Kidney health in focus: How to recognize secret dangers!

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On World Kidney Day, Prof. Dr. Pohanka on kidney disease, risk factors and early detection. Recognize risks, protect health.

Kidney health in focus: How to recognize secret dangers!

More and more people in Europe are affected by kidney failure, also known as kidney weakness. Loud crown Ten percent of adults already suffer from chronic kidney disease, and many are unaware of their condition. The symptoms often only appear when a large part of the kidney function has already been lost. Professor Erich Pohanka, an expert in internal medicine and nephrology, warns that chronic kidney disease could become the fifth leading cause of death by 2040. The main culprits are risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, which can cause serious damage to the kidneys over a long period of time.

Risk factors and symptoms

The kidneys perform essential tasks in the body: they clean the blood, regulate blood pressure and control the mineral balance. But that only works up to a certain point. If more than 80 percent of kidney function is lost, symptoms such as high blood pressure, headaches and water in the legs can occur NDR reported. People who suffer from diabetes or high blood pressure, as well as those with an unhealthy diet or who are overweight are particularly at risk. Early detection is often possible through blood and urine tests, although an increased creatinine value can indicate impaired kidney function.

If you recognize the progression of the disease early, you can often prevent a deterioration in kidney function through medication and dietary adjustments. If there is a loss of function of less than ten percent in the final stage, the only alternative is usually dialysis or a kidney transplant. Given the increasing number of kidney patients in Europe, it is essential to have your kidney values ​​checked regularly and take preventative measures to avoid serious health consequences.