Kidney issues, what it means

Kidneys are amazing organs, and by nature's design, most humans get two units for extra efficiency and a backup failsafe. Like a set of server hard drives in a mirroring array, they work together and carry the workload when the other fails. However, if both are failing in the case of chronic kidney disease (CKD), it can lead to tremendous healthcare costs. Working professionals get busy and may forget their annual testing including kidney function besides cholesterol and sugar levels.

So how do we know our kidney functions are maintained? Unfortunately, chronic kidney failure is an insidious onset often without symptoms.

A healthy renal (kidney) diet includes

• Daily sodium limit (<3500mg, prefer <2300mg, <1500mg for high blood pressure)
• Daily protein intake limits (your weight in Kg x 0.8)
• Choose foods lower in fat ( ??plaque in artery = ??blood flow to kidneys)
• Low potassium foods
• Low phosphorus foods

Renal Diet Handout

Risk factors for developing CKD (chronic kidney disease)

• Metabolic syndrome (??blood pressure, ??sugar, ??cholesterol)
• Results of metabolic syndrome (diabetes, heart disease)
• Repeated AKI (acute kidney injury) due to stones, urinary infections
• Reduced blood flow to kidneys due to heart issues

Causes of CKD (UpToDate)

Although the early stages of CKD occur mostly without symptoms, late stages of CKD may present with swelling in the legs, or high blood pressure-related symptoms like headaches. If early CKD goes undiagnosed, the risk of needing dialysis increases. We recommend an annual physical and blood test to assess your renal function.

Results and their meaning

• Creatinine (Cr) = your kidney's ability clear muscle breakdown's byproduct relative to a controlled subject (1.0 mg/dL)

*Think of a value of 1.5 meaning your kidneys are working at 150% of the normal load

• eGFR = estimated glomerular filtration rate = estimates your kidney's ability to clear wastes using creatinine value (<60 ml/min for >90 days = CKD)
• Urine microalbumin = great testing to show early signs of kidney issues even BEFORE creatinine becomes abnormal (> 30 mg/g per day is abnormal)

CKD (UpToDate)

If these preventive health tips are helpful, follow this page.