Kidney Disease Myth’s & Facts – National Kidney Month
Kidney disease means your kidneys are damaged and can’t filter the blood the way they should. We are all born with 2 kidneys. They are on either side of the spine. Firstly, when kidneys damage waste products and fluid build-up in our body. Therefore, it causes swelling in your ankles, shortness of breath, and weakness. Additionally, without treatment, the damage can get worse.
What do kidneys do:
Healthy Kidneys
- Make an active form of Vitamin D required for bone health.
- Keeps a balance of water and minerals in your body.
- Remove waste from your blood after digestion and also exposure to chemicals or medication.
- Make renin, which helps the body to manage blood pressure
- Make erythropoietin, which prompts your body to make red blood cells.
There are many misconceptions about kidney disease passed around through word of mouth or the internet. Therefore, here we are to talk about the Myths and also facts of this disease.
Myth 1: Kidney Disease in incurable
Fact: It can be cured with early diagnosis and early treatment. However, the progression of the disease will slow down if diagnosis and treatment start early. Hence, most kidney-related diseases are curable with timely treatment.
Myth 2: It is a rare condition
Fact: Surprisingly, it is a common disease these days. But, what puts it at risk is having diabetes, high blood pressure, being over 60 years, and a family history of kidney failure.
Myth 3: Kidney stones cause the disease
Fact: Kidney stones are not the factor of this disease. Also, cases of kidney stones resulting in damage to kidneys are very rare. However, the possibility of the disease is high if a person fails to adapt to a healthy lifestyle to prevent kidney stones.
Myth 4: You will know it if you have the disease
Fact: Unfortunately, most people who have this disease will not have any symptoms in the early stage. However, symptoms of this disease will only appear in the advanced stage. Hence, the only way to find out is to get your regular health checks for timely diagnosis.
Myth 5: Kidney Disease patients should drink lots of water
It is important to drink enough water. But, drinking too much water causes edema, or swelling, as well as high blood pressure and breathing problems due to the kidneys’ impaired capabilities. Also, it is always better to talk to your doctor to know about the correct, healthy amount of fluid intake for their case.
Possible Symptoms of Kidney Disease:
Sometimes the symptoms of this disease reveal very slowly or may not show at all till it is advanced.
- One might have
- Shortness of breath
- Sleep Issues
- High Blood pressure
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Swelling in feet and ankles
To conclude, the main tests for this disease are blood tests which measure the level of such as creatinine and urea, in your blood.
A urine test is to check the levels of substances called albumin and creatinine in your urine.
Imaging tests like an ultrasound scan, MRI scan, or CT scan – to see what the kidneys look like and check whether there are any blockages
Your doctor might recommend a kidney biopsy, which involves removing a sample of kidney tissue. The cells are examined under a microscope for signs of damage.
Lastly, to avoid, any kind of disease it is recommended to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Also, prioritize regular health check-ups.
For more information, please contact
Umed Diagnostics, Miyapur X Road, Hyderabad, Telangana 500004
Phone: 040-48576398
Email: customer.care@umeddiagnostics.in