– Kidney failure is a disease of civilization, more common than diabetes – warns prof. Ryszard Gellert from the Department of Nephrology and Internal Diseases of the Medical Center of Postgraduate Education. And although 4,2 million people in Poland suffer from kidney disease, most of them are not aware of it.
Renal failure in Poland – statistics
We are afraid of cancer, heart disease, we take care of the liver and we worry when something pops up on the skin. What do we do for our kidneys? Unfortunately, it is one of the most neglected organs. No wonder that kidney disease is becoming an epidemic in Poland. During the “Polish Woman in Europe” conference, prof. Gellert warned that already 11 percent Poles have kidney disease. – Of the 48 patients seen with the GP a day, four have kidney failure. How many has it diagnosed? No one. This is the real problem. The patient who comes to the nephrologist is a patient who has been diagnosed with kidney disease by accident, explains the expert.
In Poland, at least 4,2 million people have kidney disease, 3 million have kidney failure
Prof. Gellert says bluntly: kidney failure is already a disease of civilization. – In addition, it is more common than diabetes, which affects 2,8 million Poles. It ranks second in terms of incidence, after hypertension, the doctor explains.
Symptoms of kidney failure
The data shows that 90 percent population of Poles with kidney disease is not diagnosed. Even doctors are having trouble with that. Why? Because kidney failure does not have any specific symptoms. Ailments that appear when the kidneys fail can easily be confused with other conditions. The disease slowly devastates the body.
The sick are weak, feel tired, sleepy, and have a worse appetite
When the kidneys are not working properly, toxins build up in the body and need to be removed by them. This results in worse and worse mood, weakness, and problems with concentration.
What else are the symptoms of kidney failure?
- Pain in the lumbar region,
- High blood pressure,
- Increased sugar levels,
- Frequent urination, also at night (nocturia)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swelling, especially of the arms and legs
- Itchy skin.
It can be said that kidney disease is tricky. – The kidneys do not hurt because they have no sensory nerves, so we do not feel that the disease is progressing – explains the doctor. Sometimes kidney failure develops for 20-30 without any symptoms. – People are treated for hypertension, diabetes, they go to the doctors because they feel bad and no one examines the kidneys. This is a tragedy – adds prof. Gellert.
And it would be enough to do two simple tests: a general urinalysis and a blood creatinine measurement. Thanks to this, you can quickly check whether the kidneys are working properly. If problems are found, patients are given treatment. As prof. Gellert, the therapy is simple and cheap, and it can change the quality of life and prevent serious complications.
- To improve the condition of the kidneys and support their proper functioning, use the Tincture Supporting the Proper Kidney Function Klimuszko.
Prevention of kidney failure
People who have high blood pressure or diabetes and those with a family history of high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney disease are at the greatest risk of kidney failure. It is estimated that every third person is at risk.
– Patients with renal failure die prematurely – says prof. Gellert. Why is this happening? The disease increases the risk of developing other dangerous conditions such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and sepsis.
However, the expert reassures that you can fight kidney failure. It is important to make changes in your current lifestyle, i.e. quit smoking, lose weight, move more often, control your blood pressure. “You also need to cut your protein intake in half, to 0,8 grams per kg of body weight per day,” the doctor says. – The easiest way to take care of your kidneys is to stick to the rule: what is good for the heart, good for the kidneys. By caring for the heart, we also take care of the kidneys. It is worth limiting alcohol consumption, i.e. drinking no more than two drinks a day – adds prof. Richard Gellert.
But the biggest change has to be made in how you think about kidney disease. If we do not start to detect them earlier, Poles will die and the country will incur huge costs. – Undetected kidney diseases cost almost PLN 6 billion a year in Poland – says the specialist. And all because patients visit nephrologists too late, when it is necessary to implement, for example, dialysis. Many of them are treated for many other diseases, and the real problem may be with the kidneys.
Do you want to support the functioning of the urinary system? You can reach for cranberries with probiotics and vitamin C, which you can find on Medonet Market at an attractive price. There is also large-fruited cranberry available that also supports the function of the kidneys and the urinary system. To positively affect the functioning of the kidneys, order Kidneys – a herbal mixture according to the recipe of Andreas Moritz, which includes, among others chicory, fennel and goldenrod.
Find out more about the kidneys:
- Kidney pain is often confused with back pain. What helps with this problem?
- Signs that may be kidney cancer
- GFR examination – the basis for the diagnosis of kidney diseases
For a long time you have not been able to find the cause of your ailments or are you still looking for it? Do you want to tell us your story or draw attention to a common health problem? Write to the address [email protected] #Together we can do more
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Source: Conference “Polish woman in Europe”