- How to identify kidney malfunction
- Treatment for acute renal failure
- How to prevent the development of acute renal failure
Drinking less than 1.5 L of water per day can impair the functioning of the kidneys, and lead to acute or chronic kidney failure, for example, as a lack of water reduces the amount of blood in the body and therefore interferes with amount of oxygen that the kidney receives, causing damage to its cells and decreased function. Learn more about kidney failure.
In addition, drinking little water increases the chances of developing kidney stones and increases the risk of developing urinary tract infections because toxins, such as urea, are concentrated in the body and bacteria can develop easily. Find out why you should drink water every day.
Acute kidney failure, which is the rapid loss of the kidneys' ability to filter blood, can be cured in less than 3 months if it is identified quickly and the treatment recommended by the nephrologist started next. See what are the symptoms of acute kidney failure.
How to identify kidney malfunction
Some symptoms that may indicate the development of acute kidney failure include:
- Little amount of urine, which can be very dark and with a strong smell; Swelling of the body, especially eyes, legs and feet, due to fluid retention; Dry and dull skin; Hand tremors; Easy tiredness and drowsiness; High blood pressure; Nausea and vomiting; Persistent hiccups; Lack of sensitivity in the hands and feet; Blood in the urine; Aggressiveness and seizures.
The diagnosis is made by the nephrologist based on the results of blood and urine tests, which indicate an increase in the concentration of urea, creatinine and potassium. In addition, the doctor may recommend performing imaging tests, such as MRI, ultrasound or CT scan to assess the condition of the kidneys.
Treatment for acute renal failure
Treatment for acute renal failure should be guided by a doctor and nutritionist and includes:
- Use of drugs to lower blood pressure and reduce swelling in the body such as Lisinopril and Furosemide, for example; Eat a diet low in protein, salt and potassium to avoid aggravating kidney malfunction; Drink the amount of water indicated by the doctor or take serum through the vein.
In some cases, acute kidney failure can become chronic, requiring hemodialysis about 3 times a week in the hospital to filter the blood. Depending on the severity of kidney failure, kidney transplantation may also be indicated. Also learn about treatment for chronic kidney failure.
How to prevent the development of acute renal failure
In order to prevent the kidneys from starting to lose their function it is essential to drink plenty of fluids and only take the medications as directed by the doctor, because many medications require an exaggerated functioning of the kidneys, since they must be eliminated through the urine.
In addition, a low-salt, low-fat diet should be maintained, with physical exercise at least 3 times a week, in addition to avoiding smoking and alcohol. See how the diet for kidney failure is made.
To learn how to increase water consumption daily, watch the video:
