Why you shouldn’t ignore the health of your kidneys

The kidneys are vital organs that play a critical role in maintaining overall health. They are responsible for filtering waste and excess fluid from the blood, regulating blood pressure, and producing hormones that are essential for bone health and the production of red blood cells. When the kidneys are not functioning properly, waste products and fluids can build up in the body, leading to a variety of health problems.

Dr. Manoj Singhal, MD DM DNB & MBA (Healthcare), Senior Director, Nephrology & Kidney Transplantation, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali says, “Unfortunately, many people take the health of their kidneys for granted, which can lead to serious health problems. People are generally well aware of the dangers of high BP and of heart disease, but the majority thinks that kidney disease is something you think about only when you have back pain or pain while passing urine. In fact, chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects an estimated 10% of the global population.”

CKD is a progressive condition that occurs when the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood properly. This can lead to a build-up of waste products and fluids in the body which can cause a range of health problems, including high BP, anaemia, bone disease, and cardiovascular disease. In severe cases, CKD can lead to kidney failure, which requires dialysis or kidney transplantation for its treatment.

Neglected kidney stones, over the counter availability and frequent use of certain drugs and toxins (e.g. painkillers, certain antibiotics and contrast X-rays and CT scans) are other common risk factors. People with these conditions should take extra care to maintain kidney health. People with diabetes or high BP should talk to their doctor about treating these conditions to keep their blood sugar and BP under control and lower their risk for kidney disease.
Another important step to maintain healthy kidneys is through lifestyle changes, including making healthier choices about what we eat and drink, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking. Eating a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, and low in salt and processed foods and regular exercise can help to reduce the risk of high BP and other health problems that can lead to CKD.

Regular health check-ups can help in early detection of high BP or diabetes, which can reduce the risk of developing CKD. People with a family history of kidney disease should also consider getting regular kidney function tests.
Dr. Singhal says , “It is important to be aware of the symptoms of kidney disease. Early kidney disease may not have any warning signals; symptoms like fatigue, weakness, nausea, and swelling in the legs or ankles may often occur very late when one has advanced damage to the kidneys. The only way to find out CKD at an early stage is through specific blood and urine tests, i.e., measuring blood creatinine or kidney function tests (KFT) and routine urine examination.”

Kidneys may be small in size, they play a crucial role in keeping the body healthy. By staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol intake, and getting regular health check-ups, one can take proactive steps to protect their kidney health and prevent the development of kidney disease. Don't ignore the health of your kidneys – take care of them and they will take care of you.