Major functions of the kidneys include filtration of urine, of excess water and toxins from the body and also regulating elements such as vitamin D and calcium.
When failures occur in kidney, then it stops filtering the blood, so that elements that were being regulated, such as waste or excess water, starts to get retained in the body, making toxic such as urea and creatinine that accumulate in the blood.
Usually, a kidney disease has no symptoms until the condition reaches more advanced stages, which is why, according to specialists, is called ” silent disease .” The National Federation of Associations for the Fight against Kidney Diseases emphasizes the importance of an early diagnosis to avoid complications, so it is advisable to pay attention to the following early symptoms:
1. Frequent urination, like an urge to get up at night to urinate ( nocturia ) or doing it more often and more or less than normal.
2.Sharp pain in one portion of back, that does not seem to go with any pain killer, nor there is specific reason for it.
3.Changes in the color of the urine, such as a lighter color or the presence of blood in urine.
4. Fluid retention, which results in increased swelling of the face, legs, ankles, feet, and hands.Tiredness and fatigue is also caused by fluid retention.
5. Anemia , in some cases, due to renal failure.
6. Itching in the skin also called pruritus, caused by the retention of toxic substances that can be deposited in the skin.
7. The smell of ammonia in the breath and Metallic taste in the mouth, are due to an accumulation of urea in the saliva.
8. Nausea and vomiting, in addition to the loss of appetite or weight.
9. Finally, when the kidney is not functioning well, it causes an increase in blood pressure and may cause hypertension.
The reasons for which a decrease of the glomerular filtration can be produced are multiple, as much by direct aggressions as of indirect form due to other diseases.
The diabetes mellitus along with high blood pressure are the two most common reasons behind kidney failure, the reason why these diseases require regular monitoring of renal function of the patient to avoid aggravation.
In addition, other risk factors increase the likelihood of suffering such a failure, such as hereditary diseases, immunological and some medications such as anti-inflammatory or chemotherapy.
How can kidney disease be prevented?
One of the main tips to avoid kidney problems is to adapt to a healthy lifestyle, that is, including “heart-healthy recommendations,” since measures that help care for the heart are used to prevent kidney failure.
To avoid both renal and coronary problems, it is necessary to reduce the consumption of salt, since the food itself already contains it, just as you should choose to avoid excesses of fat and other harmful substances such as alcohol or the tobacco.
Patients should follow a healthy diet combined with physical exercise routines and moderate consumption of anti-inflammatories.
Likewise, it is important to perform continuous blood pressure and glucose levels, which will help to detect pathologies that are external to the kidneys and which can lead to kidney failure.
