Kidney Disease Threatens Hypertensive Diabetes People
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) significantly contributes to global mortality, serving as both a direct cause of death and an exacerbator of other health conditions. CKD often progresses silently as deteriorating renal function initially presents with minimal symptoms, leading to late-stage diagnosis when interventions are less effective. The disease is characterized by reduced glomerular filtration rate or kidney damage for three months or more, affecting waste elimination and homeostasis maintenance.
Consequently, advanced stages necessitate dialysis or transplantation, which carry their own risks and complications. Epidemiological data reveal that CKD enhances cardiovascular disease risk—major causes of morbidity in affected patients—which can exacerbate overall mortality rates.
Moreover, socioeconomic factors such as limited healthcare access and rising comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension further compound its impact on vulnerable populations. Strategies for addressing CKD-related deaths thus emphasize early detection, preventive care, lifestyle modification, and equitable access to medical resources to mitigate progression and improve patient.
eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) measurements assess kidney function by estimating how well your kidneys filter waste, using a blood test for creatinine (or cystatin C) and a formula factoring in age, sex, and body size to give a result in mL/min/1.73m². A normal eGFR is generally above 90, but it naturally declines with age, and levels below 60 mL/min/1.73m² for over three months can signal chronic kidney disease (CKD), with lower numbers indicating more severe kidney damage or failure.
Kidney Health Risk Factors:
Key risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, smoking, and family history, with older age and certain medications (like long-term NSAIDs) also increasing risk. Conditions damaging blood vessels and filters, like uncontrolled blood sugar and blood pressure, are primary drivers, while other factors like tobacco use and genetic predisposition play significant roles.
Risk Factors: Foods to Avoid |
Major Risk Factors
- Diabetes: High blood sugar damages kidney blood vessels and filters.
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Narrows kidney blood vessels, reducing blood flow and causing scarring.
- Heart Disease: Conditions like heart failure reduce blood flow to the kidneys. Obesity: Increases risk for diabetes and hypertension, major kidney disease causes.
Other Significant Factors
- Family History: A genetic predisposition to kidney disease.
- Smoking: Increases blood pressure and risk.
- Age: Risk increases over 60.
- Medications: Frequent, long-term use of certain painkillers (NSAIDs like ibuprofen) can damage kidneys.
- Recurrent UTIs/Kidney Stones: Can cause permanent damage if frequent. Autoimmune Conditions: Diseases where the immune system attacks the kidneys.
- Race/Ethnicity: Being Black, Native American, or Asian American can increase risk.
Food And Lifestyle To Consider With Regards To Your Kidney Health:
- High Sodium Foods: Processed meats (bacon, deli meats), canned soups/veggies, salty snacks (chips, pickles), fast food, and soy sauce.
- High Phosphorus Foods: Dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt), nuts, whole grains (whole wheat bread), brown rice, dark sodas, and chocolate.
- High Potassium Foods: Bananas, oranges, avocados, potatoes, tomatoes, apricots, and dried fruits.
- Excess Animal Protein: Red meat, organ meats, and large portions of meat/dairy can burden the kidneys.
- Sugary Drinks & Processed Snacks: Sodas (especially dark ones with phosphorus additives) and ultra-processed snacks add sugar, salt, and unhealthy ingredients.
- Alcohol: Can add stress and strain to your kidneys.
- Smoked Fishes
- Foods that increase creatinine production are primarily high-protein animal products, especially red meat (beef, pork, lamb), fish (salmon, tuna), poultry, organ meats, eggs, and dairy, because they contain creatine which converts to creatinine
Best Foods For Kidney Health:
- Fruits: Apples, berries (strawberries, blueberries), grapes, cherries, pineapple, plums.
- Vegetables: Red bell peppers, cauliflower, cabbage, onions, lettuce, radishes, summer squash, cucumbers, garlic, turnips.
- Proteins (Lean & Plant-Based): Skinless chicken, fish (salmon), egg whites, tofu, beans, lentils (in moderation, depending on stage).
- Grains: White rice, white bread, pita bread, pasta (check labels for sodium).
- Fats: Olive oil, nuts/seeds in moderation (chia & flax are good but can be high in oxalates).
- Spices: Use herbs and spices to flavor food instead of salt.
- High-Potassium: Bananas, oranges, tomatoes, potatoes, spinach, avocados, dairy.
- High-Phosphorus: Dairy, whole grains (in large amounts), nuts, seeds, beans, dark sodas, packaged meats.
- High-Sodium: Processed foods, canned soups, fast food, salted snacks.
How Kidney Test Result Works:
eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) measurements assess kidney function by calculating how well your kidneys filter waste, primarily creatinine, from your blood, using a formula that factors in blood creatinine levels, age, sex, and body size. A normal eGFR is usually above 90 mL/min, with values dropping as you age, and lower numbers indicate reduced kidney function, helping doctors stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) from early damage (60-89) to kidney failure (below 15).Blood Test: A blood sample measures creatinine, a waste product from muscle metabolism that healthy kidneys filter out.
Calculation: A formula (like the CKD-EPI equation) uses your creatinine level, age, sex, and sometimes race (though this is changing) to estimate your kidney's filtering rate (eGFR).
Units: Results are in milliliters per minute per 1.73 square meters (mL/min/1.73m²).
Understanding Your Kidney Test Reports:
STAGE 1:Normal eGFR (\(\ge 90\) mL/min) but with signs of damage (e.g., protein in urine).
STAGE 2:
Mild reduction in eGFR (60-89 mL/min) with signs of damage.
STAGE 3:
3a (G3a): Moderate reduction in eGFR (45-59 mL/min).Stage 3b (G3b): Moderate to severe reduction in eGFR (30-44 mL/min).
STAGE 4:
Severe reduction in eGFR (15-29 mL/min), approaching dialysis/transplant.
STAGE 5:
Common Symptoms of Kidney Disease:
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) symptoms often appear late, but common signs include fatigue, swelling (ankles, feet, eyes), frequent urination (especially at night), foamy/bloody urine, shortness of breath, nausea, loss of appetite, itchy skin, and muscle cramps, resulting from toxins and fluid buildup as kidneys fail to filter blood properly. Recognizing these signs and seeing a doctor early is crucial for management, as early stages often have no symptoms.
- Fatigue & Weakness: Due to anemia (lack of red blood cells) or toxin buildup.
- Swelling (Edema): In legs, ankles, feet, or around eyes from fluid retention.
- Urination Changes: Needing to go more often (especially at night), foamy urine (protein), or blood in urine.
- Shortness of Breath: From fluid in lungs or anemia. Nausea, Vomiting,
- Loss of Appetite: From toxin buildup (uremia).
- Itchy Skin: Due to waste buildup.
- Muscle Cramps: From electrolyte imbalances.
- Metallic Taste/Bad Breath: Caused by uremic toxins.
- Trouble Concentrating: Brain fog from toxins.