The kidneys are the "purification factory" of the human body, which has the ability to purify blood, excrete urine, regulate water, electrolytes, and acid-base balance, and achieve a stable internal environment. In addition, the kidneys can also synthesize renin, erythropoietin, active vitamin D and other substances to regulate red blood cell formation, calcium and phosphorus metabolism and other functions.
Kidney disease is the "silent killer", it is not painful or itchy, there are often no obvious symptoms in the early stage, and if there is no regular physical examination, most patients will not show uncomfortable symptoms until the late stage of kidney disease. Therefore, it is recommended that early screening, prevention, early detection and early treatment should be given. Regularly test urine routine and kidney function, and find out the "silent killer" on the side of your "kidney" in time. Let's take a look at some of the most common and important tests.
1. Urinalysis
Collect "midstream urine". The purpose of leaving urine in the middle is to reduce the chance of contamination of the collected urine. Fresh urine should be tested within 1-2 hours. Women do not have a urine test during menstruation, and keep urine for 3 days after menstruation. Don't drink too much water before urinating to avoid diluting the urine.
1. Urine sediment cytology:
(1) Elevated white blood cells (WBC), which can be seen in urinary tract infections, stones, tuberculosis, tumors, etc. If it is accompanied by symptoms such as urinary frequency, urgency, and dysuria, urinary tract infection is more considered.
(2) Elevated red blood cells (RBC), which can be seen in glomerulonephritis, renal tuberculosis, kidney stones, pyelonephritis, kidney tumors, renal trauma, heart failure, urinary tract infection, prostatitis, bladder cancer, urinary vascular malformations and bleeding diseases, as well as systemic lupus erythematosus, aplastic anemia, etc. Normal people, especially adolescents, can have temporary microscopic hematuria after strenuous exercise, cold bathing, standing for a long time or heavy physical labor, which is a physiological change range of transient hematuria.
2. Urine protein (PRO): If the urine continues to contain protein, it is common in acute and chronic nephritis, nephrotic syndrome caused by various reasons, urinary tract infection (such as pyelonephritis, cystitis, renal tuberculosis), other conditions include febrile diseases, cardiac insufficiency, hypertensive nephropathy, diabetic nephropathy, etc., as well as after the use of drugs that damage the kidneys.
3. Urine occult blood (BLD):
Physiological changes: After staying up late, exertion, and strenuous exercise, the specimen is left for too long, and the red blood cells in the urine are destroyed.
Pathologically positive: transfusions with inappropriate blood type, fava bean disease, severe burns or infections, and inflammation caused by certain drugs or toxins. Various episodes of hemolytic anemia, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and allergic hemoglobinuria.
2. Renal function
1. Blood creatinine (CREA), blood urea (UREA): increased in various kidney diseases, renal failure, myocarditis, heart failure, muscle damage, etc.
2. Cystatin C (CysC): High cystatin C is an early indicator of the decline of renal excretion function, and its sensitivity is earlier than blood creatinine and urea. It is commonly found in secondary kidney diseases such as glomerulonephritis, renal failure, primary glomerular disease, and diabetic nephropathy.
In addition to regular physical examinations to pay attention to health, if you find that there is often foam in the urine, which cannot be dissipated for a long time, or the body is swollen, nocturia increases, dry and itchy skin, often dizziness and fatigue, loss of appetite, and even nausea and vomiting, you should seek medical attention in time. You should eat a healthy diet, control your weight, and remember to use drugs indiscriminately, especially painkillers and health products!
Author: Chen Tong
Source: Shenyang Seventh People's Hospital
Editor: Ma Ping
Proofreading: Zhang Yan, Chen Zeming
First Instance: Jiang Pengjia
Review: Xu Jiang