2024-08-07 06:04:41
#. Mr. A (72) was diagnosed with decreased kidney function due to increased creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, decreased glomerular filtration rate, proteinuria and hematuria in a recent checkup. Mr. A, who suffered from high blood pressure and diabetes, thought that these were diseases that naturally occurred with age and did not pay attention to controlling blood pressure or diabetes. Recently, he felt tired, had swollen body, and had decreased urine output, but he thought it was because he was getting older.
As we age, our kidney function may naturally decline due to aging. However, if we do not properly manage our underlying disease or monitor our kidney function, like Mr. A, it can lead to chronic kidney disease, so we must be careful.
Looking at the 2022 prevalence rate of chronic kidney disease from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, it can be seen that it is relatively more prevalent in the elderly: 1.3% in their 20s, 4.0% in their 30s, 3.7% in their 40s, 8.1% in their 50s, 9.8% in their 60s, and 21.6% in their 70s and older.
In addition, the number of patients in 2022 was 296,397, a 116.4% increase from 137,003 in 2012, and medical expenses were 2.3 trillion won, an increase of more than 1 trillion won over 10 years.
If proper diabetes management is not achieved, blood sugar control may not be adequate, which may lead to diabetic nephropathy, and cardiovascular diseases including hypertension and arteriosclerosis may damage renal blood vessels and blood flow, negatively affecting renal function and leading to kidney disease. In addition, some of the various medications taken to treat chronic diseases may put a strain on the kidneys.
In addition, complex factors such as recurrent urinary tract infections, chronic inflammation, lack of physical activity, nutritional imbalances, exposure to toxins, and family history can cause kidney disease.
According to Dr. Kim Min-ji, head of the Artificial Kidney Center at Daedong Hospital (nephrology specialist), “As we age, we are more susceptible to various diseases, but kidney disease often has few symptoms in the early stages, so regular checkups and consistent preventive management are essential.” She also advised, “Even if there is no family history, if you are prescribed medication for a chronic disease or experience unusual symptoms in your body, you should definitely consult with your doctor to check your health condition.”
Symptoms of kidney disease include ▲fatigue and lethargy ▲foamy urine ▲decreased urine output ▲lower extremity edema ▲loss of appetite ▲itching ▲nausea and vomiting, but symptoms rarely appear in the early stages and appear after the disease has progressed considerably.
Since regular monitoring is important, kidney condition should be checked periodically through blood tests such as creatinine and glomerular filtration rate and urine tests such as proteinuria.
If you have a chronic disease such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease, you should consistently manage it according to your doctor’s instructions and always consult with your doctor when taking new medication or changing existing medication.
Avoid foods high in sodium, sugar, and saturated fat, maintain a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, etc., and be sure to pay attention to water intake.
Regular physical activity has a positive effect on overall health, so choose an exercise that suits your physical strength and do it for more than 30 minutes a day. Also, quit smoking and drinking and get regular health checkups.
Reporter Jo Yu-kyung, Donga.com, [email protected]
2024-08-07 06:04:41