The number of kidney patients is increasing day by day. So much so that 850 million people around the world are thought to have kidney disease due to various factors. Approximately 7.5 million people in Turkey are struggling with chronic kidney disease. In other words, 6 out of every 7-1 adults in our country has kidney disease. Due to its insidious progression and lack of reversal, chronic kidney disease is increasing day by day among the causes of death. While at least 2.4 million people die annually from chronic kidney disease in the world, this number is predicted to double to 2030 million by 5.4.
In order to raise social awareness about kidney health, we try to raise awareness on the second Thursday of March, World Kidney Day, every year in the world and in our country. The slogan of 2022 was determined as "Kidney health for all". The reason for this is that kidney diseases have become a global health problem today. Making statements within the scope of "World Kidney Day", which coincides with March 10 this year, Acıbadem University Faculty of Medicine Head of Nephrology Department and Acıbadem International Hospital Kidney Transplant Center Nephrology Officer Prof. Dr. Ülkem Çakır stated that kidney failure can be prevented or delayed when kidney dysfunction is actually detected in the early period with regular urine and blood tests, adding, “However, since the routine screenings performed once a year are neglected, most adults continue their lives without knowing that they have chronic kidney disease and the disease is end-stage renal disease. It can progress to the stage.” says. Nephrology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ülkem Çakır reminded that living habits must be taken care of for kidney health and said, “Consuming enough water, limiting salt, keeping blood pressure and blood sugar under control, giving up smoking and alcohol habits, not using drugs indiscriminately, eating healthy and living an active life can prevent kidney diseases. are the most important measures that can be taken against it”. Nephrology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ülkem Çakır talked about the 8 reasons that tire the kidneys the most; made important warnings and recommendations.
Diabetes
Diabetes is described as one of the biggest enemies of the kidneys. Due to uncontrolled blood sugar, when the blood vessels that are responsible for filtering the wastes in the kidneys are damaged, the kidneys can become unable to function. The data of the Turkish Society of Nephrology Kidney Registration System reveal that diabetes is responsible for kidney failure in approximately 38 percent of patients who have just started dialysis in our country.
Hypertension
According to the data of the Turkish Society of Nephrology Kidney Registration System; Hypertension is the cause of kidney failure in 27 percent of patients receiving dialysis treatment in our country. Hypertension, which is seen in one out of every three adults in our country, causes structural disorder and obstruction in the vessels in the kidneys, and this picture results in kidney failure.
Obesity
Obesity is an important risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease. So much scientific research; It shows that the risk of developing chronic kidney failure in obesity patients increases at a very high rate of 83 percent. The reason for this is that with increasing weight, the burden on the kidneys also increases. In addition, obesity is indirectly effective by causing metabolic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, which have an effect on the formation of chronic kidney disease.
drinking insufficient water
Insufficient water consumption is one of the important factors that cause serious damage to the kidneys. Because when we do not drink enough water, the harmful substances filtered from the blood cannot be removed from our body, so our kidneys have to work harder and begin to wear out rapidly. Nephrology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ülkem Çakır reminded that we should have the habit of drinking enough water every day for the health of our kidneys and said, “Water that is drunk too much is harmful as well as water that is drunk less. Therefore, it will be sufficient for a woman of normal weight to drink 1.5-2 liters of water a day, and for a man 2-2.5 liters of water.”
Sprinkling salt on food
According to numerous scientific studies; Excessive consumption of salt can raise blood pressure and cause serious problems that can lead to kidney failure. World Health Organization; It recommends that daily salt consumption be less than 5 grams, which corresponds to a heaped teaspoon. Nephrology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ülkem Çakır, warning that you should not sprinkle salt on your meals for your kidney health, says, "Because this amount does not mean the salt we add to the food, but the total amount of salt we take with all foods, including processed products."
indiscriminate use of drugs
Although drugs play a leading role in the treatment of diseases, on the contrary, they can cause harm when consumed unconsciously. For this reason, experts warn at every opportunity that drugs should be used under the control of a physician. For example, some painkillers that are used frequently and indiscriminately and anti-inflammatory drugs used in rheumatic diseases can cause hypertension and kidney failure.
Cigarettes and alcohol
Smoking is an important risk factor that causes serious damage to the kidneys. This is because cigarettes contain heavy toxins that can lead to kidney failure. According to scientific studies; smoking habit accelerates kidney damage and the course of chronic kidney disease by at least 30 percent. Since alcohol contains chemicals that damage our kidneys, it naturally tires the kidneys when consumed too much.
wrong eating habits
- Another important point we should pay attention to for our kidney health is to give up our wrong eating habits!
- Limit red meat consumption, as animal proteins increase the load on the kidneys.
- Limit foods and beverages containing caffeine. The amount of caffeine we can consume daily is 200-300 mg, which means about 2 large cups of coffee.
- Sugary foods are also not recommended because they increase the risk of obesity, hypertension and diabetes.
- According to the studies; Consuming 2 or more glasses of carbonated beverages a day tires the kidneys because it increases the amount of protein in the urine.
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