Eating healthy, controlling blood pressure, exercising and proactively getting regular check-ups are ways to protect yourself from kidney failure.
Kidney failure is a life-threatening condition that can require patients to undergo dialysis or, in more severe cases, transplant surgery. In some cases, acute kidney failure is reversible. The patient now needs supportive care, dialysis, until complete recovery.
Preventing kidney failure for people who carry the disease-causing gene is sometimes impossible. However, ensuring a healthy lifestyle will slow the progression of hereditary kidney disease and prevent most other forms of kidney disease. Changing your lifestyle helps reduce the workload on your organs, thereby reducing the risk of chronic diseases that cause kidney damage.
Eat healthy
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a low-sodium diet can help reduce the risk of kidney disease, heart disease and other risk factors for kidney failure. People with early signs of kidney failure should consult a nutritionist to have a suitable diet to protect their kidneys.
The CDC also recommends that groups susceptible to kidney failure limit potassium and phosphorus in their diets. According to experts, high-risk groups can consider eating watercress and broccoli instead of ultra-processed foods; Choose foods low in sugar; Replace snacks with fruit, eat fruit instead of drinking juice. Processing methods such as boiling, simmering, stewing, and grilling are also healthier than frying.
Control blood pressure
Blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg is one of the risk factors for kidney disease, especially in people with diabetes. Everyone should have their blood pressure checked regularly, especially if there is a family history of high blood pressure.
Doctors from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommend practicing a heart-healthy lifestyle to control blood pressure. If this method is not effective, the patient can consider seeing a doctor and taking blood pressure medication to reduce the risk of kidney failure.
Illustration of kidney failure. Image: Preferred Vascular Group
Do exercise
Increased physical activity has many benefits, including protecting heart health, helping the body control blood sugar levels, and helping people maintain or achieve a healthy weight. These health improvements may reduce the risk of kidney failure.
Maintaining a reasonable weight and balanced body shape is also an important factor in reducing the risk of disease. Weight loss strategies such as healthy eating and increased physical activity help protect overall health against chronic diseases. However, people with kidney disease should avoid losing weight too quickly or following a diet that is too strict.
Actively monitor your health and have regular checkups
Experts recommend regular health check-ups and consulting a doctor if you see unusual symptoms, such as edema around the eyes, dry skin, fatigue, foamy urine, etc. Determine kidney function screening with simple blood tests. Even if you have no symptoms, you can still ask your doctor to do tests when you go for a general check-up. This can help detect early signs of kidney disease. The earlier the screening, the less complicated the treatment.
In general, people with diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease are at higher risk of kidney failure. In this group, proactive health monitoring is even more important. Vulnerable populations should seek medical attention promptly, discuss with their doctors how to reduce the incidence of kidney failure, and avoid overuse of any medications, including dietary supplements and over-the-counter medications.