Your kidneys are an important part of your body, and though their role of removing waste may sound simple, it is far from it. Kidneys play an important role in your health, without them your body is unable to function optimally. Kidney disease is a leading cause of death, and in the US, it is estimated that 37 million adults experience kidney disease, with the majority of these individuals unaware that they have it.

At Vascular Care Specialists of Los Angeles, Dr. Mathew Cheung and Dr. Peter Lin discuss some basic health information about kidneys and kidney disease. They also share symptoms and stages related to kidney disease as well as steps you can take to manage this disease.

Kidneys are the size of your fist, the shape of a bean, and found within your abdomen at the back by your ribcage, one on each side.

Your kidneys act as a filter for your body. The kidneys filter your blood, removing waste products and keeping the nutrients within your body. The waste products are then moved down into your bladder and removed from your body through the urine. It is estimated that your body filters around 200L of blood every 24 hours. Whilst filtering is one of the main roles of the kidneys, the kidney has additional roles in the body, mainly:

• Maintaining blood pressure
• Helping to activate vitamin D
• Controlling the production of red blood cells
• Regulating the balance of electrolytes and water in the body

When your kidneys are not able to function efficiently, they cannot effectively filter waste products and carry out their additional roles. This can cause health conditions to arise.

Kidney disease is classified according to the severity of the damage to the kidneys. There are five stages of kidney disease and with each, the damage to the kidney and symptoms are slightly different.

• Stage 1 – The first stage is mild damage to the kidney. The kidneys are working well; however, the damage can be seen in urine tests. In this stage, there are generally no symptoms.
• Stage 2 – The damage to the kidneys in this stage is mild but more significant than in stage 1. Like stage 1, there are generally no symptoms; however, damage can be seen through a urine test or ultrasound.
• Stage 3 – There are two subcategories in stage 3: a and b. Stage 3a is mild to moderate damage, and stage 3b is moderate to severe damage.  A blood test looking at how well your kidneys can filter waste will determine which category you are in. In this stage, waste products can start to accumulate in your body and symptoms can start to occur. Some symptoms are swelling of the feet and hands, weakness and tiredness, high blood pressure, and bone disease.
• Stage 4 – The damage to the kidneys is severe in this stage, and kidney functioning is minimal. Symptoms are the same as in stage 3. However, back pain, especially lower back pain, can start to occur.
• Stage 5 – This is the last stage of kidney disease. Kidney function is minimal or stopped. Individuals with this stage are usually in dialysis. This is when a machine mechanically filters out your waste. Dialysis is needed for these individuals for their bodies to function and to prevent illnesses that can arise due to an excess of waste products. These individuals are also candidates for kidney transplants.

Kidney disease is confirmed by a doctor or specialist with a blood test. The blood tests that are commonly done to confirm kidney disease are:

• eGFR – this measures the flow of filtration in your kidneys.
• Creatine and urea – these are waste products that your body produces. A blood test can measure the amount of these waste products in your blood. If it is high, it could indicate damage to the kidneys.
• Urine test – this determines whether or not there are proteins in your urine. Protein in your urine is a sign that there may be damage to the kidneys.
• Ultrasound – this looks at the kidney and can determine if there is any physical damage.

Along with blood tests, the doctor or specialist will check your blood pressure and check to see if you have any symptoms of kidney disease.

Factors that can put you at risk for experiencing kidney disease are:

• •Diabetes 
• High blood pressure 
• •Heart disease 
• Obesity 
• Family history of kidney disease 

If you have one or more of these risk factors, it is important to get regular checkups with your healthcare provider to check your kidney function.

In the early stages of kidney disease, there may be mild or no symptoms at all. This is why many individuals are unaware they are experiencing kidney disease. Early detection is key, as it can prevent further damage. Visit your healthcare provider for a checkup if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Feel the need to urinate more, especially at night
• Changes in energy levels
• Swollen feet and hands
• Chest pain
• Muscle cramping at night
• Change in sleep patterns with difficulty falling asleep
• Changes in appetite

Kidney disease can be challenging. However, lifestyle changes along with medical support can help to prevent further damage to the kidneys.

1. Stop Smoking

Smoking has many health consequences, and one of them is damage to your kidneys. Smoking can cause damage to your heart and blood vessels. This damage restricts the flow of blood to the kidneys and can cause further damage to your kidneys. It can also affect your blood pressure, which may already be under stress due to kidney disease. Stopping smoking can help to prevent further damage to your kidneys as well as prevent further fluctuations in blood pressure. It can also help give you extra energy, which is something that can be reduced during kidney disease.

2. Exercise

Exercise has multiple benefits to the body, especially for kidney disease. Exercising can help assist to regulate your blood pressure and maintain a healthy weight. It helps to promote muscle growth, which helps to increase the rate at which you burn energy. This in turn helps to burn more fat and can assist with weight management.

Another benefit of exercise is its benefits for mental health. During exercise, your body releases natural feel-good hormones that can help to assist in relieving depression and anxiety. Kidney disease can increase feelings of depression and anxiety, and managing these feelings is important. Exercise provides a healthy way to help you manage your mental health.

However, it’s important to be mindful of the type of exercise you choose. Avoid contact sports, and if you do lift weights, focus on the lighter weights. This reduces the risk of putting strain on your kidneys and reduces the chance of your kidneys becoming physically injured.

It is also important to be mindful of the temperature. Higher temperatures will affect your fluid levels, which may already be impaired. To support your body, avoid exercises that require warm temperatures such as hot yoga. If you do exercise outside, be mindful of the temperature outside, and focus on indoor activities if the temperature outside is high.

3. Maintain A Healthy Weight

Another important aspect of managing kidney disease is your weight. When your weight is higher than what it should be, it can put extra strain on your kidneys due to your kidneys needing to filter out more waste. This increases the chances of further damage to the kidney. Eating a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep, and exercising can help with weight loss.

4. Manage Any Health Conditions

If you are currently experiencing additional medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, it is important to manage these conditions, especially when you have kidney disease.

If diabetes and high blood pressure are not managed, it can cause your sugar levels and blood pressure to become higher than the normal range. High sugar levels can damage the cells of the kidney. Meanwhile, high blood pressure can cause your blood vessels to become narrow, which reduces blood flow to the kidneys. Both of these increase the chance of your kidneys becoming damaged further.

5. Fuel Your Body With Nutrition

Nutrition plays an important part in supporting your kidneys and managing kidney disease. To help control your blood pressure and sugar levels, total salt and sugar intake may need to be reduced. It is also important to focus on a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, fiber, and whole grains. For some individuals, certain foods may need to be restricted. However, this is determined by your healthcare provider after blood tests.

6. Stay Hydrated

Keeping hydrated is another important aspect of nutrition. In some individuals with kidney disease, fluid may have to be restricted. However, this will be communicated by your healthcare professional. But whilst there may be a fluid restriction, water still plays an important role. Keeping adequately hydrated can help to prevent further damage to the kidneys and helps to release a hormone that reduces the risk of kidney cysts occurring.

7. Get Support

Kidney disease is a chronic medical condition that is taxing on both the body and mind. Getting sufficient support includes medical and emotional support. This can help you manage kidney disease effectively and can help prevent it from progressing to the next stage. It can also help to manage your mental health, pain, and reduce depression and anxiety.

At Vascular Care Specialists of Los Angeles, we strive to provide the best service, care, and results possible. If you have end-stage renal disease with dialysis access related problems, give us a call at 626-275-9566 to schedule an appointment. You can also visit us at www.vcsla.com for more