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5. Stop Smoking and Reduce Alcohol Intake
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Nicotine and alcohol both have adverse effects on renal health. Smoking decreases blood flow to the body's organs, including the kidneys, and, as a result, smokers are more likely to experience protein in their urine, known as proteinuria, and kidney disease.
Because the kidneys are responsible for filtering toxins, including alcohol, out of the body, heavy drinking can negatively impact their functioning. Alcohol is also dehydrating, which can strain the kidneys, and it can contribute to hypertension [5]. To keep kidneys healthy, avoid binge drinking or drinking alcohol daily.
6. Be Wary of Over-the-Counter Pain Medication
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen sodium, can reduce pain and inflammation. However, they are also associated with several kidney diseases, including CKD, acute kidney injury, and inflammation of the kidney tubules, known as tubulointerstitial nephritis. Chronic use of these medications can thin the membranes of the kidney's filters, cause sodium retention, and lead to elevated blood pressure, all of which can result in kidney disease [6].
7. Monitor Your Blood Pressure
High blood pressure damages the blood vessels that deliver blood to the kidneys, impairing their ability to filter blood. As the kidneys become damaged, they lose their ability to effectively regulate blood pressure, leading to further kidney damage and creating a negative cycle that can result in kidney failure.
8. Manage Underlying Conditions That Increase Kidney Disease Risk
In addition to hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease put healthy kidneys at risk. In individuals with diabetes, chronically elevated blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels of the kidneys. Almost everyone who receives a diagnosis of Type I diabetes experiences some amount of decreased kidney function within the first few years, and about a third will eventually develop serious kidney disease [7].
Testing your urine for glucose can help you detect diabetes early. If you already have diabetes, carefully managing your blood sugar and following all of your doctor's orders are essential to prevent severe kidney damage.
Cardiovascular disease also increases the risk of kidney disease because a well-functioning heart is necessary for delivering oxygen-filled blood to the kidneys. There are many things you can do to keep your heart healthy, such as:
- Eating healthy and exercising
- Managing stress
- Not smoking
- Consistently getting adequate sleep
- Performing routine health screenings, like blood tests to measure triglycerides and cholesterol levels
What Happens When Your Kidneys Fail?
Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys stop working. Without treatment, waste products build up to dangerous levels in the blood. It's the last stage of kidney disease and can be fatal if left untreated. Some of the first symptoms of kidney failure are often [8]:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Frequent urination
- Swelling of the face, hands, and feet
- Muscle cramps
- Confusion
- Itchy skin
Doctors usually diagnose kidney failure using blood and urine tests as well as kidney biopsies. eGFR is a common blood test that estimates the kidney's ability to filter blood. Low eGFR and high creatinine in bloodwork can both be indicative of CKD and, potentially, kidney failure. There is no cure for kidney failure, but you can extend your life and improve your quality of life by undergoing dialysis or receiving a kidney transplant.
Monitor Your Kidney Health With Diagnox’s Protein Test Strips
Because proteinuria can be an early warning sign of kidney damage, monitoring your urine protein level is key to catching kidney problems early. Diagnox's urine protein test strips allow you to discretely test your urine for elevated protein levels from the comfort of your own home. The dipsticks are affordable and reliable, and they come individually packaged. And while kidney disease is relatively rare in children, it's particularly dangerous in young people because they're often asymptomatic. Screening your children for proteinuria allows for early detection and treatment of kidney problems that might otherwise go undetected.
