Kidney disease means your kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood the way they should, leading to the buildup of waste. You are at greater risk of having kidney disease if you have diabetes and high blood pressure.
March 11 is a day set aside to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys to overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and associated health problems worldwide.
Here is everything to know about the silent killer disease.
What are the symptoms of kidney disease?
- Fatigue: You get tired a lot, even when you’ve eaten well enough.
- Mouth odor: The mouth stinks of ammonia.
- Loss of appetite: You haven’t been eating well lately, and when lunch is due, you just don’t feel like it.
- Difficulty urinating and foamy urine could be symptoms of kidney stones.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- You lose concentration.
- Difficulty in breathing.
- Feeling cold every time.
- Upper back and leg pains.
- Metallic taste in the mouth.
ALSO READ: 9 Obvious Symptoms That Show You May Have Kidney Disease
What tests can you go for to detect kidney disease?
When you get to the hospital or laboratory, here are some tests you can ask to be done:
- Kidney Tissue sample
- Ultrasounds
- Urinalysis
- Blood tests (especially blood sugar)
- MRI’s
- CT scans
How do you prevent kidney diseases?
- Stop the abuse of painkillers like NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Increase your water intake
- Quit smoking.
- Reduce alcohol intake.
- Eating processed foods, e.g., foods high in sodium and phosphorus.
- Limit your sugar and salt intake
- Exercise frequently
- Minimize exposure to air pollution (carbon monoxide, toxic odours, etc.).
- Have a healthy diet by incorporating more vegetables and fruits
