Even if you take good care of yourself, get plenty of exercise and eat a balanced diet your kidneys may need attention. Unfortunately, there are not really any symptoms to tell you that you have kidney disease until the issue is quite advanced. But by taking care of your body, you are much less likely to have issues and it is also important to know what risks make it more likely for you to need to get kidney failure treatment.
Some signs that you have kidney failure could include weakness, shortness of breath, confusion, lethargy, or swelling. These symptoms are caused by built-up waste products as well as excess fluid that the body is unable to get rid of. Other symptoms can include loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, and puffy eyes. If you have any concerns at all, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor right away. Kidney disease is a very serious condition, and it is much more manageable when caught early on.
If you have diabetes or problems with blood sugar or you have high blood pressure, you could be at a higher risk. You may also be at a higher risk if you have heart disease or if a close family member has kidney disease such as your mother or brother. A GFR blood test and a urine protein test will tell your doctor whether or not your kidneys are in good shape. In some instances kidney failure is treatable, and the kidneys can actually return to normal with the right treatment and if caught early enough.
If you have chronic kidney disease, you will need to slow down its progression and to aid your kidneys to keep functioning for as long as possible. Your doctor will determine if you got kidney disease because of diabetes or high blood pressure and will prescribe medications. You may need to change your diet. If your kidneys do not work any longer, you will need dialysis which will filter your blood for you. You may also need to get a kidney transplant. If you need to get a kidney transplant, you may need to get on a waiting list until a match is found unless someone in your family is a match and can give you one. High blood pressure is a main cause of kidney disease, and you may need to take inhibitors such as Ramipril, Enalapril, or Lisinopril.
Your kidneys are very important, and they have many jobs. They manage the levels of electrolytes in the body, control blood pressure, stimulate the growth of red blood cells and rid the body of toxins. Kidney disease is considered to be a progressive disease which means that the damage that is done is pretty much irreversible. It is ideal to catch kidney disease in the early stages which can be difficult to do but not impossible. If you have diabetes, you will need to be especially careful and follow a stick diet as well as monitor your glucose levels.