Kidney health for all

Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys stop working and cannot remove waste and extra water from the blood, or keep the body's chemicals in balance.

The kidney health campaign closes the knowledge gap for better kidney disease care. The campaign focuses on efforts to increase kidney health education and awareness and to reduce the CKD knowledge gap at all levels of kidney care.

It is essential to understand the functioning of the kidneys, their importance, their proper care, to diagnose kidney disease and where to go for help. The kidneys do not show symptoms and by the time they appear the disease is already very advanced. That is why, with a simple blood and urine test, it is possible to know their state of health. An early diagnosis allows specific treatments to be established, as well as measures to delay the loss of kidney function.

Kidneys are two organs at the back of the abdomen that filter blood to produce urine. They are important for a number of processes in the body, including blood pressure regulation, blood cell production and helping to keep your bones healthy;

• They filter the blood and remove excess fluid and waste produced by the body.
• They maintain the balance of various substances in the blood (sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus).
• They help control blood pressure.
• They produce a hormone called erythropoietin, which is necessary for the formation of red blood cells.
• They help in the metabolism and elimination of drugs.

The loss of proper kidney function may be so slow that symptoms do not occur until they have almost ceased to function. The diabetes and the blood pressure are the two most common causes and responsible for the majority of cases. Among other diseases and conditions can damage the kidneys;

• Autoimmune disorders (such as lupus and scleroderma)
• Renal birth defects (polycystic kidney disease)
• Certain toxic chemicals
• Kidney injuries
• Infection and kidney stones
• Problems with arteries affecting the kidneys
• Abuse of painkillers and cancer drugs
• Retrograde flow of urine into the kidneys

SYMPTOMS

When kidney function begins to fail, the following may arise symptoms;

Fatigue: being tired all day

Why this happens Healthy kidneys create a hormone called EPO, which tells your body to make oxygen-carrying red blood cells. When your kidneys fail, you make less EPO. With fewer red blood cells, your muscles and brain get tired very quickly - this is anaemia.

Continuous feeling of cold

Why this happens Anaemia can make you feel cold all the time, even in warm places.

Shortness of breath, after very little exertion

Why this happens Shortness of breath can be related to the kidneys in two ways. First, extra fluid in the body can build up in the lungs. Second, anaemia can cause your oxygen-deprived body to be short of air.

Feeling faint, dizzy or weak

Why this happens Anaemia related to kidney failure means that your brain is not getting enough oxygen. This can cause problems with memory, concentration and dizziness.

Feeling a lot of burning

Why this happens The kidneys remove waste from the bloodstream. When the kidneys fail, waste builds up in your blood, which can cause a burning sensation.

Swelling of the hands/feet

Why this happens When the kidneys fail, they do not eliminate the extra fluid that accumulates in the body and causes swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, face, hands...

Food tastes metallic

Why this happens The accumulation of wastes in the blood (uremia) can make food taste different and cause bad breath.

Upset stomach, nausea, vomiting

Why this happens A severe accumulation of this uremia also causes nausea and vomiting.

Foamy or bubbly urine

Why this happens The kidneys produce urine; when they fail, they may produce foamy urine or larger amounts.

Brown, purple or red urine

Why this happens It may also have an altered colour due to its blood content.

Pressure when urinating

Why this happens This disorder also causes a feeling of pressure or difficulty in urinating.

The International Society of Nephrology, The report points out a series of recommendations that can be considered as:

«The 10 most important keys to taking care of kidney health».»

1. Exercise is important because it helps to lower blood pressure and consequently reduces the risk of chronic kidney disease. The key is to always stay fit and active.
2. Control and maintain blood sugar levels. It is important for people with diabetes to have regular kidney function checks, because usually half of all patients develop some form of kidney damage.
3. One of the common causes of kidney damage is high blood pressure.
4. Maintaining proper body weight control by following a healthy diet containing vegetables, fish and plenty of water helps to control diabetes and other heart diseases that accompany kidney damage.
5. Use salt in moderation.
6. Increasing water intake facilitates the elimination of sodium and toxins by the kidneys, thereby decreasing the risk of kidney disease.
7. Do not smoke as it increases risk factors such as dyslipidaemia, high blood pressure and alters the renal vasculature. Smoking can lead to diabetes, which can lead to kidney failure, as well as increasing the risk of kidney cancer.
8. Anti-inflammatory drugs develop the kidney damage of so-called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs over time. Therefore, they should not be abused.
9. If the following risk factors are present: diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease, it is important to have a blood and urine test.
10. It is important to always know that »everything that affects the heart affects the kidneys».
    There are many pathologies that can affect the kidney, however, at present, more than 90% of them is diagnosed early thanks to blood tests, The results of the urine test as well as imaging studies are performed at regular check-ups of the patients. This has led to an improvement in the prognosis of the disease in recent decades.