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Kidney disease is more common than you think

Writer's picture: Jay BlumJay Blum

According to Alvine Taylor, PA UPMC Pa, the belief that kidney illness is uncommon is incorrect. Nearly a third of Americans are at risk for renal failure due to a combination of conditions. "In fact, kidney disease complications kill more people each year than breast cancer and colon cancer combined," Taylor warned.


Chronic Kidney Disease affects 37 million Americans, according to statistics from the National Institute of Health.


Our kidneys filter around 200 quarts of blood per day and convert waste into urine, making them vital to our overall health and well-being. "They also help preserve electrolytes like salt and potassium, as well as the body's water content at a constant, consistent level," says Dr. Shawn McGlaughlin, MD, Family Medicine of Evangelical-Mifflinburg and Medical Director, Primary Care, Evangelical Community Hospital. They also "produce hormones that assist in the maintenance of appropriate blood pressure and red blood cell levels."


According to Dr. Jamie Green, Geisinger Medical Center — Nephrology, the greatest method to maintain the kidneys healthy is to prevent developing problems like high blood pressure or diabetes, which can damage the kidneys in the long run. "These disorders weaken the kidneys over time," Green explained, adding that they can eventually lead to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).


Green encourages people to stick to a diet and exercise regimen that will improve their overall health. "Exercise for at least 30 minutes most days of the week, quit smoking, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid some over-the-counter pain relievers known as NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen and naproxen." All of these things can help you avoid getting CKD."


Small dietary modifications are also recommended by the National Institute of Health to keep the kidneys from working too hard. Look for phrases like sodium free or salt free on food labels, as well as low, reduced, or no salt or sodium, and unsalted or lightly salted. Limit saturated and trans fats as well.


To better control blood pressure, prepare and pick foods that are low in salt and sodium. Rather than buying packaged goods, opt for fresh items. Prepare meals from scratch. Before cooking or eating, rinse canned vegetables, beans, meats, and fish with water. Instead of going for the salt shaker, flavor your cuisine using spices and herbs.


Kidney health is also aided by foods prepared with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil instead of butter. Limiting saturated and trans fats, as well as trimming fat from meat and removing the skin from poultry, are all recommended. Finally, instead of deep frying, you can grill, broil, bake, roast, or stir fry your cuisine.


Minor infections should not be overlooked.

According to McGlaughin, many individuals, particularly women, may get a urinary tract infection at some point in their life. These infections commonly cause urinary bladder difficulties and are easily treated.


Patients regularly suffer from kidney stones. While the stones are easily addressed, McGlaughlin agrees that they can cause severe pain and anguish to people who are affected. Some individuals may benefit from medication, but if the stones are extremely large, a treatment to break up or remove them may be required. Keeping hydrated is a smart method to try to prevent them from forming. Kidney injury is rare as a result of infection or stones.


"The major risk with not treating small or less severe disorders is that they might grow into something considerably more serious, causing damage to the kidneys and other connected organs inside the urinary tract," Alvine Taylor explains. Chronic renal disease can lead to kidney failure and cardiovascular disease if left unchecked.


Failure of the kidneys

"Wastes and fluids build up in the body when the kidneys fail," explains Dr. Jamie Alton Taylor, a nephrologist at Geisinger Danville. Blood pressure becomes difficult to regulate, the body produces fewer red blood cells, and bones deteriorate. Patients become ill as a result of this, and it can even result in death. Swelling of the body, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, itching, and difficulty sleeping are all signs of renal failure.


Kidney Failure, also known as End Stage Kidney Disease, occurs when the kidneys quit working completely (ESKD). Dialysis and transplant are the two most common therapies for kidney failure. The blood is filtered by a machine during dialysis. According to Alton, technical advancements have resulted in "types of dialysis that can be done at home, allowing patients to determine their own treatment schedules."


A kidney transplant is a procedure in which a patient receives a healthy kidney from another person. Relatives, spouses, and acquaintances are frequently living donors. The best treatment for renal failure is a kidney transplant, because patients will live longer and feel better than if they were on dialysis. Kidneys can also be obtained from a dead donor. Due to a paucity of kidneys available for transplant, patients on the waiting list for a kidney may have to wait for many years.


Successfully transplanted kidneys will filter wastes more effectively than dialysis. Transplants, on the other hand, are a treatment, not a cure. Patients must take medications on a daily basis to keep their immune systems from rejecting the replacement kidney.


"One thing I'd want to emphasize is that kidney disease frequently has no symptoms until late in the disease cycle," Green continues. It is possible for someone to have serious renal problems and be completely unaware of it. Checking your kidneys is the only method to find out how they're doing. This is accomplished with a simple blood and urine test. If you have risk factors for kidney disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of renal disease, we recommend getting screened. We also recommend that people over the age of 60 be screened because renal disease worsens with age."

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