Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is like a "silent threat" that gradually destroys your health without you even realizing it, until it reaches a severe stage requiring dialysis. Losing kidney function can significantly impact your quality of life, affecting work, daily activities, and even relationships. Today, changing lifestyles and self-neglect have caused the average onset of kidney disease to shift more toward younger adults. If you are part of the new generation concerned about kidney health, Nephrologists (Kidney Specialists) will help you understand why young people are at higher risk and provide initial guidance on kidney care for a healthier, longer life.
The fast-paced life of working-age adults leads many to neglect their health, facing the silent threat of kidney disease that gradually erodes well-being. That daily favorite iced coffee or frequent fast food after work may be overworking your kidneys, causing them to deteriorate faster than expected. Did you know that chronic kidney disease is increasingly prevalent among working professionals? The primary cause is often unhealthy lifestyle habits.
The kidneys act like a body's filtration system. When the filter is damaged, waste accumulates, leading to various complications. These risk factors can be divided into 5 main categories:
Many mistakenly believe that only very salty food harms the kidneys. In reality, high sodium is hidden in many forms, including seasonings like ketchup, chili sauce, or processed foods like ham, bacon, and canned goods. Regular consumption forces the kidneys to work harder to flush out excess sodium from the body.
Daily lifestyle plays a crucial role in kidney health. A lack of regular exercise weakens the body and increases the risk of chronic conditions like obesity and hypertension, which directly impact kidney function. Additionally, dehydration is a major risk; kidneys need water to flush out waste. Insufficient water intake causes the kidneys to work harder and increases the risk of kidney stones.
Diseases such as diabetes and hypertension are primary risk factors for chronic kidney disease. High blood sugar and excessive blood pressure damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, hindering their ability to filter waste and eventually leading to kidney failure.
Genetic factors also play a significant role. Some individuals may have hereditary conditions present from birth, such as Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), where small cysts develop in the kidneys, causing abnormal function.
If you experience swelling (especially in the legs and feet), unusual fatigue, back pain, or abnormal urination (such as blood in urine or persistent foam), these may be signs of kidney dysfunction. You should consult a doctor for a kidney check-up immediately.
Caring for your kidneys is essential, as they are the body’s blood purifiers. Regular health screenings and lifestyle adjustments, such as diet control and exercise, will help maintain healthy kidneys. Do not ignore your body's warning signs, as early detection allows for more effective treatment.
Kidney disease is a silent threat. If left untreated, it can lead to numerous serious complications. Kidney failure is primarily divided into 2 types:
Acute Kidney Injury can be caused by infection, drug allergies, or severe dehydration. If treated promptly, kidney function may return to normal. However, if neglected, it can lead to severe complications such as hypertension, heart failure, metabolic acidosis, and may progress to chronic kidney failure.
Mild complications include hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, hypermagnesemia, or anemia due to the lack of erythropoietin hormone, which impairs red blood cell production.
Because the kidneys cannot excrete water, fluid overload occurs in the bloodstream, leading to hypertension and potentially heart failure.
Chronic Kidney Disease results from continuous kidney damage over a long period, commonly found in patients with diabetes, hypertension, and chronic nephritis. Common complications include anemia, osteoporosis, itching, and neurological issues.
Nephrologists recommend the following practices for everyone:
Kidney disease can be treated through several methods, categorized into 2 main approaches:
Image Credit: The Nephrology Society of Thailand (Pongsathorn Kochaseni, Renal Replacement Therapy)
Conventional Hemodialysis removes blood via a vascular access (arm or neck) into an artificial kidney to filter out waste and fluid.
Hemodiafiltration is an advanced dialysis technique more efficient than Conventional Hemodialysis, particularly in removing larger waste molecules.
Doctors emphasize regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight as key preventive measures against kidney disease. Additionally, avoiding unnecessary medications that impact kidney function is another way to lower your risk.
If we start caring and protecting today, it will help our kidneys function well and keep us healthy for years to come.
Pongsathorn Kochaseni. (n.d.). Current Renal Replacement Therapy. Retrieved October 2, 2024,
