The kidneys are organs that filter waste and excess water from the blood, control the balance of minerals, and help regulate blood pressure. When the kidneys gradually deteriorate over a period of more than 3 months, this is called "chronic kidney disease," which, if left unmanaged, can progress to kidney failure and ultimately require dialysis.
Understanding the disease and its causes
The most common causes of chronic kidney disease among Thai people are poorly controlled "diabetes" and "high blood pressure." Chronically high blood sugar and blood pressure gradually damage the tiny filtering units in the kidneys until they deteriorate bit by bit. There are also other causes and risky behaviours that accelerate kidney deterioration.
- Poorly controlled diabetes and high blood pressure — among the leading causes
- Inappropriate use of medicines or herbal remedies — such as regularly taking NSAID painkillers, mixed medicine packs, or herbal remedies of unknown composition
- Eating very salty food — which raises blood pressure and makes the kidneys work harder
- Kidney stones, recurrent urinary tract infections, and hereditary kidney disease
Symptoms to watch for
What makes chronic kidney disease so frightening is that "the early stages usually have no symptoms." Many patients are found incidentally through blood and urine tests during an annual health check. As the disease progresses to a later stage, clearer symptoms begin to appear.
- Swelling of the body, especially the legs, feet, or around the eyes in the morning
- Fatigue, tiring easily, pallor, and loss of appetite
- Abnormal urination — foamy urine, frequent night-time urination, or a reduced volume
- Itching of the body, and blood pressure that becomes harder to control
Because the symptoms tend to come late, regular blood and urine testing is very important, especially for those with diabetes or high blood pressure.
Complications
As the kidneys deteriorate further, waste and water build up in the body, leading to several complications, such as anaemia from the kidneys producing less of the hormone that stimulates blood cell production, thin and brittle bones, mineral imbalances (especially high potassium, which is dangerous for the heart), high blood pressure that is hard to control, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. If it reaches the end stage of chronic kidney failure, patients must be treated with dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Symptoms that warrant prompt medical care
If you have these symptoms, especially if you already have diabetes or high blood pressure, you should see a doctor promptly for an assessment of your kidney function.
- Markedly increased swelling, in the legs, feet, face, or whole body
- A greatly reduced urine output, or urine containing blood
- Breathlessness, difficulty breathing, or being unable to lie flat
- Nausea, vomiting, a marked loss of appetite, or drowsiness
Slowing kidney deterioration and self-care
Although lost kidney tissue does not recover, we can greatly "slow" the deterioration of the kidneys if we look after ourselves correctly and consistently.
- Control your underlying conditions — keep your blood sugar and blood pressure within the ranges recommended by your doctor, and take your medication consistently
- Reduce salt — cut down on strongly flavoured foods, processed foods, fish sauce, soy sauce, and pickled foods
- Avoid medicines that harm the kidneys — do not buy and take NSAID painkillers, mixed medicine packs, or herbal remedies of unknown composition on your own; consult a doctor or pharmacist every time
- Drink an appropriate amount of water, control your weight, quit smoking, and exercise in moderation
- Have your kidneys tested regularly — blood and urine tests as recommended by your doctor
Get your kidney health checked at Doctor Chat Clinic
Our clinic is run by a doctor and offers health checks, blood tests for kidney function, blood sugar and lipid levels, electrocardiograms (EKG), and ultrasound, helping to detect kidney abnormalities from an early stage before symptoms appear, along with advice on managing your underlying conditions.