Kidney problems are primarily caused by conditions that strain the kidneys, with diabetes and high blood pressure being the two main culprits, damaging the tiny filters and blood vessels over time.
Other causes include autoimmune diseases (like lupus), inherited disorders (like polycystic kidney disease), urinary tract
blockages (stones, enlarged prostate), infections, and prolonged use of certain medications (NSAIDs, lithium).
Common Causes & Risk Factors
1. Diabetes: High blood sugar damages the kidney's filtering units (glomeruli).
2. High Blood Pressure: Damages the blood vessels within the kidneys.
3. Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like Lupus and IgA Nephropathy directly attack kidney tissue.
4. Inherited Conditions: Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) causes cysts to form.
5. Urinary Tract Issues: Kidney stones, tumors, or an enlarged prostate can block urine flow.
6. Kidney Infections: Repeated or severe infections can lead to damage.
7. Medications: Long-term use of certain drugs, especially NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) and some other prescriptions.
Other Contributing Factors
Age: Risk increases with older age.
Obesity & Heart Disease: These conditions often go hand-in-hand with kidney disease.
Smoking: Worsens kidney damage.
Family History: A genetic predisposition.
Diet: High sodium, processed foods can contribute.
Kidney disease often shows no symptoms until significant damage has occurred, making regular checkups crucial if you have risk factors like diabetes or high blood pressure.
🤜How to make your kidneys healthy?
Lose weight if you have overweight or obesity.
If you smoke, quit as soon as possible.
Take all of your medicines as prescribed.
Stay in your target cholesterol range.
Eat foods lower in salt.
Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Limit how much alcohol you drink.
What foods should you avoid if you have kidney disease?
Canned foods, some frozen foods, and most processed meats contain large amounts of salt. Snack foods such as chips and crackers are also high in salt. Table salt, some seasonings, ketchup, mustard, and certain sauces such as barbecue, soy, and teriyaki sauces are high in sodium.
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