Early Warning Signs Of Chronic Kidney Disease: Kidneys in our body work non-stop day and night. It plays an important role in filtering waste materials from the blood, maintaining the balance of fluids in the body, controlling blood pressure and keeping bones and blood vessels healthy. But the matter of concern is that when kidney function starts decreasing, the body often does not give any clear signal in the initial stages. This is why chronic kidney disease is considered a silent disease.

Why is kidney disease increasing worldwide?

Recently, three research papers published in the medical journal The Lancet have warned that chronic kidney disease is becoming one of the fastest growing health challenges in the world. According to the report, about 788 to 844 million adults worldwide are affected by this disease and by the year 2040, it may reach the fifth position among the leading causes of death globally.

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Experts say that reasons like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease and increasing age are responsible for the increase in cases of kidney disease. Apart from this, today’s irregular lifestyle and poor eating habits are also putting additional pressure on the kidneys. The World Health Organization also believes that kidney disease often progresses without symptoms in the initial stages, hence timely check-up is very important.

Why is it important to detect kidney disease early?

In the first study of The Lancet, it was told that new techniques are now being used to identify kidney disease. Estimated glomerular filtration rate test, albuminuria test, advanced imaging, artificial intelligence and other modern technologies are helping to detect the disease in its early stages. Researchers believe that the earlier the disease is detected, the better the kidney can be saved.

What is the difference between kidney disease of women and men?

An interesting fact emerged in the second study. The researcher found that the effects of kidney disease are not the same in men and women. The structure of the kidneys, progress of the disease and response to treatment may be different in both the bodies. Therefore, in future, emphasis is being laid on making the treatment of kidney disease more individualized and as per the need.

a ray of hope is shining

The third study is hopeful. It was reported that new drugs such as SGLT2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and other modern treatments have shown good results in slowing the progression of kidney disease. Along with this, these medicines can also help in improving heart health. However, experts say that patients often have multiple problems like diabetes, obesity and heart disease together, hence holistic treatment is required.

What things cause problems to the kidneys?

According to Aman Puri, Founder, Steadfast Nutrition, wrong eating habits can also have a bad effect on the kidneys. He says that high-protein diet, excessive consumption of salt, sugar and unhealthy fats can put additional pressure on the kidneys. He warned that signs such as persistent swelling of hands, feet or around the eyes, changes in urine output, foamy urine, persistent fatigue, loss of appetite, metallic taste in the mouth and muscle cramps at night should not be ignored.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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Kidney Health: Nowadays people have become more conscious about their health than before. They also get many types of tests done from time to time, so that they can get updates about their health and diseases can be treated at the right time. However, when the body checkup report comes in hand, it is not easy to understand many heavy words. Especially names like uric acid and creatinine confuse people. Many people think that both of them tell the same thing, whereas the truth is that both of them give information about different conditions of the body.

According to doctors, when we see a person’s lab report, names like uric acid and creatinine often appear together. The two words are related to kidneys, but they tell two completely different stories about your health. In such a situation, it becomes very important to have correct information about them.

Creatinine: test of kidney function

Creatinine is a waste product that is formed when our muscles use energy. The body makes it in roughly the same amount every day. Healthy kidneys filter it from the blood and expel it through urine. This is why doctors consider creatinine level a reliable indicator of kidney function. To explain it in simple words, consider creatinine as the ‘speedometer’ of the kidney. It is a waste product formed from the breakdown of muscles, which healthy kidneys eliminate at a steady rate. At the same time, if creatinine level increases then it often indicates that the kidneys are not functioning properly, which can cause dehydration or kidney-related disease.

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Uric Acid: A Way to Understand Metabolism

On the other hand, uric acid is formed by the breakdown of an element called purine in the body. We get purines from many foods, such as red meat, seafood, alcohol and even some healthy foods like pulses. Uric acid level varies according to diet, lifestyle and metabolism. Dr. Ankur Singhal explains that uric acid works like a “metabolic messenger”. It is formed when your body breaks down purines present in certain foods. If the level of uric acid increases, it does not always indicate kidney problems, rather it often points towards your lifestyle habits. Like drinking less water, taking too much sugar or problems related to metabolism can cause this.

So why do people often get confused?

If we compare the two, creatinine answers a simple question: are the kidneys filtering the blood properly? At the same time, uric acid asks a slightly bigger question that how is the body handling the waste generated from metabolism and food? That means creatinine reveals the condition of kidneys and uric acid reveals our habits. Doctors say that both these reports should always be understood together, it is not right to draw conclusions after looking at just one. Sometimes the levels of both increase together, which can also be a sign of a serious kidney problem.

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