Kidney disease is not caused solely by consuming salty foods.

Phyathai Nawamin

4 Min

26/03/2021

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Kidney disease is not caused solely by consuming salty foods.

Causes of Kidney Disease

Eating salty foods is just one cause that triggers kidney disease, but there are many other important causes of kidney disease, such as:

  • Patient’s underlying diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic urinary tract infections, kidney stones
  • Immune system disorders related to lupus (a disease caused by the body producing abnormal antibodies)
  • Taking low-quality medications, supplements, or herbs can trigger kidney disease in patients with underlying conditions. For example, patients with high blood pressure who take supplements containing salt or sodium may experience uncontrolled high blood pressure. Foods high in potassium and phosphorus can also cause abnormal mineral levels in the body.
  • Genetic transmission, such as polycystic kidney disease, which occurs in about 1 in 800 to 1 in 1,000 people in the country. It is inherited through a dominant gene, meaning if either parent has the disease, it can be passed on to their children.

 

Seeing a doctor early in the kidney disease stage helps slow down the illness

Because patients in the early stages of kidney disease do not show symptoms, unlike the late stages where abnormalities can be clearly observed, the nephrology team at Phyathai Nawamin Hospital has a systematic examination method. It starts with taking medical history, blood tests to check GFR to see how much the kidneys can filter waste from the body, urine tests, ultrasound KUB to examine kidney tissue, and additional tests based on each patient’s cause. Kidney disease is divided into 2 types:

  1. Acute kidney disease, which can be cured if treated correctly according to the cause, such as controlling blood pressure in hypertensive patients or controlling blood sugar in diabetic patients.
  2. Chronic kidney disease, where most patients have it for life. The symptoms can be divided into 5 stages:
    • Stage 1: Kidney function (GFR) greater than 90 The kidneys are normal but beginning to deteriorate. Treatment includes diet control, exercise, and managing underlying diseases.
    • Stage 2: Kidney function (GFR) less than 90 Kidney deterioration. Treatment includes diet control, exercise as advised by the doctor, and continuous monitoring.
    • Stage 3: Kidney function (GFR) less than 60 More severe kidney deterioration with reduced waste filtration. Treatment includes diet control, exercise as advised by the doctor, urine protein tests, and continuous monitoring.
    • Stage 4: Kidney function (GFR) less than 30 Patients should see a doctor promptly for treatment. Doctors will treat with diet control, exercise as advised, and blood and urine tests every 3 or 6 months to monitor symptoms.
    • Stage 5: Kidney function (GFR) less than 15 Kidney failure occurs. The kidneys cannot function and require dialysis when GFR is below 9 or kidney transplantation.

 

Patients should see a nephrologist when experiencing these symptoms

  • Abnormal leg swelling
  • Abnormal urination, difficulty urinating, cloudy urine, or blood in urine
  • Flank pain radiating to the back or groin pain
  • High blood pressure requiring multiple medications
  • Anemia, fatigue, weakness

 

These symptoms are signs of kidney disease from stage 3 onwards and should not be allowed to worsen. Stages 1-2 can be detected even without symptoms, and early detection helps achieve better treatment outcomes and faster recovery. Kidney disease involves significant inflammation in the body and carries risks similar to diabetes, potentially leading to other chronic diseases such as coronary artery disease, heart disease, stroke, and chronic wounds on the legs and blackened feet.

 

Recommendations from nephrologists for treating kidney disease and maintaining safe health

  • Have regular health check-ups and kidney disease screening annually after age 60, including patients with underlying diseases such as diabetes and hypertension
  • Eat a balanced diet with all five food groups
  • Exercise regularly 3-4 times per week, about 30-40 minutes each time
  • Drink enough water, about 2-3 liters per day
  • Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption
  • Avoid holding urine as it may lead to chronic infections
  • Do not take nephrotoxic drugs, unstandardized supplements, or herbal medicines

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