THE DOCTOR IS IN
OP / ED BY DR. ADIL MANZOOR
The kidneys are among the most important organs in the body, with the primary function of filtering extra water and waste out of the blood to make urine. Many people know this, but did you know that the kidney is also essential to regulating blood pressure? Or that the kidneys help directly in the production of red blood cells? Or that it helps to maintain healthy bones? And, trust me, I could go on. The truth of the matter is as widely known and discussed as the kidneys are, they are still very underrated organs in the body.
Unfortunately, as with all other organs in the body, the kidneys can be damaged. However, kidney damage is a tricky topic because it usually occurs slowly, with people only finding out they have any sort of damage when it gets to a serious level. This is why kidney damage is generally called chronic kidney disease (CKD), with chronic disease representing the long-term nature of the damage.
If this damage to the kidney continues without being checked, the kidneys may fail, and it gets far more serious to manage. In such cases, dialysis or kidney transplant is the go-to treatment. Dialysis involves diverting blood to a machine that then cleans it before returning it to the body. As you can imagine, this is not a palatable experience, and these individuals often have to be hospitalized until a kidney transplant is possible. Don’t even get me started on the difficulties – both financial and technical – of getting a willing kidney donor and receiving the kidney itself.
While dialysis and kidney transplants are the ultimate treatment options for people with kidney failure, they do not guarantee long life. If someone starts dialysis in their late 20s, they can have an average life expectancy of 20 years. If people over 75 start it, they are expected to live for only two to three years more. So, one thing is clear: you absolutely do not want your kidneys to get to the level of needing dialysis or transplants.
But since it may be difficult to know that your kidneys are deteriorating, there is a lot of confusion about when to be concerned. So, I’ll go over a few signs that may indicate a kidney problem.
Edema (fluid accumulation) in the legs, feet, ankles, and even hands or face can indicate that the kidneys are not getting rid of extra fluid in the body as they should. Chest pain, dry skin, fatigue, headaches, appetite loss, cramps, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and mental difficulties are other signs that may be present. You may also notice significant changes in the urine volume you pass out, either more or less than usual. If you have these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately for blood and urine tests.
Then, to the next question – what causes kidney damage? Answering this question is really the foundation of the crux of this article – how you can maintain optimal kidney health.
The most common cause of CKD is diabetes, which is when too much sugar (glucose) is in the blood. This condition is also quite prevalent in the United States, affecting around 30 million adults. The most significant risk factors for diabetes include obesity, physical inactivity, and genetics.
Therefore, the number one tip for maintaining a healthy kidney is maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. To do this, you need to be physically active, maintain a healthy weight and diet, and avoid smoking.
The second most prevalent cause of kidney damage is high blood pressure (hypertension). Both diabetes and hypertension are particularly dangerous to the kidneys because they can damage their blood vessels. Therefore, the second tip to maintaining a healthy kidney is maintaining a healthy blood pressure.
How do you do this? Well, the strategies that help prevent diabetes can also help maintain healthy blood pressure. However, it is also important to reduce stress levels, cut off alcohol and sodium (in the form of salt) from the diet, and sleep well to maintain normal blood pressure. It will be in your best interest to have monitoring tools around for both blood pressure and blood sugar.
Other causes of kidney diseases include heart conditions, genetics, infections, and immune disorders. For these causes, you would want to ensure you are in close communication with your doctor to monitor your kidney closely. Remember, monitoring your kidney function, especially when at high risk of CKD, is as important as any other tip.
Additionally, you should be careful with the medications you use, particularly NSAIDs (which are common pain medications like ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, etc.). While these drugs can be easily purchased over the counter in pharmacies, do not use them for more than three days in a row for fever and ten days in a row for pain without consulting your doctor. Also, if you suspect that you are starting to have signs of kidney disease, ensure you make it very clear to your doctor before taking any medication. Never hide your symptoms from your doctor.
The kidneys are wonderful, hardworking organs, and with the right steps, you can be sure they will work perfectly for several years.
This article was written by Dr. Adil Manzoor, DO, a Board-Certified Internist; Board certified Pediatrician who works as a Hospitalist and Emergency Room Physician. He is also the current President of Garden State Street Medicine, a non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to provide free preventive and acute urgent care services for the homeless. He is also the co-founder of his own unique medical practice, Mobile Medicine NJ; House Call Doctors. He is also currently pursuing an Executive MBA and a Master’s of Science in Healthcare Leadership at Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management and the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences.
References
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/causes
- https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/howkidneyswork
- https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/painmeds_analgesics
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/symptoms-causes
