Kidneys are important organs that are responsible for excreting waste products and maintaining the water and mineral balance in the body. Nowadays, Thai people are more likely to suffer from kidney disease. especially chronic kidney disease Which is most often caused by diabetes and high blood pressure. Therefore, taking care of kidney health away from deterioration is something that should not be ignored.
get to know the kidneys
In our body, we have two kidneys that are shaped like beans. It acts to filter water, minerals, chemicals and waste that the body doesn’t need. and then excreted in the urine
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function of the kidneys
- get rid of waste
- Absorb and store substances that are beneficial to the body.
- maintain the water balance of the body expels excess water from the body and reabsorbed in dehydration
- Maintain the balance of minerals, acid and alkali of the body.
- Controlling blood pressure Kidney disease can cause high blood pressure.
- Produce and regulate the functions of hormones, whether
- Hormones related to red blood cell formation (Erythropoietin)
- Hormones related to blood pressure regulation (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System)
- Hormones related to calcium balance (Vitamin D and Parathyroid Hormone)
Kidney disease risk factors
- Diabetes: 1 in 3 people with diabetes also has kidney disease. It may detect protein in the urine. decreased kidney function
- High blood pressure In adults, 1 in 5 people will have high blood pressure problems. which most people do not know in which the kidneys are filled with blood vessels High blood pressure also affects kidney function.
- obesity, overweight
- Various vascular diseases, whether heart or brain
- People over 60 years of age have a decreased rate of kidney function.
- People with a family history of kidney disease that can be inherited, such as cysts in the kidneys.
- Patients who often have kidney disease, such as patients with SLE, pharyngitis or various connective tissues
- Patients with a history of drug use or toxins that harm the kidneys
Pickled fish as a seasoning not a drink Warning that eating too salty can increase the risk of kidney failure.
Kidney disease is divided into two types:
1. Acute Kidney Injury, AKI
A condition in which kidney function is rapidly deteriorating. have abnormal kidney values for a short time in hours or days As a result, the kidneys are unable to excrete waste products and impair the function of maintaining the balance of water, minerals, acid and alkaline in the blood, which usually improves in a short time. If fixed in a short time
2. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
A condition in which gradual deterioration of renal function lasting more than 3 months is categorized into five stages and severity of chronic kidney disease based on the Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR). which is the amount of blood flowing through the kidney filter in one minute. (ml/min/1.73 sq m)
- Chronic kidney disease stage I, normal glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is greater than 90 mL/min/1.73 m2.
- Chronic kidney disease stage 2 glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 60 – 89 ml/min/1.73 sq m.
- Chronic kidney disease stage 3 glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 30 – 59 ml/min/1.73 sq m.
- Chronic kidney disease stage 4 glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 15 – 29 ml/min/1.73 sq m.
- Chronic kidney disease stage 5 glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 15 ml/min/1.73 sq m.
cause of kidney disease
1. Diseases that result in reduced blood supply to the kidneys, such as severe blood loss, narrowing of the blood vessels that feed the kidneys
2. Diseases that directly cause kidney dysfunction, such as
- inflammation from infection
- inflammation from non-infectious
- have been exposed to toxins that are harmful to the kidneys, such as toxins or drugs
- arteriosclerosis in glomerulonephritis
3. Kidney disease that affects the urinary tract, such as ureteral abnormalities, gallstones or bladder tumors.
Kidney disease symptoms
- Symptoms caused by the accumulation of waste products such as fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, itchy skin
- unusually little or frequent urination because the ability to drive water is abnormal
- Abnormal urine characteristics such as abnormal color, blood, foaming from protein leaks or have stones out
- Swollen eyes, swollen legs, may be caused by congestion or loss of protein leading to hypoproteinemia.
- Tired easily due to water overload
- high blood pressure
- Cramps, which can be caused by many reasons, such as low blood calcium, anemia, etc.
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check for kidney disease
In screening for kidney disease, your doctor will determine the cause to assess its severity, including:
- Blood test to check the level of waste products in the blood. Check blood balance, acid, base, glomerular filtration rate, etc.
- Urinalysis to measure the amount of protein in the urine (Urine Microalbumin to Creatinine Ratio)
- Examination from photographs such as X-ray, ultrasound (Ultrasound), CT Scan, MRI Scan
- Kidney Biopsy
- Special tests for specific diseases (Special Tests)
kidney care
Even if you don’t have kidney disease, you should have regular check-ups, including recommended kidney function, and keep yourself safe from kidney disease. but if diagnosed and found to have kidney disease Kidney care can be done by
1. Treat according to the cause If the doctor determines that it can be treated, the treatment will be selected based on the strength of the kidneys.
2. Slow down the deterioration of the kidneys, including
- control blood pressure Your doctor will adjust your medication to keep your blood pressure in the proper range. The proper blood pressure varies from person to person.
- control blood sugar levels (blood sugar < 120 mg deciliter or cumulative average sugar (HbA1c <7%)
- strictly control food intake especially protein depending on the degree of kidney degeneration If the kidneys are severely deteriorated, they must be very limited. The diet of kidney disease patients is divided into 2 groups:
- Patients with chronic kidney disease who have not received dialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Doctors often recommend limiting protein. Eat enough to meet the needs of the body without too much. In some cases, the level of waste in the blood is high. Protein restriction along with protein supplementation may be recommended for patients with kidney disease.
- Patients with kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis This group requires more protein than usual. This is because a lot of protein is lost during dialysis and peritoneal lavage.
- The principle of diet for nephrotic patients is to limit protein according to the stage of the disease to slow the deterioration of the kidneys. Avoid foods that may promote electrolyte disturbances, such as fruits and vegetables that are high in potassium. Patients should receive appropriate dietary advice from their doctor or nutritionist.
- Avoid high-sodium foods, such as sauces, as spicy tends to be accompanied by salty. For low sodium products, it is important to read labels carefully. Because most of the salinity substitute used is potassium, which in patients with kidney disease cannot effectively excrete potassium. Abnormal potassium levels directly affect muscle function. especially the heart muscle May cause death of patients from cardiac arrhythmias. In the product labeled as potassium salt instead of sodium, it is not suitable for patients with kidney disease.
- stop smoking very important This is because tobacco is a major risk factor that increases mortality. Cardiovascular disease and kidney disease
- Avoid unnecessary medications, such as pain relievers, bolus pills, and unapproved herbal remedies.
- Assess your drinking water according to your body water state.
- see a doctor regularly
prevent kidney disease
- Choose food in the right proportions. Eat all 5 food groups in the right proportions. Avoid foods that have a lot of salt. In chronic renal patients, the protein ratio should be adjusted according to the stage of the disease.
- Foods with a lot of salt include preserved foods such as sausages, Chinese sausages, Vietnamese sausages, stewed pork, plums, pickled mangoes, etc., since these foods use salt to preserve food. Salt affects kidney function both directly and indirectly.
- Eat foods with unsaturated fats. Avoid animal fats, egg yolks, coconut milk, and vegetable oils high in saturated fatty acids.
- Drink 6-8 glasses of water or 2 liters per day.
- control weight to the standard not causing obesity
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week, such as aerobics, brisk walking, biking, swimming.
- stop smoking
- avoid drinking alcohol
- Check the pressure regularly
- Try to avoid stress and relax.
- annual health check
Preventing kidney disease is the best thing. But if you know that you are at risk, you should see your doctor for a quick check-up and kidney function assessment. and if an abnormality is found You should see a specialist for advice and treatment as soon as possible. It should not be ignored, as the disease can become more serious. As a result, it can become permanent kidney failure.
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Thank you health information from Bangkok Hospital