Watch out, these two diseases are "scheming" your kidneys

As an important part of the urinary system, the kidney is responsible for excretion of human metabolic waste and maintaining the stability of the internal environment of the body. However, the kidney also faces many threats from other diseases. According to experts from the Beijing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Chronic Disease Prevention and Treatment Institute, there are two common diseases that are quietly "scheming" our kidneys.

Each of our kidneys has about one million tiny filters called nephrons. If the nephrons are damaged, they will stop working. If this damage continues, causing more and more nephrons to shut down, when a certain threshold is exceeded, the remaining nephrons will not be able to filter blood well to maintain health.

This kind of gradual loss of kidney function after months or years is chronic kidney disease. If kidney function continues to deteriorate, kidney failure will occur. Untreated kidney failure can be life-threatening.

In the early stages of chronic kidney disease, there are often no symptoms. Even before any symptoms appear, a person may lose up to 90% of kidney function.

These two diseases often use the kidney as a target for "attack"

The most common causes of kidney disease-high blood pressure and diabetes.

It is estimated that more than a quarter of kidney failure is caused by high blood pressure. Diabetes is considered to be the cause of one-third of chronic kidney disease and is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease in most developed countries.

So, how do high blood pressure and diabetes affect the kidneys? According to experts from the Institute for Chronic Diseases, long-term hypertension and hyperglycemia can damage blood vessels, and blood vessels can be said to be the "passage of life" that transports oxygen and nutrients to various organs. When this passage has problems, it will affect the target The normal functioning of the organs.

People with high blood pressure and diabetes are more likely to develop atherosclerosis, and are prone to early onset and rapid disease progression. In atherosclerosis, the elasticity of blood vessels is weakened, and the lumen gradually narrows or even occludes completely. When this kind of disease invades the renal artery, it will cause renal arteriosclerosis.

Moreover, diabetes can also cause microvascular disease, leading to microcirculation disorders. Microangiopathy affects the kidneys and causes diabetic nephropathy, which is one of the common complications of diabetes.

In addition, hypertension, renal arteriosclerosis and diabetic nephropathy are important causes of chronic kidney disease and chronic renal failure. At the same time, although chronic renal failure progresses slowly, hypertension and hyperglycemia can exacerbate its gradual development.

In addition to the physical examination, it also protects the kidney

To protect the kidneys, we must first raise our awareness of chronic kidney disease. During physical examinations or other health examinations, the only way to understand the health of the kidneys is to receive a kidney function test. At the same time, experts reminded that a healthy lifestyle helps maintain good health, which is also beneficial to kidney health.

Three-pronged approach: diet, exercise, and weight. Choose healthy foods, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grain foods, low-fat or non-fat dairy products, etc., and reduce the intake of high-fat, high-salt, and high-sugar foods. If your physical condition allows, try to exercise for more than 30 minutes a day, and make regular exercise a part of your life. Healthy diet choices and regular physical activity also help balance energy intake and consumption, and help maintain a healthy weight.

Keep enough sleep, try to ensure 7-8 hours of sleep a day.

Not smoking, restricting alcohol consumption, and using any form of tobacco products are harmful to health. It is best not to drink alcohol, such as drinking alcohol in moderation.

Reducing stress and maintaining peace. The improvement of mood is also beneficial to physical health. Physical exercise can help reduce stress.