Most people are born with two kidneys, but you only need one. Each day, the kidneys filter 200 liters of blood, removing 2 liters of toxins, wastes and water in the process. Wastes and water ultimately leave the body as urine, and through this process, your kidneys are able to regulate the body’s fluid levels. The kidneys also release hormones that regulate blood pressure, produce red blood cells and help maintain healthy bones.
Often the kidneys are damaged slowly over time, which is one of the reasons why you might not “feel sick” until the kidneys are failing.
What are the signs and symptoms of kidney failure?
Initially, kidney failure may not produce any symptoms (asymptomatic). As kidney function decreases, the symptoms are related to the inability to regulate water and electrolyte balances, clear waste products from the body, and promote red blood cell production.
If unrecognized or untreated, the following symptoms of kidney failure may develop into life-threatening circumstances.
• Lethargy
• Weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Generalized swelling (edema)
• Generalized weakness due to anemia
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Fatigue
• Congestive heart failure
• Metabolic acidosis
• High blood potassium (hyperkalemia)
• Fatal heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias) including ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation
Below are the six (6) tips for reducing the risks of kidney disease.
1. Get tested. If you’re at risk for kidney disease, it’s important to get your kidneys checked during your annual physical. Even the best of us can procrastinate when it comes to our yearly trip to the doctor, but prevention and testing go hand-in-hand. The National Kidney Foundation’s mascot, Sidney the Kidney, even has a music video to help inspire you to get tested. There are two simple tests to check for kidney disease:
• A urine test for albumin, a type of protein. Protein in the urine is one of the earliest signs of kidney damage. When there is too much protein in the urine, it means that the kidneys’ filters have been damaged and are starting to leak protein.
• A blood test for creatinine. Creatinine is a waste product (from muscle metabolism) that is removed by the kidney. Creatinine levels are used to calculate your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The eGFR reflects how well the kidneys are filtering wastes from the blood.
2. Control blood pressure and blood sugar levels. High blood pressure and diabetes are the two leading causes of kidney disease. The kidney is a “vascular organ, meaning it contains many blood vessels. Therefore, diseases that damage the blood vessels, including high blood pressure and diabetes, can damage the kidneys. Even “slightly” high blood pressure (pre-hypertension) and elevated blood sugar levels, commonly referred to as “pre-diabetes,” can damage the kidneys. Don’t let the “PRE” prevent you from taking them seriously. Manage these conditions to protect your kidneys.
3. Step on the scale.Maintaining a healthy weight has important implications for your kidneys. Being overweight means that the kidneys have to work harder..o fil.... Read all @ http://hubtiva.com/2017/03/23/six-6-tips-for-reducing-the-risks-of-kidney-disease/