vKidney disease is a growing health concern in India and lifestyle factors play a significant role in the development of kidney disease hence, it is important to understand the symptoms and preventive measures. Fast food, extended periods of sedentary work, and rising stress levels seem to have taken a backseat to health in today’s world of hurry and haste, where people have access to things at the tip of their fingers. This has led to a lot of unwelcome health issues, particularly in the younger generation.
In addition to the present issues of obesity, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and getting insufficient sleep, many people also take a lot of over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Due to these lifestyle variables, diabetes, hypertension, renal disease, and heart attacks are all on the rise in India, yet shockingly, only 10% of those who have kidney disease are aware that they have it.
Kidney disease risk factors associated with lifestyle:
The primary cause of this is that the symptoms do not emerge until late in the course of kidney impairment, they are vague, and there is little public knowledge of them. An improper diet is one of the main lifestyle factors that might cause kidney illness, according to Dr. Sharad Sheth, Consultant and Head of Nephrology at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. A diet rich in salt, sugar, and saturated fats can make you more likely to get kidney disease. This is because a diet like that increases the risk of high blood pressure, a serious risk factor for renal disease.
“Smoking is another lifestyle issue that might cause renal disease,” he continued. Smoking makes it more difficult for the kidneys to function correctly and raises the risk of renal disease. This is due to the possibility that smoking will harm the blood vessels in the kidneys, decreasing blood flow and the kidneys’ capacity to remove waste from the blood. Kidney disease can also be brought on by a lack of exercise. Obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes are all risk factors for kidney disease and can all be brought on by a lack of physical exercise. As a result, frequent physical activity is crucial to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Symptoms of kidney disease:
According to Dr. Sharad Sheth, the signs and symptoms of renal disease can change depending on the severity of the condition. There could be absolutely no symptoms in the early stages. But when the condition worsens, symptoms including exhaustion, a lack of appetite, trouble sleeping, and muscle cramps may appear. Changes in urine patterns and swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet are other potential symptoms.
According to Dr Neha Punatar, Consultant, Nephrology at PD Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre in Khar, the possible symptoms that may warn you of a kidney ailment are:
- Extreme tiredness
- Trouble sleeping
- Dry and itchy skin
- Urge to urinate more often
- Drop in urine output
- Froth in urine or blood in urine
- Puffiness around eyes
- Swollen feet
- Poor appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Cramps in muscles
- Shortness of breath
Prevention tips:
“Preventive methods for kidney disease include maintaining a nutritious diet, engaging in regular physical activity, giving up smoking, and controlling chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure and diabetes,” Dr. Sharad Sheth said. It’s crucial to stay hydrated as well by getting enough water and avoiding sugary drinks. For the early detection and management of kidney disease, routine health examinations are also crucial. Individuals with a higher risk of developing kidney disease, such as those with a family history of the condition, should take extra care to receive regular checks.
Adding to the list of preventive measures for healthy kidneys, Dr Neha Punatar advised:
- Make healthy food choices-eat fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and whole grain products, cut back on salt and sugar, avoid processed foods, have low fat foods.
- Be active- make physical activity a part of your daily routine. At least 30min of brisk walk daily should be aimed for.
- Aim for a healthy weight- avoid obesity
- Get enough sleep- 7 to 8 hours of sound sleep is required
- Quit smoking
- Limit alcohol intake
- Explore stress- reducing activities like Yoga, meditation
- Drink enough water- avoid dehydration
- Keep your sugar levels and blood pressure under control
- Be careful while consuming OTC painkillers
- The only way to be sure is by getting yourself TESTED. Tests like sr. creatinine (blood test) and urine spot albumin to creatinine ratio (urine test) help in diagnosing kidney ailment.
- Getting yourself evaluated annually is extremely important especially if you have diabetes, hypertension, are above 60 years of age, have obesity, heart or liver ailment, family history of kidney ailment, kidney stones, prostrate issues, are on long term painkillers or have had kidney injury in past.
The good news is that kidney illness has a fair prognosis when detected early and properly managed. Kidney disease develops as a result of variables related to lifestyle. People can dramatically lower their chance of having kidney disease by leading a healthy lifestyle. The disease’s progression to more severe stages can also be stopped with early detection and treatment.
source from: msn.com
