Kidneys, improving kidney function

The kidneys have an important filter function in the body. Kidney function can be reduced due to several causes. If the tissue in the kidneys is damaged for a long time, recovery is no longer possible. When kidney damage occurs, it is therefore important to identify the cause and treat it, if possible. You can also take measures yourself, for example by adjusting diet and lifestyle.

• Kidneys, operation and function
• Decreased kidney function
• Measure kidney function (GFR).
• Complaints due to reduced kidney function
• Improve kidney function
• Adjust lifestyle
• Vitamin D and less salt
• Sodium bicarbonate

Kidneys, operation and function

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Functioning of the kidneys
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs weighing approximately 150 grams, which are located at the back of the body. The kidneys are located at the level of the lower ribs, against the spinal column. The kidneys are part of the urinary system, which consists of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. The kidneys filter the blood, transporting fluid and waste products to the bladder in the form of urine. When the bladder is filled, a stimulus is sent to the brain to urinate.

Nephrons

The filtering of the blood takes place in the interior of the kidneys, in the so-called nephrons. Each kidney contains more than a million nephrons. These nephrons are surrounded by capillaries that push some of the blood through the cell wall. Only very small particles can pass through these cell walls. The red blood cells and larger proteins cannot reach the kidneys.

Function of the kidneys

The kidneys have many important functions to keep the body in balance and in good condition. The function of the kidneys:

• The blood is cleaned of waste products, fluid, salt, potassium, ammonium, residues of medicines, etc.
• The vitamin D present in the blood is activated (in connection with the liver), allowing bone building to take place.
• The acidity of the blood is regulated, this is important for the body cells.
• Hormones produced, such as the EPO hormone. EPO ensures sufficient red blood cells, allowing oxygen to be transported to the cells.
• The kidneys are part of the system that regulates blood pressure. If blood pressure is too high for a long time, kidney damage can occur because the pressure in the kidneys rises too high

Decreased kidney function

Kidney function can decrease due to an acute cause, for example due to a kidney stone, major bleeding elsewhere in the body or due to inflammation of the kidney. If kidney function is reduced for a long time, permanent damage can occur, which is referred to as chronic kidney damage or chronic renal insufficiency. Once damaged, kidney tissue cannot heal. It is therefore very important to treat the cause of loss of kidney function and preserve kidney function as much as possible.

Chronic kidney damage can occur due to a large number of causes, the most common causes are:

• Diabetes Mellitus (diabetes)
• High blood pressure/hypertension

However, there are dozens of other causes for chronic kidney damage, such as:

• Hereditary kidney disorders
• Heart failure
• Arteriosclerosis
• Chronic renal pelvic inflammatory disease
• Kidney stones
• Cyst kidneys
• Renal infarction

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Measure kidney function (GFR).

The ability to filter the blood is measured by performing blood tests. If the kidneys function impaired, this is referred to as renal insufficiency . The amount of waste products in the blood is measured and expressed as a number. The test measures the amount of creatinine (or creatinine), a waste product released from the muscles. The more creatinine in the blood, the worse the filter function of the kidneys. The creatinine content is calculated using a formula and then expressed as a GFR value. This formula is used because the amount of creatinine is linked to a number of other factors, such as age, gender and weight. The GFR number indicates which stage of kidney damage applies.

Complaints due to reduced kidney function

If the kidney damage is minor, few complaints will occur. Kidney damage is an insidious process in which complaints often only occur when the damage is significant. However, sometimes complaints appear earlier, but at that time they were not yet associated with the existing kidney damage. In general, clear complaints only occur when the kidneys are only functioning at 20 to 30 percent. Minor kidney damage is often noticed incidentally, for example during a medical examination or during the annual blood test for high blood pressure.

With moderately reduced kidney function (where the GFR is between 30 and 59), additional complaints may occur. These complaints are often not directly linked to reduced kidney function. These may be complaints that may also have another cause. Possible complaints are:

• Fatigue
• Pale skin
• Itch
• Fluid retention (edema) or dehydration
• Headache
• Lose weight
• Damage to nerves, (nocturnal) cramps
• Pain in the back and loins when kidney tissue expands

Symptoms usually occur with a severe reduction in kidney function (GFR 15-29), but this does not apply to everyone. Fatigue and itching are regularly reported as complaints. With a GFR lower than 15, complaints such as fatigue, nausea, itching and other complaints occur.

Consequences reduced kidney function

People with kidney damage have an increased risk of high blood pressure, bladder infection or renal pelvis infection and cardiovascular disease, such as a heart attack or cerebral infarction. With a further decline in kidney function, the body will poison itself, ultimately increasing the risk of death.

Improve kidney function

In case of reduced kidney function, the following advice can be given to improve or maintain kidney function.

Treating the cause

Sometimes the cause can be found and treated, such as urinary tract infections, kidney stones, blood vessel problems or the presence of certain inflammations

Treating high blood pressure

Kidney damage can be caused by high blood pressure, but it can also cause high blood pressure. Sometimes a blood vessel that causes high blood pressure is treated or antihypertensive medications are prescribed. In addition, treatment with diuretics (water tablets) is often chosen.

Medicines

In the case of kidney damage, the first step is to determine whether medications should be prescribed to treat high blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels and vitamin D. If kidney function continues to decline, other medications will also be prescribed. Previously prescribed medications will also be examined because they can place a burden on the kidneys. If possible, an alternative will be sought.

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Adjust lifestyle

Salt use

Limit salt intake to a minimum. Using too much salt is very stressful for the filter function of the kidneys and causes a higher risk of cardiovascular problems. Use as few ready-made products as possible and do not add salt yourself. The health council advises not to use more than 6 grams of salt per day.

Smoking

Quitting smoking and avoiding a smoky environment relieves the burden on the kidneys. Smoking causes narrowing of the blood vessels, including in the blood vessels of the kidneys.

Reduce obesity

Kidney damage can occur due to reduced blood flow in the kidneys in overweight people. In addition, diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure are relatively common in obesity.

Healthy food

In case of early loss of kidney function, it is especially important not to consume too much protein. The recommended amount of protein per day for mild renal impairment is a maximum of 0.8-1.0 grams per kg body weight.

Alcohol

Limit alcohol intake to a maximum of 1-2 glasses per day. Alcohol has the property of removing fluid from the body, causing the kidneys to work extra hard

Movement

Daily exercise lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of Diabetes Mellitus and also puts less strain on the cardiovascular system. The beneficial effects of regular exercise have a positive effect on kidney function.

Vitamin D and less salt

People who consume a lot of salt are more likely to suffer from kidney damage due to the disruption of the RAAS hormone system. With a vitamin D deficiency, this damage occurs even faster. A combined treatment with salt restriction and the administration of vitamin D supplements appears to produce good results. The decline in kidney function improves and the risk of cardiovascular disease decreases.

Sodium bicarbonate

Sodium bicarbonate, also called baking soda or baking soda, has positive effects on kidney function and reducing kidney stones. However, ingesting sodium bicarbonate leads to fluid retention. This places a greater burden on the kidneys and puts even more pressure on their functioning. Research has also shown that the supposed alkaline effect is immediately reversed by the acids in the gastric juices. Therefore, if you have kidney problems, do not use sodium bicarbonate without consulting your doctor. In case of heart problems, edema formation, liver disease and pre-eclampsia, this warning also applies to the use of sodium bicarbonate.