Kidney Disease is one of the growing concerns that has affected millions of people in India. This is mainly because most cases are detected only once the patient reaches the advanced stage.
Taking proactive steps for early detection and treatment of kidney diseases can significantly improve the outcomes or at least delay the need for aggressive or invasive treatment. Additionally, being proactive also reduces the risk of serious complications. In today’s article, we explore the following:
- Early detection of Kidney Disease
- Benefits of early detection and treatment of Kidney Disease
- Steps to detect and treat Kidney Disease Early
- Treatment options for Kidney Disease
Early detection of kidney disease
The key to delaying the progression of a disease is early detection and treatment. Unfortunately, most kidney diseases go undetected until it has reached the advanced stage. This is because many symptoms related to kidney diseases such as loss of appetite and nausea go unnoticed or are mistaken for other health conditions.
One of the ways to prevent this from happening is by being proactive and getting regular health checkups including routine blood and urine tests can detect kidney diseases in their early stages even before the symptoms appear. It is especially recommended for people who have a strong family background of diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disorders.
This way you can easily detect renal diseases in their early stage and have the option to slow down or halt their progression. Moreover, it will also eliminate the need for time-consuming and risky invasive procedures such as dialysis or kidney transplant.
Benefits of early detection and treatment of kidney disease
There are several benefits of early detection and treatment of kidney disease including the following:
- Improved quality of life
Early detection of kidney disease means early intervention to relieve the symptoms and manage the disease. It can prevent unnecessary complications such as anemia, bone disease, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Reduced risk of complications
Complications such as kidney failure, heart disease, and high blood pressure can make things worse. Early detection and management of the disease can help you avoid such situations.
- Reduced Healthcare cost
Early detection and treatment reduce the healthcare cost by avoiding or delaying the healthcare cost needed for invasive treatment in advanced stages such as dialysis and kidney transplant.
- Increased life expectancy
Modern medicine and technology has made it easy for us to enjoy longer lives. Unsurprisingly, people living with Kidney Disease are more likely to survive longer when they receive the right type of treatment.
Steps to take to detect and treat kidney disease early
There are several steps that one can take to detect and treat kidney diseases. Some of them are as follows:
- Know your risk factors
People who come from a family background of kidney disease, diabetes, or hypertension are more likely to acquire renal diseases. Therefore, understanding and analyzing the risk is the first step in early detection.
- Regular health checkups:
Regular health checkups are the key to early disease detection. You can easily do it by checking your blood pressure, urine test, or blood test. individuals with a higher risk of renal disease may have to take additional screening tests.
- Opt for a healthy lifestyle:
Managing your health early on can help you prevent the daily onset of Kidney Disease. Healthy habits such as regular consumption of fruits and vegetables, maintenance of a healthy weight, regular exercise, checking blood sugar levels, and reducing sodium intake can significantly lower the chances of getting kidney disease.
- Follow a kidney-friendly diet:
A kidney-friendly diet consists of food with low Sodium, Potassium, and phosphorus. Consumption of fruits and vegetables that fall under this criteria not only reduces strain on the kidney but also offers the necessary nutrients to our body. visiting a registered dietitian can provide you with better insight into a kidney-friendly diet.
- Take medications:
People with kidney disease are usually prescribed medication to control blood pressure and manage the protein urea. The faster you manage the disease, the slower its progress will be.
Treatment options for kidney disease
The decision to choose the right treatment option may be difficult but it is crucial. Your doctor will choose the right type of treatment option depending on your symptoms and condition of your kidney. They can choose any of the following four options:
- Medications
In most cases, the first approach is treating the patient using the right medications. It is not only a quick option to relieve the symptoms but it also slows down the trajectory of the disease. Depending on your symptoms, the medications prescribed by the doctor can be for controlling blood pressure or reducing the amount of protein in the urine.
- Lifestyle changes
Your lifestyle can significantly contribute to your health condition. For instance, excess consumption of sodium and fats can put a strain on the kidneys and result in kidney diseases. Adopting healthy habits such as quitting smoking and regular exercise can reduce this strain and delay the progress of the disease. Additionally, being proactive with regular screening tests and maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent kidney diseases.
- Dialysis
Dialysis is a treatment where excess nitrogenous wastes and fluid are filtered out from the blood. This invasive procedure is mainly divided into two types – hemodialysis, and peritoneal dialysis. The doctor may choose either of them depending on the patient’s condition and preferences.
- Kidney Transplant
Kidney transplantation is when the doctor replaces the affected kidney with a healthy one from a donor. It is one of the best treatment options for people with end-stage kidney disease because it eliminates the need for regular dialysis and hospital visits.
Conclusion
One of the best ways to prevent any kind of kidney disease is to be proactive. The more you follow the guidelines of your doctor, the more likely you are to slow down the progress of the disease. You must choose the right nephrologist for your treatment because they will develop the right treatment plan that suits individual needs and preferences.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of diet should people be at higher risk of acquiring kidney disease follow?
You must follow a kidney-friendly diet that includes food options with low sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.
- What are some of the non-invasive and invasive treatment options to manage renal diseases?
The non-invasive methods of treating kidney diseases include medications and change in lifestyle. The invasive treatment option includes dialysis and kidney transplantation.
- How can I diagnose kidney diseases early?
A combination of blood and urine tests can help you diagnose kidney disease easily. If you belong to the high-risk group, the healthcare professional may perform additional tests.