Kidney Disease can affect anyone

Rules for Preventing Kidney Disease

03/12/2015

Our kidneys are responsible for detoxification and drainage. In addition, the organs produce important hormones for the formation of red blood cells, the regulation of blood pressure as well as the metabolism of the bones and regulate the salinity of the body. Kidney disease, which affects the functioning of the organ, thus always represents a serious health risk. Usually kidney disease is insidious, as they cause little symptoms for a long time. On the occasion of today's World Kidney Day (March 12) informed the German Society of Nephrology (DgfN) under the motto „Take care of your kidneys "to take effective measures to prevent kidney disease.

Get kidney health through healthy lifestyle
„It is important to us to raise awareness about the prevention of kidney disease in the population beyond the day of the action“, explains Prof. Jürgen Floege, President of DGfN. „The kidney is so far the only organ that can be replaced permanently - over years and sometimes over decades - by machine, but as far as possible it should not even come first. Lifestyle changes can help maintain kidney health.“

A chronic kidney disease is often diagnosed late, because it usually initially runs without significant symptoms. As a rule, people are affected in their second half of life. Pre-existing conditions such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure can also affect younger people. In addition, smoking is considered a risk factor as it also damages the vessels. According to DgfN estimates, about every tenth German citizen suffers from a restriction of his kidney activity - often without knowing about the disease. If the kidney function is only at less ten percent, it is a so-called terminal kidney failure. Patients then require regular dialysis or organ transplantation. Three times a week they have to undergo blood lingerie for four to five hours.

Hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus promote kidney disease
In most patients, the first symptoms, such as high blood pressure, increased foaming or bloody urine and increased blood sugar, occur only very late, when the organ is already significantly impaired in its function. Also, water in the legs (edema), nausea and vomiting and fatigue may indicate a kidney problem. The most common disease of the kidneys is chronic renal failure, in which kidney function permanently and irreversibly fails. Cause of vascular damage is usually hypertension or poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. In addition, there are genetic and inflammatory kidney diseases that can permanently damage the organ and lead to complete failure.

Tips for Preventing Kidney Disease
To maintain the kidneys permanently healthy, care should be taken to ensure adequate hydration. On the occasion of World Kidney Day, the DgfN called for the day to start with a glass of water to raise awareness of kidney health. „This is a beautiful symbol and certainly also for everyone feasible, especially since we should drink enough water every day“, so go. Nicotine withdrawal is also important to prevent vascular damage. People with diabetes should have their blood sugar levels checked regularly. Useful is also the check-up „Check-up 35 ", where among other things a urine test and a blood test can give information about a possible kidney disease.

In a leaflet have the DGfN, the Association German Renal Centers (DN) e. V., the KfH Board of Trustees for Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation e.V. and the PHV Patient Home Care Charitable Foundation together with the German Kidney Foundation put together further tips for keeping the kidneys healthy. (Ag)