The kidneys filter water, acids, and wastes from the blood. This allows waste to become urine for transport out of the body. It is necessary to pay attention to living habits in order not to damage the kidneys, which have a very important place for health. Emphasizing the importance of healthy nutrition in order to prevent kidney disease in the future, Nephrology Specialist Dr. Mustafa Eren listed 5 main factors to be considered in kidney failure.
GENERALLY NO SYMPTOMS EXCEPT FOR WEAKNESS
exp. Dr. Mustafa Eren stated that in cases of mild and moderate insufficiency of the kidneys, there are usually no symptoms other than fatigue, so kidney failure cannot be noticed until it reaches a severe level. For this reason, it is very important to eat healthy in order to prevent kidney disease in the future. Dr. Eren, “Because 60-65 percent of kidney failures are caused by diabetes and blood pressure diseases,” he said.
USE OF SALT AND SUGAR FOR THE KIDNEYS MUST BE LIMITED
Noting that kidney diseases are mostly caused by diabetes and blood pressure diseases, Uzm. Dr. Eren, “In this case, the best way to keep the kidneys healthy; eating healthy in order not to have diabetes and high blood pressure, or if there is one of these two diseases, not to delay the treatment and to keep these diseases under control. For this reason, it is very important to maintain the ideal weight by reducing high-calorie foods such as bakery products, fat, sugar, fruit and nuts. In order not to be a patient of hypertension, the most important thing to pay attention to is to reduce salty diet. When it comes to eating salty, the first thing that comes to mind is table salt. However, studies have shown that the foods that cause salty diet the most are foods containing salt such as cheese, olives, bread, tomato paste and pickles.
EXCESSIVE PROTEIN AFFECTS RENAL HEALTH
Expressing that another factor that impairs the health of the kidneys is excessive protein nutrition, the nephrologist said, “Protein-rich foods; all kinds of meat and meat products, eggs, milk and dairy products, legumes and mushrooms. Transient kidney failure may occur in those who are fed with twice as much protein as normal. Those with mild renal insufficiency should avoid excessive protein consumption. It is recommended that people with moderate kidney failure reduce protein foods a little, and those with severe kidney failure should reduce protein foods by half.
YOU SHOULD NOT USE PAIN RELIEF UNLESS MANDATORY
exp. Dr. Eren said that at the beginning of the drugs that are harmful for the kidneys, pain relievers come. Stating that pain relievers other than paracetamol are generally harmful to the kidneys, Eren said, “It is very inconvenient to use these drugs for those with kidney failure. It is also recommended not to use it out of necessity for those who do not have kidney failure. Those with kidney failure should be very careful with the use of contrast material. contrast agent; It is a mandatory substance to be used in medicated tomography, medicated MR and angiography procedures, but contrast agents can cause kidney damage or exacerbate existing kidney failure. It is recommended that those with kidney failure refrain from having these procedures unless there is a suspicion of very serious diseases or a heart attack. If these procedures are necessary, it is recommended to be performed under the control of a nephrologist.
“DRINK AT LEAST 2 LITER OF WATER PER DAY”
Emphasizing that dehydration is one of the most common causes of sudden kidney failure, the nephrologist said, “Water intake deficiency may occur in those with diarrhea and vomiting or in conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. For healthy kidneys, at least 2 liters of water should be drunk per day. In those with heart failure and edema, drinking excessive water can cause increased edema in the body and shortness of breath. For this reason, cardiology and nephrology specialists should decide together on the amount of water that those with heart failure and edema should drink.
HERBAL TREATMENTS CAN HAVE A TOXIC EFFECT
“It is recommended that those with kidney failure do not use the traditional treatment methods used for herbal treatments or use them under control,” Eren continued, adding that while it is already difficult to adjust the dose in herbal treatments, the possibility of toxic effects increases in cases where the kidneys have difficulty in removing harmful substances. Finally, referring to the functions of the kidneys, Nephrology Specialist Dr. Mustafa Eren said:
“The kidneys filter the blood in the body about 250 times a day, and during this time, they remove harmful substances. Among the functions of the kidneys; It includes removing harmful substances from the body by adding urine to the body, maintaining the levels of important electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and calcium, maintaining water balance, maintaining acid-base balance, making hormones necessary for blood pressure, and making hormones that work bone marrow for blood production.