Written by Aditi Prabhu
Introduction
Chronic Kidney Disease is a medical condition where a patient’s kidneys cannot (or are less able to) filter out the waste material and toxins from their blood. Like the case for many other conditions, it is better for it to be detected at an earlier stage to prevent the development of more severe diseases such as kidney failure.
Causes
According to the National Kidney Foundation, two-thirds of patients with kidney disease have the underlying conditions of diabetes and high blood pressure. Diabetes is either the lack of insulin production or the inability of the body to produce insulin, which leads to difficulty in regulating sugar concentrations in the blood. This can cause damage to the kidneys, resulting in kidney disease. Such as this, multiple conditions can result in kidney disease. There are also many risk factors that individuals may have (factors that increase the risk of developing kidney disease), such as a family history of kidney disease and failure.
Impact on Lifestyle
After diagnosis, doctors may advise several lifestyle changes in order to prevent further complications of the disease. The most common example of this is changes to one’s diet. While this can differ from patient to patient, a doctor may suggest a decrease in sodium intake to prevent a buildup of salt that cannot be removed by the kidneys. Similarly, they may recommend a decreased consumption of potassium-rich foods (i.e., certain fruits and vegetables) to prevent a buildup of potassium which can lead to arrhythmia (a condition where the heart rate is irregular) or a heart attack.
Measures to Prevent
If you are at risk for kidney disease (see the risk factors here), have a conversation with your doctor about the appropriate measures to be taken and get tested for the disease. As it progresses in stages, identifying it earlier can significantly reduce the chances for further complications to arise. Figure 1 highlights the stages and symptoms. Furthermore, the risk of kidney disease can be decreased with certain lifestyle measures such as frequent exercise and more consumption of fruits and vegetables. While this may seem like overused advice, it helps prevent other conditions as well, such as diabetes.
Conclusion
The intention of this article is to highlight the causes of kidney disease, the long-term impact it can have on health, and the lifestyle changes that are made following diagnosis. Please contact a medical professional before making any significant lifestyle alterations.
Works Cited
“Common Kidney Diseases among Elderly: Diabetes & High Blood Pressure as Leading Risk Factors | Ninkatec.” Ninkatec, 12 Aug. 2021, ninkatec.com/kidney-diseases-and-diabetes-high-blood-pressure/. Accessed 12 Oct. 2023.
“Lifestyle Changes for Kidney Disease.” Nyulangone.org, 2023, nyulangone.org/conditions/kidney-disease/treatments/lifestyle-changes-for-kidney-disease#:~:text=When%20the%20kidneys%20aren’t%20working%20properly%2C%20potassium%20can%20build,that%20are%20rich%20in%20potassium. Accessed 12 Oct. 2023.
National Kidney Foundation. “Facts about Chronic Kidney Disease.” National Kidney Foundation, 15 May 2020, www.kidney.org/atoz/content/about-chronic-kidney-disease. Accessed 12 Oct. 2023.
Prevention and Risk Management. 2023, www.cdc.gov/kidneydisease/prevention-risk.html. Accessed 12 Oct. 2023.
“Top 12 Best Foods for Managing Kidney Disease - a Renal Diet.” Regeneration Center, Stem Cell Regeneration Center, 5 Oct. 2021, stemcellthailand.org/top-12-foods-fight-kidney-disease-renal-diet/. Accessed 12 Oct. 2023.
Comments