Reasons for kidney dialysis and the culprit of kidney damage! Doctors name "Top Ten Habits That Harm the Kidneys": Drinking with hand-shaken drinks and instant noodles are on the list
Kidney function remaining at 50% and no symptoms? Kidney damage also damages “vital organs”
Approximately 90,000 people receive kidney dialysis (dialysis treatment) in Taiwan each year, and the number of new cases of dialysis has reached more than 12,000, ranking first in the world in both incidence and prevalence. The kidneys are responsible for various important physiological functions of the human body, including regulating blood pressure, regulating water content, producing and secreting hormones, excreting metabolic waste and toxins, and maintaining electrolyte and acid-base balance. The kidneys are also responsible for producing vitamin D to regulate calcium and phosphorus metabolism and help the body maintain bone density.
The kidneys are composed of nephrons and nephrons and are rich in capillaries. When blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids are not well controlled, glomerulosclerosis and nephron destruction will occur, leading to impaired renal function. Damage to the kidneys will also affect the heart, brain and other important organs. However, the kidneys have a strong reserve capacity. When the renal function is only 50%, except for several types of renal lesions, most of them lack obvious clinical symptoms. High-risk groups may easily ignore warning signs of kidney disease if they are not vigilant or have their kidney function checked regularly.
On the other hand, the increase in the elderly population and chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are also the reasons for the increase in kidney diseases. Improper medication habits and unidentified folk remedies are potential landmines that cause kidney damage.
Love drinking sugary drinks and eating instant noodles! Nephrologists review the “Top Ten Habits That Harm the Kidneys”
How to manage your health in daily life to avoid kidney injury or even chronic kidney disease? Dr. Chen Youcheng, director of the Nephrology Department of Hsintai General Hospital, pointed out that the most common “top ten kidney-damaging habits” among Taiwanese people include:
1. Long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics (NSAIDs)
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics (NSAIDs) can cause kidney failure, which is very common in clinical practice. People with poor kidney function must avoid using them to prevent rapid deterioration of kidney function. Even facing kidney dialysis. If people at risk of kidney function need to use painkillers, they can use Panacin instead. When receiving medicine, they should inform the doctor that they have kidney function problems and avoid prescribing painkillers that can easily damage the kidneys.
2. Poor blood sugar control
Nearly half of the kidney dialysis population in Taiwan is related to diabetes. High blood sugar will cause systemic lesions of large and small tubes, and has a direct impact on the kidneys, causing patients to face proteinuria and worsening kidney function. People with diabetes must steadily control and monitor blood sugar regularly, and take medication or insulin regularly according to the doctor’s instructions.
3. Poor blood pressure control
Hypertension is also one of the main culprits of kidney dialysis in Taiwan and causes systemic harm to the body, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, myocardial infarction and vision problems. Long-term high blood pressure will damage the renal blood vessels, especially long-term poorly controlled hypertension, which will increase the pressure in the renal glomerulus, affect the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and increase protein loss. Renal damage itself will also increase blood pressure. , the two will have interactive effects.
4. Excessive intake of processed foods
Canned foods, instant noodles, sausages, ham, hot dogs, chicken essence, sauerkraut, and kimchi. These processed foods contain high levels of phosphates and sodium ions, which are a heavy burden on the kidneys.
5. Food too salty
The direct impact of eating heavy flavors and eating too salty foods on the body is to increase blood pressure, which in turn can indirectly damage the kidneys. In addition, when the kidneys are damaged, they cannot eliminate excess sodium ions, which can easily cause edema, pulmonary hydration, high blood pressure, and increase the burden on the heart.
6. Love drinking sugary drinks
The younger generation of diabetes in Taiwan is closely related to the young people’s preference for drinking sugary drinks, and hand-shaken drink shops are even more popular. Proper blood sugar control can slow down the deterioration of kidney function. It is also recommended to replace sugary drinks with boiled water. If you really want to drink a drink, it is recommended to choose a low-fat, low-calorie, low-sugar or sugar-free drink, and do not overdo it.
7. Don’t like to drink water
Sufficient water is necessary for healthy adults to maintain renal metabolism. When the human body is dehydrated, insufficient renal perfusion may cause acute kidney injury. Drinking water can also reduce the occurrence of kidney stones and urinary tract infections. Especially in hot weather and strenuous exercise, remember to replenish water to avoid acute kidney damage. Taiwanese are also reminded not to replace boiled water with sugary drinks to avoid unnecessary intake Too much sugar.
8. Smoking
Smoking activates the sympathetic nerves, increases blood pressure, and damages vascular endothelial cells, causing blood vessel constriction, leading to renal microvascular sclerosis and glomerular necrosis. In addition, smoking increases the risk of proteinuria and worsening of kidney function. Heavy metals such as cadmium and lead contained in tobacco can also accumulate in the kidneys and cause damage.
9. Obesity
Obesity will increase blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar, increase the risk of metabolic syndrome, and indirectly affect normal kidney function.
10. Exposure to developer (radioactive examination)
Some radioactive examinations, such as computed tomography, use contrast agents, which may have little effect on people with normal kidney function. However, people with poor kidney function should try to avoid using them or discuss the test dosage and method with their doctors to avoid “diffusion” Contrast-Induced Nephropathy".
Dr. Chen Youcheng reminded that outpatients often have the misconception that kidney damage is caused, thinking that taking too much blood pressure and blood sugar medicine will lead to kidney dialysis. In fact, it is poor blood pressure and blood sugar control that is the culprit of kidney dialysis.
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