10 Quick Tips To Avoid Kidney Failure
The most important role of our kidneys is to filter the blood to excrete wastes, and we all need at least one healthy kidney to perform this function. Apart from filtering the blood, they also help regulate blood pressure and maintain bone health.
If your kidneys do not have the ability to filter the blood, waste products accumulate in the body, and the kidneys stop functioning altogether. In such cases, you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant to perform the filtering work on behalf of your kidneys. Hence it is very essential to learn how to avoid kidney failure to maintain overall health.
Signs Of Chronic Kidney Disease
These are the signs that indicate possible kidney damage and chronic kidney failure,
- Swelling in your feet and ankles
- Too much or too little urine
- Breathing trouble
- Trouble sleeping
- Itchy skin
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
How To Avoid Kidney Failure?
If you want to know precautions to avoid kidney failure, you need to be aware of what you do daily that could trigger kidney damage. There is no cure for kidney disease yet; however, if it is detected early, you can stop it from getting worse. Here are the ten tips on how to avoid kidney failure that you can implement in your daily life.
How To Avoid Kidney Failure In 10 Simple Steps
1. Assess Your Risk
Anybody can get kidney problems at any age. However, high blood pressure and diabetes are the two main risk factors for kidney disease. Many studies suggest that keeping blood pressure and blood sugar levels under control can effectively prevent or delay kidney disease.
2. Get Your Health Reports
A blood test and urine test are the only two tests that can confirm whether you have kidney disease or not. Since kidney disorders can increase the chances of heart disease and stroke, getting tested early on is important, especially if you have diabetes. Along with the kidney diagnostic tests, your healthcare provider will also monitor your blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol levels.
3. Maintain A Healthy Weight
Controlling your body weight through nutrition and exercise is one of the first steps in preventing kidney failure. Discuss with your doctor and ask for a referral to a personal trainer to implement an exercise routine according to your condition. Also, consult a nutritionist to know precautions to avoid kidney failure through foods.
4. Stay Away From Cigarettes And Alcohol
Cigarettes and alcohol are good for feeling high for a moment, but they cause adverse health outcomes over time. Drinking more alcohol will increase your blood pressure and your body weight. Along with the liver, it damages the kidneys too. If you have been smoking or consuming alcohol for years and find it hard to quit, seek professional guidance from your Healthcare practitioner.
5. Learn About Your Water Intake Per Day
The usual recommendation for water intake is eight glasses a day. Always staying hydrated will help your body's metabolism and remove unwanted toxins. However, if you are diagnosed with kidney problems, your healthcare provider will advise you to limit your water intake. Ask your healthcare provider about the quantity of water your body needs.
6. Make Sure That You Sleep Enough
A good night's sleep is underrated for the benefit it provides. Lack of good night's sleep can lead to physical and mental health problems, and poor quality sleep interferes with social life and work. Sleep deprivation results in chronic heart problems, kidney problems, obesity, diabetes, etc. A good sleep at night for at least 7 to 8 hours is essential for optimum physical and mental health. Try relaxation methods like meditation, breathing exercises, and listening to calming music if you face difficulty sleeping at night.
7. Avoid Certain Medications
Painkillers, vitamins, and herbal supplements do more harm than good if you take them without consulting your healthcare provider. Certain painkillers like Ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen damage the kidney in the long run. Avoid taking herbal supplements, painkillers and bodybuilding supplements as much as possible.
8. Eliminate Certain Foods From Your Diet
Be aware of the foods you have to eliminate from your routine. Have foods that are healthy for you. All processed foods contain high concentrations of sodium and sugar. A high amount of sodium and sugar can worsen diabetes and high blood pressure, eventually damaging the Kidneys. Making healthier food choices by reducing the amount of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats can go a long way in avoiding kidney failure. Stay away from soda, frozen, and processed foods, and Try to consume home-cooked foods as much as possible.
9. Stay Away From Contrast Dyes If Possible
CT scans often require contrast dyes to get a clear picture of what is wrong with your body. But using contrast dyes can be harmful to your kidney health. Limit exposing yourself to contrast dyes and discuss this with your physician, especially if you have kidney or heart problems.
10. Beware Of Infections
Infections are a huge concern because they have the potential to damage the kidneys. All types of infections, namely bacterial, viral, protozoa, and fungal, impair the Kidneys directly or indirectly. Although several medicines are available to cure infections, prevention is always better than cure.
