Chronic kidney disease is a serious condition that sometimes leads to life-threatening complications, yet many people who have it don’t realize that they’re sick. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s most recent estimates, more than 1 out of every 7 adults in the United States have some form of kidney disease—yet up to 90% don’t know that they have it.
Read more to learn how to lower your risk for kidney disease, or contact Core Medicine of Idaho today to request an appointment.
An Overview of Kidney Disease
The term “kidney disease” describes a set of closely related medical conditions. Each of these conditions can trigger different symptoms. However, as a general rule, kidney disease causes kidney damage, making it much more difficult for your body to filter waste and fluid from your blood. In more advanced forms, kidney disease can lead to renal failure, which is often fatal.
Kidney Disease Symptoms
Kidney disease typically develops after an infection, illness, or injury impairs your kidney function. Some of the most common symptoms of acute or chronic kidney disease include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Feelings of fatigue or weakness
- Changes in your urination patterns or volume
- High blood pressure
- Shortness of breath
The signs and symptoms of kidney disease are often vague. Furthermore, the effects of impaired kidney function are not always obvious or immediate; in some cases, they may not be noticeable until the disease has progressed to a more advanced state. Consequently, early detection is critical in ensuring fast, effective treatment.
Kidney Disease Risk Factors
Although there is no single, catch-all test to identify kidney disease, simply understanding your risk factors can go a long way. Some of the most common risk factors for kidney disease include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
Your lifestyle can also influence your chances of developing kidney disease. People who smoke cigarettes or don’t get enough physical activity, for instance, tend to be diagnosed with kidney disease at noticeably higher rates than others.
5 Tips to Prevent Kidney Disease
The main risk factors for kidney disease are diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. However, your individual risk for kidney disease is heavily influenced by your personal choices and lifestyle decisions. Making minor alterations to your daily routine can’t outright eliminate your risk, but it can minimize your chances.
If you think that you could be at risk for kidney disease, you can be proactive by:
1. Eating a Healthy Diet
A healthy and well-rounded diet can help regulate your blood pressure and lower blood lipid counts. Many kidney-conscious diet plans include generous servings of fruits, vegetables, low-fat milk, grains, and fish.
2. Getting More Exercise
Exercising can sometimes feel like a chore, but it makes for an excellent investment: by getting enough physical activity, you take the reins in managing your weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Exercise also helps lower your risk of conditions that cause kidney disease, like diabetes.
3. Cutting Back on Cigarettes and Alcohol
Alcohol consumption can increase your blood pressure, whereas cigarette smoking can cause direct and irreversible damage to your kidneys—all significant and leading risk factors for kidney disease.
4. Managing Your Over-the-Counter Medications
A common class of over-the-counter pain management medicines, called NSAIDs, can damage the kidneys if they are used too often and for too long. This is because NSAIDs can reduce blood flow to the kidneys, which leads to impaired function.
Common NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin, among others.
5. Getting Regular Check-Ups
Kidney disease is a chronic condition that can’t always be cured. However, if it’s detected early enough, its progression can often be slowed or managed—giving patients their best chance to a live a long and healthy life. Along with learning to recognize the symptoms of kidney failure, getting regular check-ups is, by far, the best way to ensure that you stay on top of your health.