Wang Qiang, 42, is a bank clerk. During a recent physical examination, his urinalysis was abnormal: two plus signs of urine protein. The doctor told him that it could be a sign of kidney disease and advised him to go to the nephrologist for further tests.
Wang Qiang was a little worried, but he still came to the hospital on time. Nephrologist Li Hua carefully inquired about his medical history and lifestyle habits, and arranged a series of examinations. The results showed that Wang Qiang did have early-stage diabetic nephropathy.
"Mr. Wang, your condition is quite timely, and your kidney function has not been significantly damaged. "At present, in addition to medication, I recommend that you do more leg exercises in your daily life, and stick to it for 3 minutes a day, which will greatly help improve kidney function." "
"Three minutes of leg exercise a day? Wang Qiang seems to see hope.
"Don't underestimate these 3 minutes. "Moderate lower limb exercises, such as jogging, brisk walking, cycling, etc., can promote blood circulation in the lower limbs, speed up kidney metabolism, and help flush out excess urine protein." And this kind of exercise is simple and easy, not limited by time and space, and can be done at home. The key is to persevere!"
Under the guidance of the doctor, Wang Qiang began his "3-minute exercise" journey. At first, he was a little skeptical, but as time went on, he was pleasantly surprised to find that his urine protein level was gradually decreasing!
In fact, exercise therapy is not new in the management of kidney disease.
As early as the 80s of the 20th century, relevant studies abroad have shown that moderate aerobic exercise can delay the progression of chronic kidney disease. In recent years, there has been increasing evidence that exercise can not only improve kidney function, but also reduce proteinuria and improve cardiovascular complications.
So, how exactly does exercise exert its "magical" therapeutic effect?
First, exercise can increase blood flow to the kidneys, speed up glomerular filtration, and the excretion of protein in the urine. Second, exercise can improve insulin resistance and reduce glomerular hypertension and hyperfiltration.
Thirdly, exercise also regulates the renin-angiotensin system, reducing inflammation throughout the body and kidneys.
Of course, exercise prescriptions aren't "one-size-fits-all".
For different kidney diseases, the type and intensity of exercise should also be different. Taking diabetic nephropathy as an example, studies have found that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, jogging, etc., for 150-300 minutes per week, can significantly reduce urine protein levels and delay the deterioration of kidney function.
For immune-mediated glomerular diseases such as IgA nephropathy, too strenuous exercise may aggravate proteinuria, and low-intensity exercise such as tai chi and yoga is appropriate.
Exercise therapy may seem simple, but it also requires professional guidance and an individualized approach.
Blind exercise is not only difficult to achieve therapeutic results, but may be counterproductive.
Therefore, patients with kidney disease should consult a doctor or rehabilitation professional before exercising, and formulate a reasonable exercise plan according to their own condition and physical strength. During exercise, it is also necessary to pay close attention to the body's reactions, and if discomfort occurs, you should adjust or stop exercising in time.
From a broader perspective, the effect of the "3-minute exercise" reflects a new trend in chronic disease management models. In the past, the treatment of chronic diseases was mainly based on drugs, and the importance of lifestyle interventions was neglected.
However, with the transformation of the modern medical model, the integrated treatment strategy of "drug +" has received increasing attention. Through comprehensive interventions such as exercise, diet, and psychology, the prognosis of chronic diseases may be fundamentally improved and the quality of life of patients can be improved.
Chronic diseases are like a "marathon" of life, which requires long-term and continuous struggle. In the face of diseases, we must follow the doctor's instructions and standardize the use of medicines, but we must also learn to optimize ourselves in daily life and make a healthy lifestyle a habit. Perhaps, the seemingly simple "3 minutes" contains the power to change lives.
Health is not achieved overnight, it requires our accumulation bit by bit, and the combination of science and life. As long as we have hope and practice the concept of health with actions, we will definitely be able to go further and more steadily on the road of chronic disease management. Let's work hand in hand to create a healthy future with optimism and perseverance!