It was after this diagnosis of my uncle Rajesh. He had always been an active man, and one least likely to ever complain. Eventually, we started to notice the little changes he was experiencing—a constant state of fatigue, feet that seemed to swell, and a reduced appetite that turned each meal into a battle. Initially, he shrugged it off, believing it to be nothing more than good old-fashioned aging. However, it was not until his blood pressure began to rise dangerously that we realised something was amiss.
It came as quite a shock when a routine examination showed the truth: he had just entered the early phases of kidney disease. The news hit our family hard. His doctor put him on dytor plus 10, a diuretic that facilitates the removal of excess fluid and maintains blood pressure, an important part of management. However, that was just the beginning , and we soon learnt that just medication was not the answer. Our mission was to understand why kidney disease happens and how to prevent it.
What is Kidney Disease?
The kidneys are our body’s natural filter and they help eliminate wastes and excess fluid from the body. They help regulate electrolytes. How these organs get damaged and it the accumulation of waste in the body causes complications. It can be slow-moving, with no symptoms, sometimes until the damage is done.
Rajesh’s case put all of us through a wake-up call. Caleb was diagnosed, and we learned the importance of spotting the signs and getting ahead of things before it is too late.
The Top Contributing Factors for Kidney Disease
There are many causes of kidney disease, but the common causes among them all. Knowledge of them can assist in detecting and stopping them.
1. Elevated BP (Hypertension)
High blood pressure is among the top causes of kidney conditions. It creates additional stress on the fragile blood vessels in the kidneys, making it difficult for them to perform their functions.
Rajesh has a history of high blood pressure going up and down for years, but he never paid attention. However, the excessive stress on his kidneys for all those years was eventually taking its toll. His diagnosis was the sole catalyst for him to dedicate himself to routine monitoring, dietary changes, and taking his medication.
2. Diabetes
The silent killer, diabetes is one of the few diseases that manifest silently until the situation gets out of control.
Diabetes is another big offender. When blood sugar levels are too high, the kidneys’ small blood vessels are damaged and lose their function of filtering waste. Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most common causes of kidney failure, a condition in which the kidneys cease to function.
The most crucial element of the diabetic way of life, for individuals living with diabetes, is keeping blood sugar in check. For kidney complications, a careful diet, exercise and medications such as insulin or oral anti-diabetics effectively prevent kidney complications.
3. Chronic Dehydration
The kidneys need water to function correctly. To make matters worse, dehydration reduces blood flow to the kidney, resulting in long-term damage. Like many, Rajesh had the habit of skipping water during the day and replacing it with tea and coffee. His doctor told him that the kidneys must be regularly kept hydrated by drinking enough water daily.
4. Overuse of Pain Medication
A particular type of painkiller, namely the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs- ibuprofen, aspirin, etc), if taken inappropriately, can be fatal. Such medications reduce renal perfusion and result in impairment over time.
Rajesh had been taking painkillers for almost four decades to relieve back pain. Only when his kidney function began to deteriorate did he recognise how prolonged medication use could affect him. Physiotherapy and yoga became his new method of pain management.
5. High-Sodium Diet
A highly processed, fast-food, and salt-laden diet is known to contribute to the development of kidney disease. Sodium makes the body retain fluid, exerting pressure on the heart and kidneys.
Rajesh’s diet underwent a major transformation after his diagnosis. He replaced chips and biscuits with fruits and vegetables, reduced his salt intake, and incorporated potassium-rich foods such as bananas and green leafy vegetables for better kidney function.
6. Use of tobacco and alcoholic beverages
Smoking and heavy alcohol consumption are both associated with blood vessel damage and kidney function. In particular, smoking reduces kidney blood flow, hastening deterioration.
Rajesh was a social smoker for many years, but he gave up smoking as a result of the fear of losing his kidney function. He turned to family for help and entered a quit smoking program.
Prevention: What You Can Do to Secure Your Kidneys
Although Rajesh could not reverse the injury that had already occurred, he did a few things to try to halt the decline and preserve whatever function he had left. Here’s what he learned:
- Stay Hydrated
One of the easiest ways to maintain healthy kidneys is simply drinking plenty of water. Depending on weather and exercise, try to manage a minimum of 2–3 litres each day.
- Keep track of your blood pressure and blood sugar
This can make problems in the kidneys for patients suffering from hypertension and diabetes, so keep regular check-ups, diet changes, and medication use for these two diseases as they are the best way to control and prevent kidney complications.
- Eat a Kidney-Friendly Diet
Do not eat too much salt, processed foods, and high-protein diets that burden the kidneys. Rather, you should be looking at fresh vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
- Exercise Regularly
Exercise plays an important role in weight control, helps lower blood pressure and improves blood circulation, all of which are essential for the health of the kidneys.
- Limit Painkiller Use
Try to choose natural pain relief methods (such as yoga and acupuncture), and in the case of prescribed pain relievers, try those that do less harm to the kidneys.
- Have Routine Health Checkups
It can save your kidneys from irreversible damage if done early enough. But if there is kidney disease in your family, or there is diabetes or high blood pressure, you need to get screened regularly.
Takeaway
Kidney disease can often be managed or even stopped entirely with early detection, the appropriate treatment plan, and major lifestyle changes.
Please don’t wait to show symptoms if you or someone you love is at risk. Remember, prevention is always better than a cure, so start to take care of your kidneys from today itself
