Kidney health issues seem to be mentioned frequently in our daily lives. Whenever someone mentions the topic of "bad kidneys", it always arouses people's attention and heated discussions.
From a dull pain in the lower back, to a slight swelling of the face, or even a trace of hair loss, every tiny physical change can be a basis for suspicion of kidney health.
The kidneys, this seemingly silent organ, actually carry an important mission in our lives. It is like a tireless worker, silently removing waste and toxins from the body for us, maintaining the balance and harmony of the body.
However, the kidneys are also an organ that is good at "patience", it does not easily show its fatigue and pain, and only sends us a distress signal when it is really unable to support it.
But unfortunately, many times, when we realize that there is something wrong with our kidneys, we have often missed the best time. The incubation period of kidney disease is very long, and the early symptoms are not obvious, so many patients have already progressed to a more severe stage by the time they are discovered, such as uremia. The uremia challenge facing our country cannot be ignored. According to authoritative data, the number of uremia patients nationwide is as high as 2.9 million, and the incidence rate has reached an astonishing 170.1 million.
The fact that more than half of these patients have uremia that is closely related to nephritis further highlights the potential threat of nephritis to kidney health.
Uremia is not an independent disease, but a group of clinical syndromes in which multiple kidney diseases progress to the end-stage stage. Whether it is primary kidney disease or secondary kidney disease, as long as it is not controlled in a timely and effective manner, it may gradually deteriorate and eventually evolve into uremia.
This means that for the prevention of uremia, we must start from the source and pay attention to the early diagnosis and development of kidney disease.
Clinically, doctors usually tell if a person has uremia by assessing the glomerular filtration rate and blood creatinine values. When the glomerular filtration rate is less than 15 mL min or the serum creatinine value is higher than 707 mol L, the doctor will further look for water, electrolyte, acid-base balance disorders, and other systemic symptoms.
Once these symptoms appear, the diagnosis of uremia can be confirmed. So what causes the high incidence of uremia? It may not be related to tobacco or alcohol, and the following behaviors may induce uremia.
1. Excessive fatigue
Prolonged exposure to high-intensity work, lack of rest and relaxation, can keep the body in a state of stress for a long time, leading to a weakened immune system, which in turn increases the burden on the kidneys. In the long term, it may lead to kidney disease and then uremia.
2. Stay up late
Staying up late can break the body's biological clock, leading to endocrine system disruption and affecting the normal function of the kidneys. In addition, staying up late may also lead to a decrease in immunity, making the body vulnerable to attacks by viruses and bacteria, further increasing the burden on the kidneys.
3. Hold urine
Holding urine can cause urine to stay in the bladder for too long, increasing the chance of bacteria growing and triggering urinary tract infections. Holding urine for a long time can also lead to impaired kidney function, which may eventually lead to uremia.
4. Abuse of drugs and health products
Many drugs and health products need to be excreted by the kidneys during the metabolic process, and long-term consumption of large amounts will increase the burden on the kidneys and lead to impaired kidney function. In particular, those drugs that have a damaging effect on the kidneys, such as antibiotics and diuretics, should be used with caution.
First, observe the condition of the urine. Normally, urine should be yellowish or colorless and clear, but if the urine is too dark, cloudy, or smelly, it could be a sign of a kidney problem.
In addition, if the urine is foamy and does not go away for a long time, it may also be a sign of kidney disease. All of these conditions require prompt medical examination.
Second, pay attention to the puffiness of the body. Kidney disease can cause fluid balance in the body, causing swelling of the body. Especially after waking up in the morning, if you notice puffiness on your eyelids or face, or if you have significant swelling in your ankles, calves, etc., during the day, it can be a sign of kidney disease. In this case, you should see a doctor immediately for a check-up.
Finally, focus on the fatigue of the body. Kidney disease can lead to fatigue and fatigue because the kidneys are unable to effectively eliminate waste products and toxins, resulting in an increased burden on the body. If you feel tired for a long time and it doesn't get away with rest, you should be alert to kidney health problems.
First of all, diet is the cornerstone of kidney nourishment. We should focus on eating foods rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, such as lean meats, fish, eggs, fresh vegetables and fruits.
These foods not only provide adequate nutrients for the kidneys, but also promote the detoxification function of the kidneys. At the same time, it is necessary to control salt intake, because a high-salt diet will increase the burden on the kidneys and easily cause kidney disease.
Secondly, maintaining a moderate amount of exercise is also essential for kidney health. Proper exercise can promote blood circulation, improve metabolism, and help the kidneys flush out toxins and waste products from the body.
It is recommended to do at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every day, such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, etc. In addition, you can also try some exercises recommended by TCM to nourish the kidney, such as Tai Chi and Baduanjin, which can harmonize qi and blood and enhance the function of the kidneys.
In addition, maintaining a good routine is also the key to nourishing the kidneys. Adequate sleep helps the kidneys repair and regenerate, and we should ensure 7-8 hours of sleep per night. At the same time, avoid staying up late and overexertion, which can damage the health of your kidneys.
In addition, mental health should not be overlooked. Maintaining a happy mood helps to harmonize qi and blood, which is beneficial to kidney health. We can relax our minds and reduce stress through meditation, yoga, and other methods.