other medicines.
Part 3 of 3: Recognizing Kidney Disease and Getting Treated
Step 1. Pay attention to the symptoms of chronic kidney disease
You may not notice them right away, as this condition takes some time to fully develop. In particular, pay attention to:
- Increased or decreased frequency of urination;
- Exhaustion;
- Nausea;
- Dry, itchy skin in any area of the body
- Obvious traces of blood in the urine or dark, foamy urine;
- Muscle cramps and fasciculations
- Swelling of the eyes, feet and / or ankles
- Feeling confused
- Difficulty breathing, concentrating or sleeping.
Step 2. Examine the risk factors
While preventing kidney disease is important for anyone, it is even more important if you have any predisposition. Risk factors increase if you have a previous history of high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease; for example, African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans are at greater risk of suffering from this disorder, as are people over the age of 60.
Additionally, if you have a family history of kidney disease, you are more likely to develop those that have a genetic component
Step 3. Seek medical attention
Since many symptoms of chronic kidney failure are similar to other conditions, it is important to have a medical check-up if you have any. The doctor may request a urine and blood test to check kidney function and can tell from the results of the tests whether it is indeed nephropathy or if you suffer from some other disorder that causes similar symptoms.
Tell him about your medical history, if you are taking any medications, and share any concerns you have about kidney health
Step 4. Stick to the treatment plan
If the doctor diagnoses chronic kidney disease, it is important to take action on the pathology that caused it; for example, if you have a bacterial infection that causes symptoms, you need to take antibiotics. However, given that kidney disease is chronic, the doctor can only treat the complications that arise from it.
- If the condition is severe, dialysis or even a kidney transplant may be required.
- Your doctor can prescribe medications to manage complications; in particular, therapies may be needed to treat hypertension, anemia, lower cholesterol, relieve swelling, and protect bones.
