Risk Factors
There are various reasons why someone might get kidney disease. Common causes are high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, the major causes of kidney damage. Other contributing factors are family history, obesity and age.
Observable Effects
The symptoms of kidney disease are usually hidden until the disease progresses. In advanced stages, people start showing symptoms like feeling very tired, throwing up, swelling in the legs and for some people, confusion and decreased appetite. These symptoms can indicate various medical problems and so it is important to visit a doctor regularly for check-ups.
A Healthy Lifestyle and Prevention
You can avoid kidney disease by making healthy lifestyle choices. The key activities are:
- Drink enough fluids: Adequate fluid intake is good for your kidneys.
- Balanced Diet: A healthy balanced diet like the DASH diet can help maintain blood pressure and promote kidney health.
- Regular Exercise: Engaging in regular exercise increases circulation and aids in managing body weight, blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
- Body Weight: Maintaining a healthy body weight helps reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease and its complications.
- Blood sugar control: Diabetes is a major cause of chronic kidney disease; therefore, it is critical for people with diabetes to monitor and control their blood sugar levels.
- Control blood pressure: Blood pressure should remain in the normal range to prevent kidney damage.
- Smoking cessation: Stopping smoking decreases risk for kidney disease and enhances overall health.
Identification and Treatment
Kidney disease must be identified early in order to be effectively managed. The diagnosis is typically the same: blood tests for anemia, imaging studies like an ultrasound, and urine tests for the functioning of the kidneys. These treatment strategies, either directly or indirectly, aim to manage chronic conditions through medication recommendations and lifestyle adjustments. For example, this may involve dietary changes in cases of hypertension and a reduction in physical activity levels for individuals with diabetes. However, in the late stages, dialysis or kidney transplantation may be necessary.
2025 Campaigns Supporting World Kidney Day
The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) offers an "Are Your Kidneys Healthy?" quiz designed to educate the public on health assessments, promoting both proactive and reactive approaches to raising awareness about kidney health. It is important to have knowledge of kidney health and the implementation of prevention. Regular visits to a physician, active participation in healthy initiatives and other preventive measures can help control the loss of kidney function.
For more information visit: https://www.theisn.org/initiatives/world-kidney-day/
References
- 6 Tips to Be Water-Wise for Healthy Kidneys.
- NKF Nutrition Coach
- 5 Low-Impact Kidney-Friendly Exercises to Try During National Kidney Month
- Healthy weight
- Diabetes
- High Blood Pressure
- Smoking and Your Health