How do you know when it's time to check your kidneys? Asked the doctor about the symptoms and examinations

According to WHO, more than 750 million people worldwide suffer from various kidney diseases. In Belarus in 2020, the number of such patients reached almost 80 thousand. Who are the main enemies for our kidneys, how to notice a malfunction in the work of this organ in time, and what foods cause the greatest harm? We learned the answers from experts. Diseases have declined Belarusian nephrology is a relatively young branch of medicine. it starts from the 70s of the last century. During this time, an extensive service has been created, operating at three levels of specialized care for patients with various kidney diseases - district, regional and republican. More than 750 million people worldwide suffer from various kidney diseases. In Belarus in 2020, the number of such patients reached almost 80 thousand. Who are the main enemies for our kidneys, how to notice a malfunction in the work of this organ in time, and what foods cause the greatest harm? We learned the answers from experts. Diseases have declined Belarusian nephrology is a relatively young branch of medicine. It starts from the 70s of the last century. During this time, an extensive service has been created, operating at three levels of specialized care for patients with various kidney diseases - district, regional and republican. More than 750 million people worldwide suffer from various kidney diseases. In Belarus in 2020, the number of such patients reached almost 80 thousand. Who are the main enemies for our kidneys, how to notice a malfunction in the work of this organ in time, and what foods cause the greatest harm? We learned the answers from experts. Diseases have declined Belarusian nephrology is a relatively young branch of medicine. It starts from the 70s of the last century. During this time, an extensive service has been created, operating at three levels of specialized care for patients with various kidney diseases - district, regional and republican. how to notice a malfunction in the work of this organ in time and what products cause the greatest harm? We learned the answers from experts. Diseases have declined Belarusian nephrology is a relatively young branch of medicine. It starts from the 70s of the last century. During this time, an extensive service has been created, operating at three levels of specialized care for patients with various kidney diseases - district, regional and republican. how to notice a malfunction in the work of this organ in time and what products cause the greatest harm? We learned the answers from experts. Diseases have declined Belarusian nephrology is a relatively young branch of medicine. It starts from the 70s of the last century. During this time, an extensive service has been created, operating at three levels of specialized care for patients with various kidney diseases - district, regional and republican.
“Modern methods are used in the diagnosis and treatment of nephrological pathology, which has made Belarus one of the countries with a good level of development of this service,” said Valery Pilotovich, DOCTOR of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Urology and Nephrology of BelMAPO. – 184 certified nephrologists work in polyclinics and hospitals. Specialists undergo internships, including in reputable foreign clinics around the world. They have scientific degrees and international awards, are high-class specialists recognized in the world nephrological community.
According to Professor Pilotovich, the number of patients with kidney pathology in Belarus, albeit slightly, is decreasing. However, there are several types of it that doctors have come across more often.
- This is, first of all, severe acute renal failure. With it, to save a life, the use of "artificial kidney" devices is required. In 2021, there were 1,605 such patients, which is 7.7% higher compared to the previous year. The number of patients with end-stage chronic renal failure who live long-term on dialysis decreased by 1.8% to 3024.
In terms of age, primary glomerular diseases are more common in people under 40 years of age. The oldest nephrological patients are aged 55 years and older, suffering from such common systemic diseases as type II diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension.
– The kidneys have become one of the specific targets for covid-19, since receptors for it are located in large numbers on the cells of the renal tubules. The lack of oxygen in the blood leads to impaired renal function in the form of the development of acute renal failure or acute post-covid nephropathy.
This dangerous syndrome occurs mainly in patients with a severe form of CORONAVIRUS infection who have not been vaccinated in a timely manner. In the case of a mild course of the disease, any changes in the kidneys are rarely diagnosed, moreover, they pass quickly. Your own enemy According to the HEAD of the nephrology department of the Mogilev Hospital No. 1, Vladimir Shakhlevich, if previously most kidney pathologies were the consequences of infectious diseases (tonsillitis, bronchitis, SARS), now the picture has changed somewhat.
– More and more patients with drug-induced kidney damage as a result of improper treatment of various diseases prevail. This is a consequence of uncontrolled intake of antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic drugs, antibiotics. Today medicines are available, many are sold without prescriptions. And people often overdo it with self-medication.

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Lifestyle, in fact, as well as nutrition, plays a significant role in the development of any disease. At the same time, Vladimir Shakhlevich notes that food does not greatly affect the appearance of a particular renal pathology. But if a person abuses ALCOHOL, smokes a lot, works in conditions of constant hypothermia or serious physical exertion, then the risk of its development is very high.
- In the Soviet Union, diet therapy was almost the main point in the treatment of kidney diseases. In acute or chronic pyelonephritis, urinary tract infections, it is necessary to drastically limit (up to complete exclusion) spicy and salty foods, spices and smoked meats.
With gout and urolithiasis - the strictest diet that excludes protein-containing foods. In the case of an inflammatory process, if blood pressure is not elevated, it is not recommended to limit fluid intake. Doctors advise drinking no more than 3 liters per day. When it's time to sound the alarm By the way, a person can notice problems with the kidneys by some external signs even without medical research. The first thing you should pay attention to is pain in the lumbar region. They can be of a different nature: from slight discomfort to strong and painful.
- The second is swelling of the face. In the morning we woke up and did not recognize ourselves in the mirror - you need to sound the alarm and consult a doctor. Another symptom is frequent, painful urination. It is important to pay attention to pressure, especially diastolic (lower). If it is high, for example, 130/100, it will not be superfluous to check the kidneys.
Where to start? From a minimum set of examinations, including a biochemical and general blood test, as well as urine, ultrasound of the abdominal organs. Including women need to conduct an ultrasound diagnosis of the bladder, and men - the pelvic organs.
- If the slightest suspicion of renal pathology is revealed, the district doctor must necessarily refer to a narrow-profile specialist - a nephrologist, - concludes Vladimir Shakhlevich.
Clinics work:
17 outpatient nephrology rooms; 16 nephrology departments of inpatient care; 55 hemodialysis departments; 6 kidney transplant centers.
The main function of the kidneys is excretory. They continuously remove excess fluid and harmful metabolic products from the body, which are the result of normal life. The kidneys are a natural filter; every minute they purify about 1.6 liters of blood. Therefore, it is necessary to make every effort to keep this organ healthy.
World Kidney Day has been observed on the second Thursday of March since 2006.

| Marina VALAKH. | Photo from open Internet sources.

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