Uncle Zhang held a health magazine in his hand, pointed to an article on the relationship between kidney disease and uremia with a solemn expression, and his voice was slightly excited: "Sister Li, look at this report, kidney problems are not a trivial matter, and if you are not careful, it may develop into uremia."
Aunt Li frowned slightly when she heard this, and responded disapprecantly: "Don't be so nervous. Who hasn't had a little problem now, as long as you pay attention to your diet and stay up less late, your kidneys are so prone to problems. ”
Uncle Zhang obviously disagreed with Aunt Li's understatement, and he further explained: "You didn't read the report that many patients with kidney disease are because they ignore the early symptoms, and it is too late to find out.
01. The role of the kidneys
Excretion of waste and toxins: The kidneys are like an efficient purification plant in the human body, which effectively filters out metabolic wastes, excess water, electrolytes and drug metabolites in the blood through the filtration of glomeruli, and forms urine for excretion.
Blood pressure regulation: The kidneys are involved in complex blood pressure regulation mechanisms, including activating the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system through the secretion of renin, which regulates vasoconstriction and relaxation;
It affects blood volume and osmotic pressure through sodium excretion and potassium preservation, and indirectly affects blood pressure level. The normal function of the kidneys directly affects the stability of the cardiovascular system, and is closely related to the occurrence of hypertension, heart disease and other diseases.
Acid-base balance regulation: The kidneys maintain the blood pH within a narrow range of 7.35-7.45 by regulating the excretion of acidic or alkaline substances in the urine, ensuring a suitable acid-base environment required for cell metabolism. Impaired kidney function can lead to acid-base imbalances, leading to a series of physiological disorders.
Hormone synthesis: The kidneys are not only excretory organs, but also have endocrine functions. It can synthesize and secrete a variety of important hormones, such as erythropoietin, which promotes the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow and prevents anemia;
Synthesizes active vitamin D, regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism, maintains bone health, releases renin, and participates in blood pressure regulation and fluid balance management.
"Intelligent regulator" of fluid balance: The kidneys precisely regulate the production and excretion of urine according to the body's needs, so as to maintain the balance of water and electrolytes in the body. Whether it's dehydration, edema, or electrolyte imbalances, it can be associated with abnormal kidney function.
Immune defense: The kidney is rich in immune cells, which can recognize and remove pathogenic microorganisms and foreign substances in the body, and participate in the clearance of immune complexes to prevent the occurrence of immune-mediated kidney diseases such as glomerulonephritis.
02. These two conditions may be signs of kidney disease
Fatigue and lack of energy: People with kidney disease often have unexplained, difficult-to-relieve fatigue and difficulty recovering even with adequate rest. This is due to the fact that toxins affect the energy metabolism of muscle cells, causing general fatigue.
Kidney disease can cause neurological symptoms such as lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, and mood swings. This may be related to factors such as electrolyte imbalances due to decreased kidney function, acid-base imbalances, anemia, and neuropathy specific to some kidney diseases.
Abnormal urine: Kidney disease can cause an increase or decrease in urine output. Polyuria is common in diabetic nephropathy, diabetes insipidus, etc., while oliguria often indicates severe impairment of renal function, such as acute kidney injury and chronic renal failure.
Urine that is dark yellow, brown, or even soy sauce may indicate hematuria, and cloudy or cloudy suspensions may be associated with proteinuria, which is typical of impaired renal filtration barriers. Large amounts of foam that do not dissipate, especially small and dense foam, may be a sign of proteinuria.
Symptoms such as urinary frequency, urgency, and dysuria may indicate a urinary tract infection or kidney disease such as pyelonephritis, especially if accompanied by symptoms such as fever and low back pain.
A marked increase in nocturnal urination and a large urine output may be associated with tubular dysfunction or early chronic kidney disease. Urine that smells like ammonia or rotten apples may be associated with a decreased ability of the kidneys to clear metabolites, especially in cases such as diabetic ketoacidosis.
03. How to protect your kidneys in life
Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water every day can help maintain normal metabolism and detoxification of the kidneys, prevent urine concentration, and reduce the risk of urinary tract stone formation.
Eat a balanced diet: Limit daily salt intake to avoid increasing the burden on the kidneys and the risk of high blood pressure, and eat more fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains to reduce the toxin load on the kidneys.
Healthy lifestyle: Tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption can increase the burden on the kidneys, induce or worsen kidney disease, and smoking should be stopped and alcohol intake should be restricted.
Regular work and rest: Get enough sleep and avoid overexertion can help maintain overall health, including kidney function.
Active exercise: Moderate aerobic exercise can enhance cardiopulmonary function, improve blood circulation, and benefit kidney health.
In daily life, we should keep in mind the wisdom of "preventing the slightest", pay attention to the subtle changes in the body, and capture the early signs of kidney disease in time.
It is also necessary to establish a scientific concept of health, avoid blindly following the trend or believing in home remedies, treat the concept of kidney deficiency rationally, and avoid excessive nourishment and increasing the burden on the kidneys.
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