subject: Are You At Risk For Kidney Problems? [print this page] Kidney function is measures by conducting a renal panel, which will let the doctor, know if your levels are health.
Below is a general list of a few factors that may increase you risk of developing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), kidney failure or other renal problems.
Poor eating habits - When we think of the adverse health effects of eating junk food, or low nutritional value food, we often picture conditions like obesity and high cholesterol. Don't forget that everything we ingest gets filtered through the blood during digestion; therefore eating unhealthy foods adversely affects the kidney too.
Dehydration - Severe dehydration can cause trouble for normal kidney function and its healthy filtration process. Prolonged dehydration can lead to kidney stones and even kidney failure in extreme cases. It is important to replace the lost water in order to maintain optimum body functions.
Taking Medication - Some drugs can harm the kidneys, decreasing their potential to function. Discussing your concerns about the medication with a doctor is a great option for protecting your kidneys. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and any medications that contain iodine may affect the kidneys.
Diabetes - Diabetes is the number one cause of kidney disease. Fluctuating blood sugar levels, like those experienced by diabetics, can have a devastating effect on the kidneys. High blood sugar levels often result and the kidneys cannot do their job easily in this state.
Low or High Blood Pressure - Having either too high or too low blood pressure can cause problems for the kidneys. When your blood pressure is too low, it is difficult for the kidneys to filter the blood, cleaning it of toxins. When blood pressure is too high, the heart needs to work harder and may damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, causing less filtration to take place.
Frequent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) - When the healthy flow or urine is disrupted, the kidneys usually continue to work as hard as always. When the urine backs up however, pressure builds up as the waste cannot be excreted as regularly as needed.
Common symptoms of kidney problems include fatigue, headache, abnormal blood or urine tests, frequent urination, shortness of breath, fluid retention
