March 13, 2025

The kidneys are working well and healthy? An answer one must know. It is important to stay aware about kidney health before one is diagnosed with advance stage kidney disorder. Early diagnosis and regular healthcare, diet, lifestyle management can help one to retain healthy kidneys. The key is awareness and effort to maintain good kidneys.

Humans have 2 kidneys and kidneys perform very vital function in the body. Few of the very important function of the kidneys include filtering waste, fluid balancing and maintenance of healthy level of blood pressure.

Desun Hospital department of nephrology has facility for Nephrology OPD for consultation with experienced kidney specialists, various medical tests and advance tests to help know about kidney health, dietician and nutritionist, dialysis facility, other kidney related surgeries.

Understanding Kidney Health

In many cases the kidney diseases go unnoticed till they reach an advance stage. Early detection and care can help to a great extent to maintain better condition of kidneys and avoid complications. In this article we discuss the importance of healthy lifestyle, diet, disease management for maintaining good kidney health.

The Impact of Diabetes and Blood Pressure on Kidney Health

Among lifestyle diseases not well managed diabetes and high blood pressure-hypertension are leading causes of kidney diseases (CKD)

• Diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetes over a period of time damages the blood vessels in the kidneys and reduce the ability to filter waste. Diabetes patients must consume medicines and follow lifestyle to efficiently manage blood sugar levels as per medical advice.
• High Blood Pressure: People with high blood pressure or hypertension must keep blood pressure levels in control as frequent high blood pressure levels and uncontrolled hypertension can cause kidney damage over time. It is important to follow medical advice, take prescribed medicines, make lifestyle changes and monitor regularly.

Diseases That Impact Kidney Health

Several conditions can adversely affect kidney function:

• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): kidney function reduces over time, it is often caused by wrong diet, lifestyle, weight management, diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Glomerulonephritis: Autoimmune diseases, infections and some other factors often create inflammation in kidney’s filtering units.
• Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD): Growth of some types of cysts can lead to kidney failure.
• Kidney Stones: Stone or hard elements is formed due to deposit of minerals and salts that cause pain and complication in kidney function.

Maintaining Good Kidney Health

Preventive Kidney Care

• Regular Check-ups: Some routine tests or urine, blood can detect kidney problem in early stages. Patients suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure(hypertension) must monitor kidney and other health parameters as per doctor’s advice.
• Stay Hydrated: Drink adequate water. Do not skip drinking water for a long period of time. Drink 8-10 glass of water or around 3 litres of water daily. In case one is already diagnosed with kidney related problem or for personalized advice due to any other health issue do consult with nephrologists or other specialist doctors for advice on water intake quantity.
• Healthy Diet: A diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low in sodium can help maintain kidney health. Avoid processed food, high sugar content beverages and food, foods that are highly acidic and avoid do not intake excess protein.
• Exercise Regularly: Regular exercise and walking help keep diabetes and blood pressure in control. It helps in maintaining healthy kidneys. In case of any health problem do work out a as per medical advice.
• Quit Smoking and Alcohol: Smoking and alcohol consumption is bad for kidney health.

Early Symptoms of Kidney Diseases

• Swelling in the feet, ankles, or face
• Frequent or difficulty in urination
• Unexplained Fatigue or weakness
• Frequent back pain
• Feeling Nausea or vomiting
• Blood in urine
• Itchy skin
• Foamy urine
• Shortness of breath
• High blood pressure
• Muscle cramps

Diet and Lifestyle for Good Kidneys

A kidney-friendly diet includes:

• Fruits and Vegetables: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
• Lean Proteins: Lean protein like chicken, fish, and legumes that helps muscle health without pressurizing the kidneys.
• Whole Grains: Avoid excess of carbohydrate and at times have healthy whole grains rich in fibre like oats etc
Incorporate lifestyle changes such as:
• Stress Management: Yoga, meditation, mindfulness, breathing exercises helps us to relax and control blood pressure and have a good sleep.
• Adequate Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep daily is important.

Medical Therapies for Kidney Care

There are various medical therapies for kidney problem

• Medications: Medical management of kidney disease as suggested by nephrologists and proper management of diabetes and high blood pressure as per advice of specialist doctors. Avoid self-medication and ignoring symptoms.
• Dialysis: As per medical advice of nephrologist’s dialysis is done as per schedule for patients with advance stage kidney disease.
• Kidney Transplant: Kidney transplant is the option for patients with end-stage kidney disease.
• Kidney Stone and Cysts: The doctor examines the stone or cyst and as per requirement surgical intervention is done.

Conclusion

On this World Kidney Day, we need increase awareness about kidney health. It is important to recognize early symptoms, and make necessary lifestyle changes for better kidney health. In case one notice any of few of the symptoms, is diabetic or has high blood pressure it is important to get regular medical advice from specialist doctors. Desun Hospital has dedicated kidney department at our NABH-accredited multispecialty hospital. Desun hospital department of nephrology has facility for nephrology OPD where one can consult Kidney specialists by appointment. There is facility for Kidney related surgeries and medical tests.

Do Call Desun Hospital 24 Hours helpline: 9051715171 for OPD consultation Booking with Nephrologists and Kidney Related Tests.