Aunt Wang has always felt that something is wrong with her body recently, she always feels tired, she has no appetite for anything, and she often gets dizzy. She thought to herself, maybe she was getting older, and her body was naturally not as good as before. But one day, she found that there was a lot of foam in her urine, and she began to mumble in her heart.
Aunt Wang went to the hospital for a check-up, and the doctor told her that it might be a precursor to uremia. Aunt Wang was shocked, she never thought she would get this disease.
The doctor explained that the precursors of uremia were not only foamy urine, but also symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and dizziness like hers, all of which were caused by the body asking her for help.
Aunt Wang had mixed feelings in her heart when she heard this, and she decided to take good care of herself and no longer ignore these small signals in her body. But what exactly is uremia? What are the other symptoms that need attention? Let's move on.
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Uremia, or the advanced stage of chronic renal failure, is when the kidneys are severely damaged and unable to perform their function of removing waste and excess water from the body properly. This causes a variety of waste products and toxins to accumulate in the bloodstream, causing multisystem symptoms. Knowing the precursors of uremia can help with timely diagnosis and treatment, potentially delaying the progression of the condition. Here are some common uremia precursors:
Changes in urine output: Significantly decreased or increased urine output, or increased urine output at night, may be an early sign of impaired renal filtration.
Edema: Decreased kidney function affects the body's ability to process water and salt, causing fluid to build up in areas of the body such as the ankles, legs, and even eyelids and face.
Fatigue and tiredness: Patients feel abnormally tired and generally weak due to toxin accumulation in the body and anemia (due to a decrease in erythropoietin produced by the kidneys).
Difficulty breathing: Fluid accumulation in the lungs, or difficulty breathing due to acidosis, are common symptoms of uremia.
Itchy and pigmented skin: Itchy skin may occur due to irritation of the skin when waste products such as urea are excreted through the skin, and uremia may also cause skin pigmentation.
Lifestyle effects on kidney health
Diet and kidney health
A sensible diet is essential to keep your kidneys healthy. A high-salt diet is an important factor in the development of high blood pressure, which in turn is one of the main causes of chronic kidney disease.
Reducing salt intake can help control blood pressure, which can reduce stress on the kidneys. In addition, excessive protein intake increases the burden on the kidneys, which need to filter more metabolic waste.
It is recommended to focus on plant-based protein and reduce the intake of animal-based protein to reduce the risk of kidney disease.
Water intake and kidney function
Adequate water intake helps the kidneys eliminate metabolic waste and toxins and prevent the formation of kidney stones. The recommended daily water intake for adults is about 1.5 to 2 litres.
However, drinking too much water can also increase the workload of the kidneys, especially if the kidney function is already declining, so the amount of water you drink should be adjusted according to the individual's health condition.
At the same time, excessive alcohol intake can also affect the function of the kidneys and increase their burden. In addition, some medications, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can damage kidney tissue when used in large amounts over a long period of time.
The importance of physical activity
Regular physical activity can help control weight, prevent high blood pressure and diabetes, and indirectly protect kidney health. Activities should be based on aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, for at least 150 minutes per week.
Preventive measures for kidney disease
Check your kidney function regularly
For high-risk groups, such as those with diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease, regular kidney function tests are important. This can help detect potential kidney problems early and treat them early.
Control blood sugar and blood pressure
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two main causes of chronic kidney disease. Effective control of blood sugar and blood pressure not only slows the progression of kidney disease, but also prevents the occurrence of other complications. This needs to be achieved through a sensible diet, regular exercise, and necessary medications.
Cultivating healthy lifestyle habits
It is also very important to avoid staying up late and reduce stress, as poor lifestyle habits and high-pressure states can increase the body's hormone levels, which can put a strain on the kidneys. In addition, it is advisable not to use health supplements and tonics indiscriminately, as these products may contain ingredients that are harmful to the kidneys.
Drink plenty of water and urinate regularly
Drinking plenty of water helps the kidneys flush out waste products and prevents urine from staying in the bladder for too long, thus reducing the risk of urinary tract infections. Developing the habit of urinating regularly and avoiding holding urine for long periods of time can protect the health of the bladder and kidneys.