"Too many people have damaged kidneys"... What is the worst eating habit?

How difficult must it be for people undergoing long hours of dialysis in this heat... vs. Can they have a kidney transplant?

 

There are too many patients with chronic kidney disease who may need dialysis or a kidney transplant.

 

According to data from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, nearly 300,000 people (296,397) visited hospitals for chronic kidney disease in 2022.

 

It has more than doubled compared to 2012 (137,003 people). The growth trend over the past five years (2018-2022) has been steep.

 

In 2018, 226,877 people; in 2020, 259,116 people; and in 2022, 296,397 people, an increase of about 70,000 people.

 

How can we prevent and manage chronic kidney disease, which greatly threatens quality of life and requires significant treatment costs?

Chronic kidney disease is a condition in which the kidneys do not function properly for a long period of time.

 

It also affects cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and other conditions, often making treatment difficult and prognosis poor.

 

However, treatment and management are possible. Early detection and treatment or control of underlying conditions such as hypertension and diabetes are more important than anything else.

 

The kidneys play a crucial role in removing waste products and maintaining homeostasis, such as fluid balance, in our body. The problem is that even when illness occurs, they are called "silent organs" because there are no noticeable symptoms.

 

There are many cases where the condition is discovered late, causing a delay in treatment.

 

When reaching end-stage renal failure requiring dialysis or transplantation, quality of life drops sharply.

 

"Diabetes and hypertension, be sure to prevent and manage them."

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency data, chronic kidney disease

The main causes are diabetes, hypertension, and glomerular disease.

Da Nang kidney disease, kidney and urinary tract stones

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, recurrent pyelonephritis, and renal tuberculosis.

 

Some anti-inflammatory painkillers that are toxic to the kidneys, extracts, certain antibiotics, and chemotherapy drugs also have an impact.

 

If you have chronic kidney disease, both cardiovascular complications and related mortality increase, leading to a higher overall mortality rate.

 

It becomes serious if it progresses to end-stage renal failure.

 

The five-year survival rate for dialysis patients in our country is about 60%, which is lower than that of cancer patients.

 

In particular, for patients with end-stage renal failure caused by diabetes, the five-year survival rate is approximately 54%, which is very low.

 

The risk of death is 7.2 times higher compared to healthy individuals without the disease.

 

 

Initially no symptoms, so be cautious... facial and extremity swelling, high blood pressure, shortness of breath

 

Initially, there are no specific symptoms. An increase in plasma creatinine or the detection of proteinuria may be observed during health screenings.

 

At this time, I also become complacent because I do not realize the seriousness.

 

Many people regret not paying attention to management after diagnosis.

 

When kidney function declines, swelling (edema) and high blood pressure appear.

 

The kidneys play a role in excreting salt from the body, and when this function declines, salt and water accumulate.

 

Swelling usually occurs in the face or hands and feet upon waking up, and the legs swell in the afternoon.

 

Shoes that fit well in the morning often pinch or leave sock marks by the afternoon.

 

Symptoms of shortness of breath also appear.

 

If you get short of breath when walking or climbing stairs, it may be mistaken for lack of exercise.

 

You can feel short of breath even when lying flat.

 

When the kidneys fail, excess body fluid and swelling worsen, putting a strain on the heart.

 

Heart failure may occur.

 

At this time, symptoms of shortness of breath due to poor blood circulation appear.

 

If the swelling worsens, hypertension can deteriorate to the point where it cannot be controlled with the blood pressure medication previously used.

 

Apathy, lack of energy, nausea, decreased appetite, vomiting

Itching, numbness symptoms

 

If kidney function declines and the body cannot properly excrete waste products, uremia may occur.

 

In particular, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur compounds, which are metabolic products of proteins, remain in the body without being filtered out and act as toxic substances.

 

Symptoms of uremia include helplessness, lack of energy, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, itching, numbness, cramps, and changes in consciousness.

 

When kidney function declines, the ability to regulate electrolyte levels in the blood also diminishes.

 

An imbalance in the concentration of electrolytes such as calcium, phosphorus, and potassium can lead to muscle weakness, numbness, and even arrhythmias. Additionally, it can cause various anemia symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath.

 

Blood tests, urine tests... How can chronic kidney disease be detected?

 

How can chronic kidney disease be detected?

 

First, a serum creatinine test and urine test are necessary to measure the glomerular filtration rate, which reflects kidney function.

 

Serum creatinine levels can be easily measured through blood tests, and this allows for the calculation of the glomerular filtration rate.

 

If the glomerular filtration rate remains below 60 ml/min/1.73 m² for more than three months, chronic kidney disease can be diagnosed.

 

If proteinuria or hematuria is detected in a urine test, chronic kidney disease can be diagnosed even if the glomerular filtration rate is 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 or higher.

 

How does a bean field get ruined?..."Even family members caring for the patient suffer great pain"

 

Thorough management of diabetes and hypertension, the main causes of chronic kidney disease, is essential. It becomes even more important as you age.

 

If blood pressure is not controlled, it can further damage the kidneys.

 

Maintaining normal blood pressure is important.

 

Maintain strict blood sugar control to prevent and manage diabetes. Also, minimize risk factors for kidney damage such as smoking and the use of non-prescription medications.

 

Quitting smoking is essential, and you should know that taking medication without a doctor's prescription can damage your kidneys.

 

A low-salt diet is necessary if signs of kidney problems are observed.

 

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency recommends limiting salt intake to less than 5 grams per day.

 

Excess fluid volume and hypertension caused by the inability to excrete salt from the body can itself worsen kidney function.

 

Regular check-ups and expert consultations are necessary to find management strategies tailored to each individual's situation.

 

When kidney function continues to decline and reaches end-stage renal failure, which is less than 15% of normal function, dialysis and kidney transplantation are necessary.

 

There are people who go back and forth to the hospital 3 to 4 times a week and undergo dialysis for about 4 hours a day in this heat.

 

How difficult must it be? Their families also suffer while taking care of them.

 

Considering the option of receiving a family member's kidney transplant also deepens the concern. If the kidneys worsen, emergency measures must be taken early.

 

Quitting smoking, eating a low-salt diet, and managing blood pressure and blood sugar levels are fundamental.

 

Not only for myself but also for my family, I must prevent kidney disease.