What does a kidney do in our body?
The kidney is one of the most important organs of the human body that is meant to eliminate toxins and wastes from the body by filtering blood. It regulates the body’s fluid levels, and has an important role in the direct production of R.B.C., through its hormone Erythropoietin when oxygen in your cells is low and increases blood pressure through another hormone called Renin when your blood pressure falls. The kidney also checks the balance of minerals such as sodium, phosphorus, and potassium in the body.
What are the risk factors that can destroy the health of your kidneys?
Metabolic disorders such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity are the major metabolic risk factors that can affect your kidney. If you have a family history of the above metabolic disorders, please take all the necessary care in terms of healthy food intake, avoiding unhealthy diets, and ensuring at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day for at least five days a week in order to lead a healthy life and lifestyle and prevent such metabolic disorders.
In addition to the above metabolic risk factors in case you are 60 years or older, take foods that are less toxic to kidneys and ensure adequate hydration. Take care of urinary tract infections (UTIs) if any so that you can avoid chronic UTIs.
What are the signs that can signal a kidney disease?
Difficult or painful urination, foamy urine, and blood in urine, indicate the possibility of kidney diseases. Increased urge to urinate, abnormal blood urea and nitrogen levels, swollen face, and extremities (hands, ankles, feet) that indicate fluid retention and kidney compromise.
Non-specific symptoms such as extreme weakness, tiredness, reduced appetite, nausea, vomiting, can also suggest kidney disorders.
What should you do to prevent the incidence of kidney disease or nephropathy?
Control of B.P.
If you are a diabetic, manage your HbA1C levels under control
Reduce salt intake and take a balanced diet.
Avoid prolonged use of drugs like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen, other OTC (over the counter) drugs
Monitor your lipid profile periodically
Ensure you are not overweight
Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake as much as possible.
Exercise regularly.
Avoid red meat consumption to prevent kidney stones.
Ensure you have enough sleep (7-8 hours)
Avoid food with preservatives & other junk packaged food.
If you are a diabetic or have more risk factors as mentioned above, please monitor periodically with the below three tests –
B.P. – to be below 140/90 mm Hg.
Urinary albumin – should be less than 30 mg of albumin per gram of urinary creatinine.
The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) – should be above 90; monitoring is required if it is 60-80. Kidney disease is evident if GFR is below 60 consistently for 3 months.
What are healthy food choices to keep your kidney healthy?
Consume leafy vegetables & fresh home-cooked food
Drink plenty of water to prevent UTI’s & renal stones.
Avoid sugar as much as possible.
Consume fat-free milk or low-fat milk and milk products.
Whole grains such as whole wheat, brown rice, and oats every day can help a healthy kidney
Consume foods low in saturated and trans fats.
Conclusion
Whether it is kidney stones or kidney disease healthy diet which is fat-free, low in sugar and salt and adequate exercise is helpful. But if you are overweight or diabetic or a person with high B.P., you should have control of these lifestyle disorders, especially weight and high sugar levels. If you currently do not have any such ailments but have a family history of one or more of such ailments, take adequate care in hydration, a balanced diet, and adequate physical activity.
If you or your loved ones are suffering from kidney disease, for the best consultation and kidney treatment visit Park Hospital. They are experts in kidney disease treatment and kidney transplants with the latest technologies and expert Nephrologists and Kidney Transplant Surgeons.
