Kidney disease, often called a “silent killer,” progresses stealthily, with symptoms frequently appearing only after significant, irreversible damage has occurred.
By Dr. SYLVESTER IKHISEMOJIE
Ever since the initial essay on the rising incidence of kidney disease was published last week, there has been a deluge of emails, text messages, and WhatsApp chats asking that a follow-up essay be done to guide readers about what they need to know and how to avoid the disease. Hence, this topic today.
Your kidneys are two of the most hardworking yet underappreciated organs in your body. Acting as sophisticated filtration plants, they process around 190 litres of blood daily to remove toxins, balance fluids, regulate electrolytes, and produce hormones that control blood pressure and create red blood cells.
Kidney disease, often called a “silent killer,” progresses stealthily, with symptoms frequently appearing only after significant, irreversible damage has occurred.
That volume of body fluids processed by the kidneys means that the entire blood volume of each person is turned around about forty times in a single 24-hour period to achieve the physiological balance mentioned above.
It is an arduous task to which the kidneys are uniquely suited. The most powerful tool against kidney disease is not treatment but prevention. By understanding the risks and adopting a proactive lifestyle, you can significantly safeguard your renal health for a lifetime.
The vast majority of chronic kidney disease cases are a direct consequence of two common conditions: diabetes and high blood pressure.
Protecting your kidneys, therefore, begins with managing these systemic threats. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure. Persistently high blood sugar levels act like a corrosive agent, damaging the delicate filtering units of the kidneys known as nephrons over time. If you can control the level of sugar in the blood to acceptably normal levels, then you can do your bit to prevent kidney disease, which can also lead to kidney failure.
The most diligent way to get this done is to perform regular check-ups. Fasting blood sugar and HbA1c, a three-month average of your blood sugar, are key indicators. You should also embrace a low-glycaemic diet by focusing on complex carbohydrates like whole grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits, which release sugar slowly into the bloodstream.
Avoid sugary drinks, processed snacks, and refined carbohydrates like white bread and pasta. Besides, a high-fibre diet helps regulate blood sugar and improves satiety.
Equally importantly, you have to maintain a healthy weight. Excess body fat, particularly around the abdomen, contributes to insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes.
So, a pot belly is not a sign of good living or excessive beer consumption but of serious metabolic problems in the making.
Then, control your blood pressure and manage your hypertension well. High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney disease.
Your kidneys are packed with dense networks of blood vessels. Consistently high pressure puts immense strain on these vessels, causing them to become scarred, narrowed, and inefficient, much like a garden hose being forced to handle pressure similar to a fire hose.
Therefore, you must monitor your blood pressure regularly. A reading consistently at or above 120/80 mmHg warrants attention, according to more recent guidelines.