On an ordinary Wednesday afternoon, Aunt Li stepped into the community clinic with a hint of unease. She has been feeling tired lately, her ankles are a little swollen, and even her favorite walks have become inadequate. Her friend Uncle Zhang was hospitalized for kidney problems last month, which made her worry about her health.
On the advice of her doctor, Aunt Li did a series of tests, including blood and urine tests. When she got the test sheet full of jargon, she was confused. The doctor patiently explained the meaning of each indicator and made her understand the actual situation of her kidneys. It turns out that the health of kidney function is essential to our overall health, and timely check-ups can help us better understand and maintain this vital organ.
Kidneys: the body's "silent scavenger"
The kidneys, these small organs located on either side of our waists, are responsible for maintaining a stable environment in the human body. Not only are they responsible for filtering waste and excess water from the blood, forming urine for excretion, but they also regulate electrolyte balance, acid-base balance, and even participate in blood pressure control and red blood cell production. The function of the kidneys may seem simple, but in fact it is complex and delicate, and their health is directly related to the normal functioning of the entire body.
Why should I check my kidney function in a timely manner?
Kidney function tends to decline gradually as we age. However, due to the strong adaptability and compensatory mechanism of the kidney, the initial renal damage is often not easy to detect, which is why the kidney is called a "silent organ". Once symptoms appear, it often means that the kidney disease has entered a more advanced stage. Therefore, regular renal function tests are essential for early detection and prevention of kidney disease, especially for middle-aged and elderly people.
Due to the gradual slowdown of body metabolism, middle-aged and elderly people have an increased risk of various chronic diseases, such as abnormal glucose metabolism and increased blood pressure in systemic arteries, which may indirectly affect kidney health. The decline in kidney function will not only aggravate the condition of these chronic diseases, but also lead to water and electrolyte imbalances, acid-base imbalances, and even more complications, such as cardiovascular diseases, bone metabolism abnormalities, etc.
Kidney function tests usually include tests of blood and urine. Blood tests can reflect the kidneys' ability to remove waste products, such as blood creatinine (Creatinine) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Urine tests can detect the excretion of abnormal proteins or blood cells, which are often early signs of kidney disease. Through these tests, doctors are able to comprehensively assess the health of the kidneys and intervene early if necessary.
For middle-aged and older adults, renal function tests should not be seen as an optional option, but as a necessary health management measure. With regular check-ups, kidney problems can be detected and intervened at an early stage, thereby avoiding or slowing the progression of the disease and maintaining a higher quality of life. Therefore, understanding the importance of the kidneys and recognizing the need for regular check-ups is a key part of maintaining health for everyone.
Blood and urine tests: the best way to test kidney function
Kidney health is essential for middle-aged and older adults. To accurately assess kidney function, blood and urine tests are indispensable. They are like two swords of medical testing, complementing each other.
Blood tests focus on serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). These indicators reflect the kidneys' ability to filter waste products. Elevated serum creatinine usually indicates impaired renal filtration. However, it is important to note that creatinine levels can also be affected by factors such as muscle mass.
Urine tests focus on protein in the urine and sediment. Abnormal excretion of protein in the urine is an important early marker of renal injury. Healthy kidneys usually don't lose a lot of protein. Therefore, an increase in the amount of protein in the urine is often indicative of kidney disease.
Every value on the test sheet carries important health information. Understanding these key indicators can help us better understand our kidney function.
Creatinine is a product of muscle metabolism and is normally removed by the kidneys. An elevated creatinine level may indicate a decrease in the kidneys' ability to clear them. However, creatinine levels are also affected by the amount of muscle in the body, so it needs to be judged comprehensively in combination with other indicators.
Blood urea nitrogen is a waste product produced after protein metabolism. Normally, the kidneys will excrete it from the body. Elevated levels of BUN may be a sign of renal insufficiency. However, BUN can also be affected by protein intake and body water status.
In urine tests, quantification of protein in the urine is essential to assess kidney health. Normal kidneys should not allow large amounts of protein to enter the urine. Persistently elevated protein in the urine is a warning sign of kidney disease.