Who is at high risk of kidney failure?

Kidney failure affects the body’s ability to filter blood and maintain fluid balance. Many people do not realize they have kidney failure until the condition becomes severe.

According to BS.CK2 Nguyen Thi Diem Huong, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital – Facility 3, early detection of kidney disease and timely preventive measures are extremely important to protect kidney function and improve quality of life.

Identifying groups of people at high risk of kidney failure is the first step to proactively prevent and screen for the disease.

Diabetes

This is the leading cause of chronic kidney failure, accounting for 30-50% of all cases. Prolonged high blood sugar can damage small blood vessels in the kidneys, reducing their ability to filter waste.

Hypertension

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is one of the main causes of kidney damage, accounting for about 27.2% of chronic kidney failure cases. High blood pressure increases pressure on the blood vessels in the kidneys, causing gradual damage over time.

Cardiovascular disease

People with cardiovascular disease are at higher risk of kidney disease and vice versa.

Primary and secondary glomerulonephritis

Is an inflammation of the small filters in the kidneys (glomeruli), which can lead to kidney failure if left untreated.

In addition, lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, unhealthy diet… also increase the risk of kidney disease.

Dr. Huong said, if not detected and treated promptly, kidney failure can lead to many serious, life-threatening complications and reduce quality of life.

People with kidney failure may experience cardiovascular complications; severe and difficult to control hypertension; coronary artery disease, heart failure, increased risk of stroke; Cardiac arrhythmia due to electrolyte imbalance.

In addition, the kidneys produce the hormone erythropoietin, which is necessary for red blood cell production. When the kidneys fail, erythropoietin production decreases, leading to anemia. Kidney failure causes calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D metabolism disorders, leading to weak, brittle bones.

The patient may also have an imbalance in important electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, calcium, and phosphorus, which can cause serious heart and nerve problems. Waste products accumulate in the blood causing symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, severe itching, and neurological disorders.

The immune system of people with kidney failure is weakened, increasing the likelihood of infection. The disease can cause menstrual disorders in women and reduced sexual desire and erectile dysfunction in men.

If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or a family history of kidney disease, you are at high risk. You should have regular health checkups and screening tests as advised by your doctor, especially urine and blood tests to check kidney function.

According to the doctor, there is no way to prevent kidney failure 100%, but maintaining a healthy lifestyle, good control of underlying diseases along with regular screening will help significantly reduce the risk of kidney failure.