A lot of us don’t think about our kidneys until something goes wrong. But did you know that your kidneys work 24 hours to keep you healthy?
They’re only about the size of your hand, but they get the job done. Without healthy kidneys, our bodies can’t get rid of toxins the right way, which can be very bad for our health.
Let’s talk about what kind of kidney problems people usually have, how to keep your kidneys healthy, and what kinds of treatments are out there if something goes wrong.
Common Kidney Problems
You may be surprised to know that a lot of Malaysians have diseases that affect their kidneys but they are not aware of it.
Let’s look at some of them.
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
This is one of the worst and most common condition. In this case, your kidneys will slowly lose their ability to funtion over time. It is usually caused by having diabetes, high blood pressure, or taking certain medicines for a long period of time. - Stones in the kidneys
These are tough chemical buildups that happen in your kidneys. They may cause sharp pain in your back or side, and you may experience blood in the urine at times. - Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
If you don’t treat a UTI, it can spread to your kidneys from the bladder. This may lead to fevers, back pain, and frequent visit to the toilet. - Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
This is a kidney condition that happens suddenly and is usually caused by dehydration, infection, or reaction to certain drugs. This needs to be treated right away. - Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
This is a genetic condition where many cysts form in the kidneys, making it hard for kidneys to filter waste properly.
Warning Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Problems
Kidney failure often comes on slowly. A lot of people may not realise it until it is too late. Hence, it is important for early detection. Watch out for these symptoms:
- Swelling in Legs, feet or face
- Urine that is foamy or bubbly (a sign of protein leaks)
- Blood in urine
- Frequent urination at night
- Feeling weak or tired all the times
- Poor appetite, nausea, or vomiting
- High blood pressure
- Itchy skin
- Difficulty in sleeping or concentrating
Seek medical treatment immediately if you have these signs. Early detection can slow or prevent kidney damage.
How to Prevent Kidney Problems
Good news is that there are ways to prevent kidney problems. Here are a few.
- Get enough water.
Water helps your kidneys flush out toxins. Drink at least six to eight glasses of water daily, or more if you sweat a lot.
- Keep your blood sugar and blood pressure in check.
Diabetes and high blood pressure are the main reasons why kidneys fail. Regular check-ups will help you keep your levels in check.
- Eat a healthy food.
Eat food that is low in salt, sugar, and oil. Eat more fruits and vegetables.
- Avoid long-term use of painkillers or traditional herbs without medical advice
Taking pain killers (like ibuprofen or naproxen) and herbal supplements in a long time, can harm your kidneys.
- Don’t smoke or drink too much.
These habits will damage your blood vessels and make it harder for blood to flow to the kidneys.
- Regular exercise
Regular exercise to control your weight and blood pressure, which is good for your kidneys.
- Get regular checkups with your doctor.
Yearly health check. Check your kidney health if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease.
Foods That Are Good for Your Kidneys
There are food that you can consume to improve kidney health.
- Water and herbal teas – help flush toxins.
- Leafy greens (like spinach, sawi, and kangkung) – high in vitamins and minerals.
- Berries (strawberries, blueberries, cranberries) – rich in antioxidants.
- Garlic and onions – help reduce inflammation.
- Fish (like salmon, sardine, mackerel) – contain omega-3, which helps lower blood pressure.
- Apples and pears – help reduce cholesterol and support digestion.
- Olive oil – a healthy fat choice that’s gentle on kidneys
Food to avoid
There are food that you should limit intake on, in order to keep your kidneys healthy.
- Salty food – too much salt increases blood pressure and stresses the kidneys.
- Processed food (instant noodles, sausages, canned food) – high in sodium and preservatives.
- Sugary drinks (soft drinks, bubble tea, sweetened coffee) – raise the risk of diabetes.
- Red meat and organ meat – too much protein can strain your kidneys.
- Excessive coffee or alcohol – dehydrates your body and affects kidney function.
Remember that balanced-diet is very important. Also, make sure sufficient fluid intake is equally important.
Treatment Options for Kidney Problems
There are a few treatment options for kidney problems, depending on the seriousness of the disease.
Change in Lifestyle and medication intake
If kidney problems are detected early, doctors may recommend controlling blood pressure, blood sugar, and diet. There are also medication that can be taken to reduce protein leakage in urine or slow down kidney damage.
Dialysis
When kidneys can no longer filter waste, dialysis is needed. It uses a machine to clean your blood. There are two main types — haemodialysis (done at a centre) and peritoneal dialysis (can be done at home).
Kidney transplant
For severe or end-stage kidney failure, a transplant is the best long-term treatment. The damaged kidney is replaced with a healthy one from a donor.