Kamile Baysal

 

 

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     I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Omer Faruk, a nephrologist at the Baptist South Miami Hospital. We discussed ways to maintain healthy kidneys, those who are at the highest risk, as well as treatments and best approaches to early intervention. These insights were helpful to understand the increasingly large matter of kidney-related health issues in the U.S., plus what we can do to reduce the number of adults who suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD), ie. 

 

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Important Lifestyle Habits

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     Several lifestyle habits have components that impact the health of your kidneys. The most obvious being maintaining a healthy diet (low in salt, processed foods, or added sugars) and exercising regularly. Some of the leading causes of kidney-related health issues are increased blood pressure and sugar. Therefore, keeping those regulated is a good preventative measure. Additionally, the chemicals in cigarettes reduce blood flow to the kidneys, negatively affecting the ability to filter waste, so steering clear of smoking would also be a smart decision. 

 

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Who is at high risk? What can they do to protect themselves?​

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     The major risk factors in unhealthy kidneys include: diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, older age, and a genetic/family history of kidney disease. Moreover, those parts of the African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American populations are at greater risk. Maintaining good lifestyle habits, most importantly: controlling blood pressure/sugar and a 

healthy weight, is a good prevention method to avoid kidney damage. Furthermore, not using any nephrotoxic medications, the most common being Ibuprofen.

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What are some early warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored?

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     One of the functions of healthy kidneys is the filtering of excess fluids and sodium from the blood. When the kidneys are unhealthy, these fluids get built up within the tissues. Most commonly resulting in swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, or even around the eyes. Changes in frequency, amount, or color of urination are also a sign of kidney problems. More specifically, foamy urine is a symptom of proteinuria, which is an excess amount of protein in the urine, signaling kidney failure. Symptoms in more advanced stages of kidney-related issues include: persistent nausea, poor appetite, or a metallic taste in the mouth. The majority of people don’t acknowledge these symptoms until advanced stages, which is why screenings and tests are important. 

 

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What screenings or lab tests should be taken to check the health of kidney function? How often should they be taken?

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     For the general population, periodic checkups may be done less often unless there is any likelihood. However, for those who are high risk, annual screenings are highly recommended. The most standard testing to measure kidney function is blood tests for creatinine and the calculation of eGFR. Creatinine is a waste product from the blood that is excreted through urine. If there are high levels of it in the blood, this could be connected to the lack of function of the kidneys. eGFR, on a similar note, is the estimated glomerular filtration rate, which measures the overall ability of the kidneys to filtrate wastes from the blood. 

 

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Is kidney damage reversible if caught early?

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     Kidney damage (if caught early) is reversible, especially if caused by diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure). With certain implemented lifestyle changes and proper treatment, it can be stabilized, and progression can be slowed down significantly. Once there is structural damage, however, full reversal is very uncommon. Despite this, ridding of proteinuria (excess protein in urine) and improving general kidney function is possible. The best approach to early intervention would be to maintain a healthy lifestyle and start taking protective medications. Some examples include ACE inhibitors or ARBs, which are often used to treat hypertension or heart failure. 

 

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Conclusion

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     Properly functioning kidneys are essential for overall health. By adopting healthy habits, taking preventive measures, and seeking timely treatment, we can significantly reduce the number of people affected by kidney disease.

 

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