| Kidneys are as important to your health as your | | | | It causes another 30% of all kidney disease. |
| heart or lungs. Shaped like kidney beans and about | | | | Because blood pressure often rises with chronic |
| the size of your fist, your kidneys are located on | | | | kidney disease, high blood pressure may further |
| either side of your spine under the lower ribs. | | | | damage kidney function even when another |
| Their main task is to remove waste products and | | | | medical condition initially caused the disease. |
| excess fluids from the body through the urine. | | | | High blood sugar (diabetes). |
| The kidneys also ensure that the blood supply to | | | | Diabetes causes about 35% of all chronic kidney |
| your body's tissues has the proper balance of | | | | disease. High blood sugar levels caused by |
| water, minerals (sodium, potassium, phosphate, | | | | diabetes damage blood vessels in the kidneys. If |
| calcium, and magnesium) and other substances | | | | the blood sugar level remains high, this damage |
| that the body needs to work properly. | | | | gradually reduces the function of the kidneys. |
| Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the permanent | | | | Most people don't have any symptoms early in |
| loss of kidney function. CKD may be the result of | | | | the disease. Once the disease progresses, the |
| physical injury or a disease that damages the | | | | symptoms can include the following: |
| kidneys, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. | | | | • Feeling tired |
| When the kidneys are damaged, they do not | | | | • Feeling weak |
| remove wastes and extra water from the blood | | | | • Loss of appetite |
| as well as they should. | | | | • Swelling of the feet and ankles |
| Your body needs protein every day for growth, | | | | Changes in urination -making more or less urine |
| building muscles and repairing tissue. After your | | | | than usual, feeling pressure when urinating, |
| body uses the protein in the foods you eat, a | | | | changes in the color of urine, foamy or bubbly |
| waste product called urea is made. If you have | | | | urine, or having to get up at night to urinate. |
| lost kidney function, your kidneys may not be | | | | Swelling of the feet, ankles, hands, or face -fluid |
| able to get rid of this urea normally. You may | | | | the kidneys can't remove may stay in the tissues. |
| need to reduce the amount of protein you eat to | | | | When your kidneys can no longer do their job |
| avoid buildup of urea in your body. Protein is found | | | | well, you have to control the kinds and amounts |
| in two types of foods: | | | | of food you eat. Together, you and your dietitian |
| In large amounts in foods from animal sources | | | | will make a daily eating plan which will: |
| such as poultry, meat, seafood, eggs, milk, | | | | 1. Meet your nutritional needs |
| cheese and other dairy products. | | | | 2. Cut down the workload on your kidneys |
| In smaller amounts in foods from plant sources | | | | 3. Help keep the kidney function that is left |
| such as breads, cereals, other starches and grains, | | | | (before starting dialysis) |
| and vegetables and fruits. | | | | 4. Control the build-up of food wastes like urea |
| Chronic kidney disease is caused by damage to | | | | 5. Reduce symptoms like fatigue, nausea, itching |
| the kidneys. The most common causes of this | | | | and bad taste in the mouth |
| damage are: | | | | Read about Diet and Recipes and Upload and |
| High blood pressure | | | | Share Videos, Photos. |