Why and How to Prevent of Kidney Disease
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One of the best ways to stay healthy is with preventative measures. But what about kidney disease? In this article we talk about how to prevent kidney disease midlife (or at any stage), the symptoms and what to do if you suspect it.
Nearly 80 million people in the United States alone have a high risk of kidney disease. This may be due to them already having other medical conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Of those 80 million high-risk people it is said that, 30 million will develop full on kidney disease. The condition is dangerous, it can affect all areas of ones life and take a toll on living a quality lifestyle.
How Do You Know If You Have Kidney Disease
One of the unfortunate facts is that many who have chronic kidney disease don’t even know they have it. Few people give thought to their kidneys until they suffer with medical issues that lead to a diagnosis of the problem.
So before it take a hold you can take measure in an effort to prevent kidney disease. Simple changes such as diet, exercise and lifestyle can have a huge impact on your overall health and this include your kidney health.
In what follows, we go over the characteristics of kidney disease. The main causes and risk factors of the disease. As well as some of the factors to manage and even prevent kidney disease altogether.
Characteristics and Symptoms of the Kidney and Kidney Disease
The primary function of the kidneys is to filter and cleanse the blood of toxins and waste. These will pass the waste products on so they can be excreted by urinating. Another fact about the kidneys is that they produce over a liter of urine per day through the act of filtering through about 200 liters of fluid per day.
The kidneys work hard and play a major role. They help to regulate of hormones that affect the blood pressure. Other kidney functions include controlling the red blood cell production as well as the production of vitamin D.
Signs and Symptoms of the Kidney Disease and/or Damage (or the Onset)
When the kidneys suffer damage their lose the ability to function. Resulting in several signs and symptoms, including:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle spasms and cramps
- Swelling of the extremities
- Dry skin
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular urination
- Loss of appetite
Main Causes of Kidney Disease
There are two primary causes of kidney disease, these are high blood pressure and diabetes. Both of which can have major effect on the kidneys and their function.
High Blood Pressure
One of the primary concerns is high blood because it directly affects the flow of blood to the kidneys. This can cause damage to the kidney tissue, thus impairing their normal function. And when the lack of fluid filtering ability is impaired, the lack of kidney function is likely to exacerbate the cycle further. It’s a vicious cycle and as it can contribute to even higher blood pressure.
Diabetes and the Prevention of Kidney Diseases
In the condition of diabetes, individuals who do not maintain good control of their blood sugar will spend prolonged periods of time with elevated blood sugar. High blood sugar or hyperglycemia will cause an increased amount of blood flow into the kidneys.
This increased blood flow causes damage to the kidney blood vessels, and they will begin to leak more protein into the urine. This extra protein will cause the filtration system in the kidneys to stop working well, and eventually, the kidneys will fail.
Prevention of the Disease
Since the known main causes of kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure, there are a few effective ways to prevent kidney disease. These are also preventive measures for high blood pressure and diabetes.
However, there are times when you lead a healthy life and seem to do everything right and yet may make certain health condition unavoidable. This may include family history. Such as a genetic predisposition to high blood pressure and diabetes.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t improve your health in an effort to prevent these conditions and prevent complications. So it’s imperative in all stages of life to be proactive and take measures through life to care for your health.
Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Kidney Disease
The other truth is that making efforts to achieve good health and working to prevent or improve the status of medical conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes can significantly decrease the risk of kidney disease. These efforts also can help keep mild kidney disease from turning into severe kidney disease.
If you have normal blood pressure levels and want to maintain it or improve it there are lifestyle changes that can be made to help prevention kidney disease. Obesity and high sodium intake are strong factors that correlate with developing high blood pressure. Therefore embarking on a weight loss program, maintaining a healthy weight and reducing high sodium may all help to prevent or improve of kidney disease. One diet that is known for anti aging and helps to maintain a healthy weight is the Mediterranean Diet.
For those who already live with high blood pressure, you can take measures to manage or even reverse high blood pressure. Again this will include lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise.
Though Type 2 diabetes, is thought of as a major concern in developing of kidney disease and other health complications, it may be well managed. And it is said that it is possible to reverse it. One of the most effective ways to manage type 2 diabetes is with weight loss and diet. And there are other options to manage blood sugar medically in an effort to prevent kidney disease and other complications.
Final Thoughts on Prevent Kidney Disease
Kidney disease will often get worse if it is not managed well. At worse it can lead to end stage renal disease. So starting today, make the changes necessary to prevent kidney disease. And if you have the signs see you Dr and take all the measures possible such as diet, exercise and make lifestyle changes in an effort to turn it around.