The kidneys are essential for removing waste from the body. They purify the blood and maintain the balance of fluids and minerals. It is convenient to take care of them so that they function at full capacity throughout life.
- Kidney functions
- Kidney failure: warning symptoms
- Kidney failure: how to prevent
- Make periodic checks
- Take vegetable proteins
- Control salt intake
- It’s very good to sweat
In Spain, approximately one in ten adults suffers from some degree of chronic kidney disease. Medicine has advanced a lot in the treatment of the most serious disorders of the kidney, which include dialysis, surgeries and transplants, but not so much importance has been given to prevention and daily care that favor its good condition.
Surely this is because there is a widespread idea that chronic renal failure is a rare and complex pathology; However, the reality is that in its early stages it is frequent and easy to treat. Therefore, it is important to recognize the symptoms of kidney failure and know the ways to prevent it.
KIDNEY FUNCTIONS
Do not forget that within the wonderful functioning of our body, we have organs specialized in maintaining the balance and function of life. Among them, the kidneys, capable of fulfilling their mission even if only 15% of one of them works. We are interested in taking good care of them, so that they perform all their functions as well as possible.
- Remove waste substances. The main function of the kidney is the elimination of waste substances through the production of urine. The kidneys filter 180 liters of blood daily, which is concentrated in only one or two liters of urine.
- Water regulation of the body. The kidneys regulate the volume of fluids in the body, the concentration of minerals in the blood, and the acid-base balance.
- Hormonal balance. They also secrete hormones, such as erythropoietin, which stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells, and renin, which regulates blood pressure.
- Bone protection. In the kidney, vitamin D is transformed into the essential active form to maintain calcium in the bones.
- Regulates blood pressure. The kidney also secretes kallikrein, a protease of great importance in the blood clotting system and in the regulation of blood pressure.
- Glucose regulation. It is also capable of synthesizing glucose from amino acids in situations such as prolonged fasting.
KIDNEY FAILURE: WARNING SYMPTOMS
We remember the kidneys when grit or stones are formed, which can be very painful. Or when certain symptoms take us to the doctor and he tells us that the cause is in the kidneys.
Only a small proportion of patients progress to end-stage renal failure with its associated complications and need for transplantation. Early action can prevent loss of kidney function. That’s why it’s essential to watch for signs that your kidneys may be starting to fail:
- Renal disorders as a result of diabetes and hypertension are common.
- We can find an altered analysis, with increases in urea, creatinine, albumin or proteins in the urine.
- Stones or stones inside the kidneys or urinary tract can damage them. It is important to prevent their formation or eliminate them as soon as possible.
- Glomerulonephritis is a disease that initially affects the function of the renal glomeruli (the filters) and can be caused by infections or autoimmune disorders.
- Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection that affects the kidney and urinary tract.
- Blows to the abdomen can cause kidney trauma.
- Swollen ankles, shortness of breath, tiredness, and nausea may be symptoms of early kidney failure or some other kidney disorder.
KIDNEY FAILURE: HOW TO PREVENT
Do not wait for these problems to appear to pay attention to the kidneys and take care of them. Its purifying function is essential for good health and well-being.
MAKE PERIODIC CHECKS
All people and especially those who have some risk factor (diabetes, hypertension, etc.) can take a series of measures to monitor their kidneys and promote their proper functioning for many years:
- Control blood pressure.
- Control cholesterol: LDL below 100 mg/dL and HDL above 40 mg/dL.
- Have at least one complete blood test a year.
- Regularly measure blood glucose and glycosylated heme-globin (HbA1c) levels.
- Avoid over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen, and naproxen, which can reduce blood flow to the kidneys as much as possible. You have to read the leaflets well and follow the recommendations.
- Use with caution or avoid, when possible, under medical supervision, insulin and metformin (an antidiabetic that is eliminated by the kidneys).
- Monitor potassium levels if diuretic medications such as spironolactone, amiloride, and eplerenone are taken.
- Avoid non-essential diagnostic tests with iodinated contrasts.
- Reduce or avoid statins, such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin, which are used in the treatment of high cholesterol.
- Other medications that can affect the kidney are antacids, antibiotics, and antivirals.
TAKE VEGETABLE PROTEINS
The vegetarian diet, without salt or with very little, with the right proteins and of vegetable origin, without heated fats, is the most indicated to take care of the kidneys.
Plant proteins may exert beneficial effects on blood pressure, proteinuria and glomerular filtration rate, as well as causing less damage to kidney tissue compared to animal proteins.
The National Kidney Foundation in the United States recommends the vegetarian diet to patients with chronic kidney disease. However, in severe cases of kidney failure, it is necessary to ensure that sufficient protein is consumed and adequate levels of potassium and phosphorus must be maintained. In these situations, you should also reduce potassium intake by not taking raw fruits or vegetable broths.
On the other hand, it is advisable to choose organic foods because they do not contain pesticides, toxic herbicides, or traces of antibiotics in the case of dairy products.
Drinking enough water, between one and two liters daily, is essential for the functioning of the kidney and prevent the formation of stones and other problems.
CONTROL SALT INTAKE
The usefulness of limiting salt in the diet is obvious. A high intake of sodium chloride not only increases blood pressure, but decreases longevity. To know if we are consuming it in excess, you can perform the Fantitus test, which is carried out in the laboratory to control the intake of sodium chloride (salt) in people with blood pressure disorders.
As a general rule, ultra-processed foods, which usually contain an excess of salt, can be avoided. To treat hypertension, it would be necessary to reduce it to fairly low levels, up to 3 g per day, when the average consumption is between 12 and 27 g.
IT’S VERY GOOD TO SWEAT
Therapies that cause sweating, such as the steam bath, hot bath and sauna, provide some of the most important therapeutic targets currently recognized in the treatment of kidney disorders and include decreased weight gain, reduced serum potassium levels and overall cardiovascular benefits.
Sweating is a kidney aid in healthy people, and in sick people it can be part of treatment. The sweat glands behave in part like the renal glomeruli and stimulating them could delay the start of dialysis treatment or supplement it.
The physical exercise and sweat that we cause when doing so is an aid in the care of the kidneys. Resistance training with weights, machines, or rubber bands in dialysis patients has been shown to increase muscle mass, reduce inflammation, and improve body composition and quality of life. Results improve over time, if activity is maintained.
