Just like people around us , we doctors are also ordinary folks . We havent been christened to save the world from deadly diseases. When I visit my parents or friends , people around ask me what type of doctor am I. I tell them that Iam a Nephrologist. "What do nephrologists specialize in" is the usual following query. As soon as i tell them that we treat kidney related ailments , the next question is how do we prevent kidney diseases. So this article is about " how do we prevent kidney diseases?"
1. Keep yourself fit and healthy . Reduce your weight if you are overweight or obese . "Run, Boy, Run..." should be your motto when it comes to the goal of reducing your weight. Keep realistic goals . Have a target of 1-2 kg reduction over a period of month . Dont over do it. Dont try to reduce your weight by " over dieting". Try aerobic excercises like walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, cross trainers, treadmills, zumba dancing.
2. Watch your diet. Our dietary habits do matter. Period! No matter what u think. i dont know how or what our ancestors use to eat, they were much healthier !! Thats the reason our generation has managed to survive this long. I see lot of people from villages during our work and travel, they look so much healthier. Shun junk food. Limit the amount of salt from your diet . Stop eating pickles, fryons, chips, namkeens. Eat red meat in moderation . Fish and lean chicken meat is much safer . Plenty of fruits ( for normal people) help you in long term .
3. Drink water ! Keep yourself hydrated at all times. An average adult should have 2-3L of fluids in a day. Fluids constitute water, juices, tender coconut, butter milk . Just keep a water bottle by your side at your work place , at gym, in ur bag. People ho have had kidney stones any time in the past should have 3-4L /day . Target is you should produce atleast 2L of pee /day.
4. Get Youself checked!
5. Seek doctor's help as and when required . When you have symptoms like back ache, increased tiredness, swelling of feet, reduced/ increased urination, high BP, loss of appetite, nauseating feeling, you should seek medical attention immediately. Most of the patients come to doctor only when the kidneys lose upto 90% of function.
6. Avoid OTC ( over the counter) medications . Medicines are themselves toxic to kidneys. Ofcourse not all of them! So its important that we dont use medicines which are either self prescribed or bought OTC. Notorious among the drugs that cause kidney damage are pain killers (NSAIDs), antibiotics like Amikacin, Gentamicin, Amphoterecin and so on.