The kidneys, as one of the important organs in the human body, are not only responsible for filtering impurities in the blood, maintaining the balance of body fluids and electrolytes, but also participate in various physiological functions such as blood pressure regulation and red blood cell generation. However, when the kidneys are damaged, their normal function will gradually be lost, ultimately leading to kidney failure and even uremia.
1、 The evolution process of kidney disease
Nephritis stage
Nephritis is the early stage of kidney disease, usually caused by various factors such as infection, immunity, and medication. During the nephritis phase, the glomeruli and tubules of the kidney are damaged to varying degrees, leading to a decrease in the filtration function of the kidney. Proteins, red blood cells, and other components in the blood leak out, resulting in symptoms such as proteinuria and hematuria. At this point, the patient may not experience any significant discomfort, or may only show mild fatigue, discomfort in the lower back, etc.
Renal compensation period
As nephritis progresses, the damage to the kidneys gradually worsens, but the kidneys can still maintain normal physiological functions through their own compensatory mechanisms. At this stage, patients may experience symptoms such as increased nocturia, decreased urine output, and edema. At this point, if timely and effective treatment can be received, the damage to the kidneys may be reversed or delayed to a certain extent.
Renal failure phase
When the damage to the kidneys exceeds their compensatory capacity, the kidneys will be unable to maintain normal physiological functions and enter the renal failure phase. At this point, the patient may experience symptoms such as systemic edema, hypertension, anemia, and electrolyte imbalance. The stage of renal failure can be divided into acute and chronic types. Acute renal failure usually has a sudden onset and rapid progression of the condition; Chronic kidney failure, on the other hand, has a insidious onset and a longer course of illness.
Uremia stage
Uremia is the final stage of renal failure, during which kidney function is almost completely lost, making it difficult to effectively eliminate metabolic waste and excess water from the body, resulting in significantly increased levels of toxins such as urea nitrogen and creatinine in the blood. Patients may experience serious symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, and blurred consciousness. The stage of uremia is the final stage of kidney disease, and if left untreated, it can endanger the patient's life.
2、 Kidney disease prevention and treatment methods for different populations
(1) Healthy population
1. Lifestyle adjustment
Maintain a healthy and regular daily routine, ensure 7-9 hours of sleep every night, and avoid overexertion and staying up late. Persist in at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity every day, such as brisk walking, swimming, cycling, etc., to maintain a healthy weight.
2. Dietary adjustment
Eat a light diet and reduce salt intake. It is recommended to consume no more than 6 grams of salt per day and avoid consuming pickled and high salt foods. Balanced diet, increasing intake of fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains to ensure nutritional balance. Drinking water, with a recommended daily intake of 1.5-2L, can help dilute urine and reduce the risk of stone formation.
3. Prevention of infection
Pay attention to keeping warm, avoid upper respiratory tract infections such as colds, and reduce the potential damage of viruses to the kidneys. Maintain indoor air circulation and avoid prolonged exposure to enclosed environments.
4. Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption
Quit smoking to avoid harmful substances in tobacco that can damage the kidneys. Moderate alcohol consumption is necessary to avoid the damage to the liver and kidneys caused by excessive drinking.
5. Avoid drug abuse
Do not take drugs indiscriminately, especially nephrotoxic drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, certain antibiotics, etc. If necessary, medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor and the doctor should be informed of one's history of drug allergies.
6. Regular physical examination
Regular urine routine, kidney function, and kidney ultrasound examinations are recommended, with at least one examination per year. Understand your blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids and other indicators, and seek medical attention promptly if there are any abnormalities.
7. Understand family history
Understand whether there is a history of kidney disease in the family, and if so, pay more attention to kidney health.
（2） People with diseases that may cause kidney damage (such as diabetes, hypertension, etc.)
1. Actively treat the primary disease
Under the guidance of professional doctors, take drugs on time and in quantity, and control risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, hyperuricemia, obesity, hyperlipidemia, etc. Regularly monitor blood pressure, blood glucose, blood lipids and other indicators to ensure they are controlled within normal ranges.
2. Lifestyle adjustments
In addition to the recommendations for healthy individuals mentioned above, special attention should be paid to controlling the intake of sugar, salt, and fat. Increasing the intake of dietary fiber can help lower blood sugar and blood lipids.
（3） Patients with early-stage kidney disease
1. Active treatment
Under the guidance of professional doctors, actively treat primary kidney disease, control proteinuria levels, and delay or reverse the progression of renal dysfunction. If necessary, further examinations such as renal biopsy can be performed to clarify the diagnosis and develop treatment plans.
2. Dietary adjustment
Choose a high calorie, high-quality protein diet, such as lean meat, eggs, milk, etc., to ensure the body's nutritional needs. Consuming phosphorus and potassium to avoid the occurrence of hyperphosphatemia and hyperkalemia. If there are symptoms of edema, water intake should be appropriately restricted.
3. Avoid aggravating factors
Avoid risk factors for acute exacerbation of kidney disease such as infection and fatigue. Control existing complications such as anemia, hypertension, etc.
4. Persist in treatment and follow-up
Follow the guidance of professional doctors for medication and follow-up, and do not reduce or stop taking medication on your own. Regularly conduct urine routine, renal function, and renal ultrasound examinations to understand changes in the condition.
5. Managing Complications
For existing complications such as anemia, hypertension, electrolyte imbalances, etc., active treatment should be sought to reduce the burden on the kidneys and control the progression of the condition. For anemia, it may be necessary to supplement iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12, or receive blood transfusion treatment according to the doctor's advice. For hypertension, in addition to medication treatment, attention should also be paid to adjusting diet and lifestyle, such as reducing salt intake, increasing potassium intake, and losing weight.
6. Traditional Chinese medicine health care
Under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine theory, combined with the patient's constitution and condition, appropriate traditional Chinese medicine health care methods, such as acupuncture and moxibustion, massage, herbal medicine, etc., are adopted to assist western medicine treatment and improve the quality of life. However, it should be noted that traditional Chinese medicine treatment should be carried out under the guidance of professional Chinese medicine doctors, and do not use herbs or folk remedies on your own.
7. Dealing with Emergency Situations
Understand how to deal with emergency situations that may be caused by kidney disease, such as acute kidney injury, electrolyte imbalance, etc. Keep necessary first aid drugs and equipment at home and know how to use them correctly.
8. Continuous learning and updating of knowledge
The treatment and management of kidney disease is a long-term process, and patients should maintain an attitude of continuous learning and updating of knowledge. Pay attention to the latest medical research results and treatment methods in order to adjust your treatment plan in a timely manner.
For different populations, there are different focuses on the prevention and treatment of kidney disease, but the core is to focus on prevention, early detection, and early treatment. Through scientific lifestyle adjustments and active treatment, we can effectively protect kidney health and prevent the occurrence and development of kidney diseases.