Kidneys – our body filter

Our kidneys perform 5 main functions which are critical for our health:

• Clean waste materials, certain chemicals and toxins from the blood
• Retain or excrete salt and water to maintain homeostasis
• Regulate blood pressure
• Stimulate bone marrow to make red blood cells
• Control the amount of calcium and phosphorous absorbed and excreted

 

But did you know: 

• Kidney disease affects 4 in every 10 people over age 65.
• People with chronic kidney disease are 16 to 40 times more likely to die with severe kidney failure because of complications such as a heart attack or stroke.

 

Most people have no symptoms until the disease is advanced. But a person can lose up to 90% of their kidney function before experiencing any symptoms.

Thus early detection of failing kidney function is crucial because it allows suitable treatment before kidney damage or deterioration manifests itself through other complications.  

 

Early signs that the kidneys may be diseased include blood or protein in the urine or elevated blood pressure readings.

 

Simple laboratory tests can also be done on samples of blood (to measure creatinine (a waste product in the blood which is normally removed by the kidneys) and estimate Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) and the blood sugar so as to be sure of not suffering from diabetes) and on urine (to measure albumin excretion).

 

At the later stage, a patient may have the following symptoms:
- excess fluid retention
- hypertension (high blood pressure)
- toxin elimination problems
- chronic fatigue
- itching with no known cause
- chronic insomnia
- irritability
- loss of appetite
- nausea and vomiting
- iron anemia
- weakness and lack of stamina
- bone softening, bone pain and weakness

 

Kidney diseases are silent killers, which will largely affect our quality of life. There are however several easy ways to reduce the risk of developing kidney disease.

 

Keep fit and active

Keeping fit helps to reduce your blood pressure and therefore reduces the risk of chronic kidney disease.

Keep regular control of your blood sugar level

About half of people who have diabetes develop kidney damage, so it is important for people with diabetes to have regular tests to check their kidney functions and keep control of glucose, blood lipids and anemia.

Monitor your blood pressure
Although many people may be aware that high blood pressure can lead to a stroke or heart attack, few know that it is also the most common cause of kidney damage.

High blood pressure is especially likely to cause kidney damage when associated with other factors like diabetes, high cholesterol and cardio-vascular diseases.

 

Eat healthy and keep your weight in check

This can help prevent diabetes, heart disease and other conditions associated with chronic kidney disease.

 

Reduce your salt intake

So as to lower blood pressure.

 

Maintain a healthy fluid intake 

Consuming plenty of fluid helps the kidneys clear sodium, urea and toxins from the body which, in turn, results in a “significantly lower risk” of developing chronic kidney disease, according to researchers in Australia and Canada. 

Do not smoke
Smoking slows the flow of blood to the kidneys. When less blood reaches the kidneys, it impairs their ability to function properly. Smoking also increases the risk of kidney cancer by about 50 percent.

Do not take over-the-counter pills on a regular basis

Common drugs such non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are known to cause kidney damage and disease if taken regularly.

In addition, try to get your kidney function checked if you have one or more of the 'high risk' factors:

• Have high blood pressure
• Suffer from diabetes
• Have a family history of kidney disease
• Overweight
• Smoke
• Over 50 years of age