Chronic kidney disease: symptoms, prevention and treatment

Chronic kidney disease is a condition that causes several complications and changes in the patient’s routine. Learn more about it and how to prevent diagnosis.

Chronic kidney disease is a major public health problem. It is estimated that about millions of people suffer from the problem worldwide, there are more than 850 million cases.

The kidneys are responsible for performing several actions fundamental to the proper functioning of the body; among them, the elimination of harmful substances and the body’s water balance.

Chronic kidney disease can cause the gradual loss of these functions, causing limitations that accompany the patient throughout life, explains the top nephrologist in Delhi.

Therefore, taking care of the kidneys is a way to avoid problems for this very important part of our body, and knowing the causes, symptoms, treatments, and prevention tips is fundamental in this process. Continue reading and know how to recognize and deal with kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease: what is it?

Before knowing the forms of prevention, it is important to understand what chronic kidney disease is.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a silent condition that causes slow, progressive and, in most cases, irreversible loss of kidney function – blood filterability for the elimination of substances harmful to health.

In addition, due to the adaptive processes of the body, the disease can go unnoticed. The patient may not present clear symptoms until he or she is in a more advanced stage of impaired renal function.

Therefore, it is important to understand the causes, risk factors, signs and symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease. This care can ensure early diagnosis and enable more effective treatments against the disease and less invasive for the patient.

Symptoms of chronic kidney disease

Attention to the body itself is essential to identify possible signs of disease. With the symptoms of CKD, it’s no different.

They are not always identifiable and can be confused; therefore, in the presence of one or more signs described below, it is important to seek medical advice for a thorough investigation of the clinical picture.

Main symptoms of chronic kidney disease:

• Tiredness
• Swelling in eyes, feet and ankles
• Willingness to go to the bathroom several times during the night
• Bad breath
• Malaise
• Foamy or bloody urine
• High pressure
• Anaemia

Risk factors for CKD

Some health problems can trigger CKD. The so-called risk factors for chronic kidney disease are diabetes mellitus, hypertension, malformation in the urinary system, kidney stones, recurrent urinary infections and obesity.

People whose relatives have a history of chronic kidney disease also need to be aware. It is recommended that carriers of one or more risk factors for chronic kidney disease follow up with a nephrologist to control them.

Treatments for chronic kidney disease

There are several treatments for chronic kidney disease. The best approach will depend on several factors; for example, the stage of the disease. If initially diagnosed, chronic kidney disease can be controlled with adequate medication and feeding.

In more severe cases, dialysis (peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis) or kidney transplantation may be indicated. In all cases, when discovering the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease, the best way is to talk to a kidney doctor in Delhi who specializes in nephrology. It will evaluate and indicate the best type of treatment for renal dysfunction.

Healthy diet

Maintaining a healthy diet is an important component of the treatment to be instituted. The consumption of foods rich in sodium, potassium and phosphorus should also be controlled – provided with medical advice of a kidney specialist in Delhi.

It is important to avoid excess of these components in the blood, since the kidneys lose the ability to filter such substances as chronic kidney disease progresses.

Dialysis

Dialysis aims to filter and eliminate the excess of harmful substances present in the blood, in addition to balancing the levels of liquids in the body. This is an option for patients in more advanced stages of CKD.

There are two main methods of dialysis in Delhi: peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis. The first uses peritoneum as a filter of substances, with the help of a dicant fluid injected into the peritoneal space.

The second is made with the aid of a machine through which the blood passes and is filtered, returning to the body then.

Kidney transplantation

Kidney transplantation is an alternative treatment in which a new organ, coming from a living or deceased donor, replaces the function of the kidneys of a seriously ill person.

In our country, kidney donation between relatives is allowed as long as it involves up to the fourth degree of kinship. To receive a kidney from a deceased donor, it is necessary to be enrolled in the single list of recipients, according to the rules of the National Transplant System.

It is up to the transplant team to evaluate chronic renal patients and establish those who are able to receive a transplant.

Therefore, before undergoing kidney transplant in Delhi, the patient must undergo a series of tests and evaluations that aim to confirm if he is fit for surgery.

How to avoid chronic kidney disease?

As can be seen, chronic kidney disease has several causes and risk factors associated with its development. But there are some important preventive precautions:

• Healthy and balanced diet.
• Regular hydration according to medical advice.
• Weight control.
• Regular physical exercises.
• Smoking cessation.
• Control of blood pressure and diabetes.

Do not forget: self-medication should be combated at any time, especially when it comes to kidney health. Some medications can harm the kidneys, especially anti-inflammatory drugs.

I was diagnosed with CKD, and now what?

The diagnosis of CKD can be daunting. In fact, it is a serious disease that deserves constant attention.

On the other hand, good news: when diagnosed early, chronic kidney disease can have controlled evolution with medications and diet.

To define treatment methods, follow-up evolution, and ask questions, consult a nephrologist in Delhi.