Nephrosis and nephritis are two of the leading causes of death. To avoid them you must pay attention to your kidneys, and here we tell you how to do it.
You may have heard that the kidneys are the body’s batteries. It is an unscientific explanation, but he is right about the importance of these two structures as fist-sized beans. Obviously, no energy comes out of them, but they are just as important as batteries for any object that needs them. In the case of your body, they are responsible for cleaning the wastes that result from metabolism, specifically salts, toxins and water. In order to perform this task they have to filter the blood 60 times a day to eliminate potentially harmful substances.
We would rather not explain what would happen if your kidneys stopped working, but for your sake and theirs we have to do it: your blood would be filled with toxins and wastes that would be transported through your blood and would reach all your organs.
On the other hand, your kidneys, together with the urinary system, are responsible for controlling and maintaining the balance of water in the body, ensuring that the tissues receive the amount of fluid necessary for proper functioning. You would not live long without your kidneys, and the little you would do would have a very poor quality of life, in which pain and discomfort would be your inseparable companions until you reach total collapse. You do not believe me? Take a tour of the dialysis department of any hospital.
But beyond its basic functions, the kidneys have others that are vital to your whole body and that are not always mentioned until you have a kidney problem. On the one hand, they are responsible for the balance between acids and bases of the body; on the other, they produce hormones that regulate blood pressure and the amount of red blood cells in the blood (which are responsible for carrying oxygen to the body).
There are many problems that can affect the kidneys if you do not take care of them properly, but there are two specifically that lead the list of fatalities from kidney disease among men: nephrosis and nephritis. Both are among the 10 leading causes of death among men in Mexico, according to data reported by the National Health Program 2007-2012. Reason for more to know how to prevent them.
ALARM: KIDNEYS DO NOT FILTER!
When you hear that this is happening, it is a nephrosis or nephrotic syndrome. This refers to a group of symptoms that warn you that there are problems in renal functioning, characterized by a high content of protein in the urine (the kidneys should only filter small particles, and those of the protein are too large to be there) , low levels of protein in the blood, and high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.
This is the cause
Nephrosis is caused by various disorders that produce a kidney injury, particularly in the basement membrane of the glomerulus (the part of the kidney where the function of filtration of substances that transports the blood), which causes abnormal levels of protein in the urine. It can also occur as a result of infections, such as hepatitis, mononucleosis or tonsillitis caused by streptococci; Drug use, some diseases, such as diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple myeloma and amyloidosis can also end in a nephrotic syndrome. Another cause is genetic and immune disorders or, well, it can occur along with other kidney-type.
The symptoms
Swelling It is the most common symptom of nephrotic syndrome. The places where it occurs is in the face (especially around the eyes), in the arms and legs (mainly in the feet and ankles) and in the abdomen.
Foam When foam comes out in your beer it is a symbol that you will have a great time, but when it comes out in your urine it is a sign that you have to go to the doctor as soon as possible because something is not right with your kidneys.
Weight gain It doesn’t matter if you exercise and that you have a balanced diet. Without apparent explanation, you start to gain weight and you notice it in your body. This is because you find yourself retaining fluids due to kidney malfunction. Usually, there is a lack of appetite when you suffer from nephrotic syndrome, another reason for your weight gain to be abnormal.
This may end up Depending on the diagnosis of the doctor, those who suffer from nephrosis may need dialysis or even a kidney transplant. It can also lead to other complications, such as renal vein thrombosis, malnutrition, chronic or acute kidney disease, among others, in more complicated cases.
ALARM: KIDNEYS INFLAMMATE!
If you thought that the nephrosis was severe, you have not heard anything from the nephritis, which is the inflammation of the kidney. There are several types of nephritis; However, the most common is the interstitial, which is where the spaces between the renal tubules become inflamed, causing discomfort and, in severe cases, a malfunction of the kidneys. Nephritis can be temporary (acute) or chronic. In most cases it is something temporary and, therefore, does not usually cause kidney damage or insufficiency, unless it is not treated on time.
This is the cause The most common origin of acute interstitial nephritis is the side effects of some medications, especially very specific antibiotics, such as penicillin, but it is not the only factor. Prolonged use of medicines, such as acetaminophen, acetylsalicylic acid (both usually used for headaches) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also join the causes. Low levels of potassium in the blood, as well as high levels of uric acid and calcium in it, are usually indications that you may have a door nephritis. And finally, some disease disorders, such as Sjögren’s syndrome or systemic lupus erythematosus, can also end up inflaming some of the kidneys.
The symptoms
Foamy urine with another color A sign that the kidney may be injured is that there is blood in the urine. It usually turns reddish, but it can also look much darker. On the other hand, as with nephrosis, there may be foam in the urine.
General discomfort In addition to constant headaches, nausea and vomiting often appear when there is renal inflammation.
Pain in the lower back When suffering inflammation, the area of the kidneys hurts and, sometimes, it is a pain that goes from the back to the frontal region of the body.
Acute renal failure According to data from the National Library of Medicine in the United States, in half of the cases people have decreased urinary expenditure, a sign that the kidney is not doing its job well for some reason.
Swelling Unlike nephrosis, it can occur here in any area of the body. There is also an involuntary weight gain due to fluid retention.
Changes in mental state In other words, there is sudden drowsiness and there is constant confusion.
THE SOLUTIONS
Both nephrosis and nephritis are preventable. Here are five extremely easy tips to follow so your kidneys don’t stop working.
Finish junk food We don’t mean you eat it all; on the contrary, avoid it as it gives rise. The reason? Phosphorus compounds that have many cupcakes raise the risk of developing kidney disease, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology . You just have to check the list of ingredients in the packing bag. If there are names like disodium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, aluminum or sodium, common ingredients in creamy stuffed pastries, avoid it.
Stick to fat, but to good A diet high in fish can help you keep your kidneys healthy, according to a study in Australia. The high levels of alpha-linolenic acid, contained in vegetable oils, were associated with the increased chances of having chronic kidney disease (CKD), while the high levels of Omega-3 and Omega-6, included in fish , were not associated with CKD.
There is no greater science here Eat fish every time you can or look for an Omega-3 fatty acid supplement. According to research, men who included in their diets this type of fatty acids lowered their chances of developing an ERC by 32 percent.
Flee from the refined Hypertension, diabetes and obesity are risk factors for CKD. According to an Australian study that collected information on carbohydrate intake among men 50 years of age or older, they found that those with the highest glycemic index (GI) were 55 percent more likely to develop a moderate CKD, but those who ate more Cereal with fiber were 50 percent less likely to have an CKD. After analyzing both groups, it was concluded that the higher the intake of carbohydrates rich in refined sugar, such as in sodas, biscuits or cakes, the risk of developing CKD increased.
Eat more fiber It helps lower blood sugar levels after each meal and decreases the chances of diabetes and hypertension, two factors that affect the functioning of your kidneys.