How to protect the silent organ 'kidney'?

The kidneys are the 'silent organ' because symptoms do not appear until their function drops below 70%. If symptoms such as blood in the urine or swelling are observed, it is likely that the disease has already progressed significantly. To protect the kidneys, which deteriorate silently, early detection through regular check-ups is important.

The kidneys are like filters that remove waste products from our body. They eliminate waste from the blood and regulate the amount of water, salt, and electrolyte concentration in the body. In particular, the glomeruli of the kidneys play a crucial role, and damage to these glomeruli can lead to kidney disease.

The representative kidney disease is glomerulonephritis. Inflammation occurs in the glomeruli, leading to decreased filtration function of the kidneys. Symptoms include abnormal urine color, loss of appetite, decreased urination, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, headache, swelling around the eyes or legs, and fatigue. Proteinuria or hematuria may also be present.

Glomerulonephritis is caused by inflammation due to an autoimmune response in the glomeruli. Genetic factors and kidney damage caused by certain drugs or chemicals are also contributing factors. Missing the optimal treatment window increases the risk of progressing to chronic kidney disease. If inflammation and fibrosis within the glomeruli continue, the glomerular filtration rate decreases, and when it falls below 15cc per minute, dialysis or transplantation becomes necessary.

Since kidneys are difficult to recover once damaged, early detection is the best prevention. It is advisable for individuals over 65, or those with hypertension, diabetes, or a family history to undergo regular check-ups.

Incheon Himchan General Hospital Nephrology Center Director Lee Ji-eun emphasized, "It is important to check for proteinuria or hematuria through tests, and also measure serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rate."

If you have risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, or obesity, you should manage them consistently through medication, diet, and exercise. When kidney function declines, sodium excretion becomes difficult, so it is advisable to eat bland foods. In cases of significant impairment, fluid regulation and waste elimination become difficult, so excessive or insufficient fluid intake should be avoided.

The director of the center advised, "If you are over 65 and have diabetes, you should pay more attention to kidney health," and added, "Since dietary therapy varies depending on individual conditions, you should consult your primary care physician to manage your diet and practice daily lifestyle management."

Few people go through life without hearing the term kidney transplant.

It means that there are too many people with damaged kidneys... We must take good care.

Fighting