World Kidney Day is celebrated this Thursday (9) and carries the message about the importance of being aware of kidney diseases, especially with regard to prevention, early diagnosis and proper treatment.
According to the SBN (Brazilian Society of Nephrology), this year’s focus is “caring for the vulnerable and being prepared for unexpected challenges”. Thinking about it, the R7 separated seven symptoms that are a clear sign of chronic kidney disease.
However, first, it is essential to understand the relevance of the kidneys to the human body.
According to Milena Vasconcelos, a nephrologist at BP – A Beneficência Portuguesa de São Paulo, these organs perform fundamental functions, such as filtering all the blood in the body and eliminating toxins from the body.
“They work to maintain our body’s electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, bicarbonate, etc. They maintain water, excrete some substances, such as medications, and release a hormone called erythropoietin, which is responsible for producing of red cells in our body, like haemoglobin”, explains Milena.
And he adds: “They are also responsible for the production of calcitriol, which is the active vitamin D, responsible for our body’s bone health. And, along with the heart, they play a key role in controlling our blood pressure.”
CKD (chronic kidney disease) is the most common condition, affecting one in ten people worldwide, according to SBN data. However, it is considered an extremely silent disease.
“In the initial stages there are no symptoms at all, it is a completely silent and progressive disease. You start to have symptoms when the kidney has already lost 50% of its functionality”, warns the nephrologist.
In Brazil, according to the recent estimate (2022) by the SBN, the number of patients with advanced CKD is increasing and, currently, more than 140,000 patients undergo dialysis in the country.
There are also other common conditions that affect the kidney, such as calculi (stones) and glomerulonephritis.
In either case, there are specific groups that cannot ignore any indication of kidney problems, as they are more likely to develop them. Are they:
• Hypertensive;
• Diabetics;
• People with a family history of chronic kidney disease;
• Individuals diagnosed with obesity;
• Anyone with a history of circulatory system disease (coronary disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, heart failure)
• Smokers.
Generally speaking, the 7 symptoms that no one, but especially risk groups, should ignore, because they can indicate a DCR, are:
• foamy urine (it is both a sign of chronic kidney disease and glomerulonephritis, known as nephritis);
• Blood in the urine;
• High glucose;
– Pressure often above 140 mmHg by 90 mmHg (high) – popularly, 14 by 9;
• Alteration of the level of consciousness (due to high urea);
• Elevated blood triglyceride level;
• Anemia (accompanied by weakness and tiredness).
Other possible signs are swelling (mainly on the legs), cramps e somnolence.
Prevention
The best way to prevent the disease, according to Milena, is to maintain some healthy habits, such as ingesting at least 2L to 3L of water per day, avoiding anti-inflammatory drugs (it is the most toxic medication for the kidney) and smoking, in addition to reducing sugar consumption.
People with a family history of chronic kidney disease or present in the risk group should take the creatinine test (evaluates kidney health) earlier and annually. Already the general population, should make the annual test after 40 years.
“The two main causes of kidney disease are high blood pressure and diabetes, so the classic prevention is not having hypertension and diabetes. If you already have it, you have to go to the nephrologist as soon as possible to minimize these effects, so as not to progress to a DCR” , concludes Milena.
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