Did you know poor kidney health can result from diabetes or high blood pressure, reducing kidney function and leading to chronic kidney disease?
Did you know when bacteria enters the kidney, it travels to the urethra and can cause Kidney Infection?
Did you know elevated concentration of electrolytes and chemicals in the urine or blood can form a stone thereby causing kidney stones?
Did you know fluid-filled sacs can develop on the kidneys, causing cysts that may be benign (harmless) or malignant (cancerous)?
Early Indicators of Poor Kidney Health
Kidney diseases often develop silently, but the body may begin to show warning signs through certain symptoms like:
- High blood pressure
- Dark urine or urine with blood
- Itchy or dry skin
- Foamy urine
- More frequent urination
- Puffy eyes or swollen ankles and feet
Kidney Functions
The symptoms people experience in kidney disease are often a direct result of the kidneys struggling to carry out their vital functions which are:
- Remove waste and excess fluid from the body
- Filtering the blood, keeping some compounds while removing others
- Help make red blood cells
- Balance important vitamins and minerals
- Help maintain your blood pressure
Understanding Kidney Health Through Essential Laboratory Tests
Due to all the important functions of the kidney in the body, kidney tests are essential in monitoring one’s health and performances:
- Creatinine test is a blood test used to evaluate how well the kidneys are functioning, as creatinine is a waste product produced when muscles use energy. The kidneys filter creatinine out of the blood and remove it from the body through urine. When the kidneys are dysfunctional, creatinine can build up in the blood. Measuring the level of creatinine in the blood helps determine how efficiently the kidneys are filtering waste.
- A urea blood test measures the levels of urea in the blood. Urea is a waste product that is formed when the body breaks down protein. It is then transported to the kidneys, where it is eliminated from the body through urine. High urea level may indicate that the kidneys are not filtering waste efficiently.
- Albumin test: Albumin is a protein produced by the liver, it plays an important role in maintaining fluid balance in the body. Kidneys prevent albumin from leaking out of the blood into the urine, when the kidneys are damaged, albumin levels in the blood may decrease which can appear in the urine. Therefore, measuring albumin can help assess kidney function and certain liver conditions.
- A calcium blood test: Calcium is an important mineral that is important for many bodily functions, including bone health. This test measures the levels of calcium in the blood. High levels of calcium, known as hypercalcemia, can be caused by overactive parathyroid glands, cancer or certain medications. Low levels of calcium, known as hypocalcemia, can be caused by vitamin D deficiency or kidney dysfunction.
- A bicarbonate blood test measures the levels of bicarbonate in the blood. Bicarbonate is a chemical that helps maintain the body’s acid-base balance which is essential for cell and organ function. Low bicarbonate levels may mean metabolic acidosis, while high levels may mean metabolic alkalosis. This test is also done alongside other electrolyte tests to evaluate how well the kidneys and body are maintaining a healthy chemical balance.
- Potassium blood test measures the level of potassium, an essential mineral and electrolyte, in the blood. Potassium is crucial for proper muscle function and maintaining a healthy heart rhythm. Abnormal potassium levels can signal kidney problems, since the kidneys help regulate potassium balance.
Regular checkups, including blood and urine tests, are important to monitor your kidney health and catch problems early. To help prevent kidney dysfunction:
- Small daily habits, like drinking enough water go a long way in keeping your kidneys healthy
- Maintain a balanced diet
- Cut excessive salt and processed foods
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid smoking or excessive alcohol.