Kidneys are a vital pair of bean-shaped organs in the human body that filter waste products, maintain optimal body pH and electrolyte balance, and also help in the production of red blood cells and Vitamin D. A malfunction of any of the pairs of kidneys affects the quality of life and health of the individual.
About 1 in 10 people in the world suffers from a kidney problem ranging from acute kidney injury to end-stage renal disease, requiring dialysis or renal transplant. In Ghana, for every 100 people, 13 of them have a form of kidney disease. Most people who end up in Ghanaian hospitals with kidney problems are in the late stages of the disease. Moreover, most hospitals in Ghana are less equipped to manage kidney diseases, especially in their late stages, leading to high death rates.
Kidney Diseases
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease, CKD, is characterized by progressive damage and loss of kidney function. CKD mainly affects the kidney’s ability to filter waste products like urea and creatinine. The main causes of CKD are hypertension, diabetes, herbal preparations, unhealthy diet, obesity, and infections (HIV, Hepatitis B, and C, etc).
Acute Kidney Injury
Acute Kidney Injury is characterized by damage to kidney function over a short period of time and is often reversible. It mainly affects the kidney’s filtration function.
Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease
1. Oliguria - urinating less than usual.
2. An increased need to pee, especially at night.
3. Blood in urine.
4. Dry and itchy skin.
5. Fatigue and poor concentration.
6. Swollen ankle, feet, and face.
7. Poor appetite
8. Foamy urine.
Complications of Chronic Kidney Disease
- End-Stage Renal Disease: the end-stage of chronic kidney disease, where the kidneys are not functioning well enough to keep you alive. An individual with renal failure needs dialysis or a kidney transplant.
- Anaemia: when the kidneys’ ability to support red blood cell production is impaired, there is a low oxygen supply to body tissues, which may cause symptoms such as dizziness and fatigue.
- Hypertension: when the kidneys are unable to remove excess water from the blood as urine, fluid accumulates in the blood, resulting in high blood pressure.
7 Tips For Kidney Health
1. Reduce meat intake
Meat, especially red meat and ultraprocessed meat, increases the workload of the kidneys due to high protein levels. Also, high levels of saturated fat increase the risk of chronic kidney disease. Eating a more plant-based diet improves kidney health. Visit https://companion.vitavegehealth.org/recipes for more recipes to improve kidney health.
2. Exercise regularly
Regular physical activity increases blood flow to the kidneys. It also reduces the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension, which are risk factors for kidney diseases.
3. Stay at a healthy weight
Obesity increases the risk of kidney diseases. Plant-based diets help to maintain a healthier weight.
4. Sleep well
Short sleep duration and shift work are associated with risk factors for chronic kidney disease, including hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. For more tips on how to sleep well, visit https://vitavegehealth.org/blog/7-simple-steps-to-a-restful-nights-sleep
5. Avoid smoking
Smoking, besides being a risk factor for chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes ( which may cause kidney diseases), also causes inflammation of body organs, including the kidneys.
6. Abstain from alcohol
Alcohol causes inflammation of the body organs, including the kidneys. It is also a risk factor for hypertension and diabetes, which are risk factors for kidney diseases.
7. Stress management
Stress disregulates hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, leading to increased blood pressure and increased kidney workload. Practice stress management techniques such as meditation, staying physically active, and positive social connections.
Sources
1. The updated global burden of chronic kidney disease: one death every 20 seconds
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41739048/
2. 10 Signs You May Have Kidney Disease
https://www.kidney.org/news-stories/10-signs-you-may-have-kidney-disease
3. 7 Tips for Kidney Health - PCRM Factsheet
4. Association of short sleep duration and rapid decline in renal function