Kidney disease is the fastest growing non-communicable disease in the United States, according to. american kidney foundationKidney disease affects 37 million Americans, or 15% of all adults. It is often called a “silent epidemic” because there are usually no signs or symptoms until the kidneys are already damaged. Lifelong dialysis or a kidney transplant is required when the kidneys fail. With proper management and new treatments, kidney disease can be prevented and managed. Here are 9 ways to keep your kidneys healthy and slow the progression of the disease.
1. Know what increases your risk of kidney disease
Diabetes, or having high blood sugar levels in the body, is the biggest risk factor. kidney diseaseAlso, high blood pressure is strongly associated with kidney disease. Other risks include heart disease, obesity, family history, previous kidney damage, and aging. African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans are at higher risk than whites. As we age, our kidneys lose some of their functions.
9 signs of kidney disease
If the kidneys are not working properly, the following symptoms may occur:
1. Fatigue, Lack of Energy, Lack of Concentration
2. Sleep disturbance
3. Dry and itchy skin
4. Need to urinate more often
5. Hematuria
6. Swelling around the eyes
7. Swollen ankles and feet
8. Anorexia
9. Muscle spasms
Physical warning signs of kidney disease are very rare. Most kidney diseases are detected by blood tests. However, if foam or blood persists in the urine, this may indicate kidney damage. People who have passed a kidney stone may have sharp pains that rip and spread to the groin. The National Kidney Foundation says stones increase the risk of kidney disease.
Michelle Josephson, M.D., a nephrologist and professor of medicine and surgery at the University of Chicago School of Medicine, says you should always talk about the effects of the drugs you’re taking on your kidneys. Anti-inflammatory drugs, some antibiotics, and other medications can increase your risk of kidney disease.
2. Talk to your doctor about prevention and treatment
If you have diabetes, pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, family history of kidney disease, or other risk factors, ask your doctor to check your kidney function using simple blood and urine tests. Because it is usually asymptomatic, testing is the only way to know if there is damage. The results tell you how well your kidneys are working.
More specifically, a blood test can tell you how well your kidneys are filtering your blood by measuring creatinine. Creatinine is a protein produced by muscles that is normally filtered and excreted in the urine. When the kidneys are not functioning properly, levels of creatinine build up in the bloodstream. Urinalysis shows that the kidneys are damaged. can detect the presence of proteins that may be excreted in the urine when
Your doctor or provider should work with you to monitor and manage your blood sugar, blood pressure, and weight, and to help you make healthy lifestyle changes. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may choose to have a referral or see a nephrologist or nephrologist.
3. Control your blood sugar
The biggest cause of kidney failure is diabetes, which can damage kidney cells and blood vessels.
Kidney disease is a common complication from diabetes. Susan Quagin, M.D., Ph.D., director of nephrology and hypertension at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, says diabetes accounts for nearly half of the new diagnoses of kidney failure each year.
The A1C test measures your average blood sugar level over the past three months. It is important to know if you are at risk for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes and how well you are managing your diabetes.
