Are you familiar with the signs and symptoms of kidney shrinkage or atrophic kidney disease? Do you know what diet is suitable for this disease? Do you know the ways to treat this disease? What precautions should people with the disease take? You may be wondering if this disease is the same as renal hypoplasia or not? In this article from the section diseasesDr. Salam, we want to study the symptoms, risk factors, proper diet and ways to prevent this disease.
Shrinkage of the kidney
The usual size of a kidney is the size of a fist. A small kidney is a kidney that is abnormally small and has an abnormal function. This condition is also known as atrophic kidney disease. Of course, this disease is not similar to renal hypoplasia. Hypoplasia is a disease in which the kidneys from the mother’s uterus as well as from birth are smaller than usual.
The kidneys are located in the lower part of both sides of the spine, just below the chest. The left kidney is usually slightly larger than the right. Also, the left kidney is usually slightly higher and closer to the heart. Both kidneys can start to get smaller, but this is more likely for the left kidney.
What are the signs and symptoms of kidney shrinkage?
The kidneys remove waste products from the blood and expel excess water from the body. They also play an important role in regulating blood pressure.
In the early stages of kidney disease, you may not notice a problem in your body. This can hide up to 30 to 40% of the symptoms of this disease for us. While the kidneys are less able to filter blood, you may notice the following symptoms:
- Changes in the number of times you urinate
- Darkening of the skin
- Drowsiness
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle cramps
- nausea and vomiting
- Swelling of the hands and feet
Other symptoms of atrophic kidneys include:
- Hypertension
- Chronic anorexia
- High creatine concentration
- Electrolyte disorders
- Malnutrition
Your specific symptoms may be due to kidney damage.
Causes of this disease
Kidney damage can start suddenly, such as when the kidney is severely injured or possibly contaminated with toxins. Kidney shrinkage may also be caused by another condition, such as:
Kidney damage generally occurs over a long period of time. This happens when blood flow does not reach the kidneys completely.
It should be noted that if you have the following, you are more likely to get this disease:
- Diabetes
- Family history of kidney disease
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
Ways to treat kidney shrinkage
Your treatment depends on the size of your kidneys. Treating the underlying cause of this disease can prevent further damage to the kidneys. Even if you have an atrophic kidney, your kidneys may still be efficient enough to do their job well.
But if your kidneys are working less than 10 to 15%, expose Kidney failure You are. This means that you need medicine to do your kidney work.
One way to do this is through dialysis.
In hemodialysis, using an artificial kidney device called a hemodialysis machine, blood flows through the veins and thus removes waste products from the body. In peritoneal (peritoneal) dialysis, a fluid called dialysis is used to fill the patient’s abdomen and purify waste products using a peritoneal dialysis machine.
Dialysis helps the body do what the kidneys can no longer do. But this can not be considered a cure. The patient must have dialysis several times a week for the rest of his life, or else have a kidney transplant.
A sick person can receive a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor. This wait for a healthy kidney may take years. After the transplant, the patient should be cared for for the rest of his or her life to prevent kidney rejection.
Is there a special diet for atrophic kidneys?
Shrinkage of the kidney with diet It can not be cured or returned to normal. But it should be noted that diet can play a vital role in the treatment of kidney disease. Here are some steps you can take to begin the process of preparation for mediation.
Reduce your sodium intake:
This will help control your blood pressure. The National Institute of Diabetes and Gastrointestinal Diseases (NIDDK) recommends a diet that contains less than 2300 mg of sodium per day. Some of the ways to reduce sodium are:
* As much as you can, use fresh foods instead of packaged foods.
* When using food such as canned food, be sure to wash it before cooking.
* When buying, check the labels on the product to check the amount of sodium available.
* Prefer cooking at home to restaurant food and fast food.
* Replace salt with other spices in cooking.
Pay attention to protein
The more protein you eat, the harder your kidneys will work. But you need enough protein to get it from animal products like:
- Chicken
- dairy
- egg
- Fish
- Meat and…
Get.
The size of the section and the section are also important here. A portion of chicken, fish or meat is equivalent to 2 to 3 ounces. A portion of yogurt or milk means half a cup; And part of the cheese means a piece of cheese.
You can also get the protein you need from beans, seeds and nuts. A portion of cooked beans, rice or noodles, is half a cup. A quarter of a cup of nuts; And a piece of bread means a piece.
Take care of your heart
Healthy and heart-healthy foods prevent the accumulation of fat in the heart, blood vessels and kidneys. Consider the following tips for a healthy diet:
* Avoid fried foods and use cooked, grilled or less fried foods instead.
Cook with butter or olive oil instead of oil.
* Limit consumption of saturated and trans fats.
Some good alternatives are:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Beans
- Low-fat or fat-free yogurt, milk and cheese
- Fish
- Chicken or rooster skinned
- Lean lean meat
If kidney function continues to deteriorate, your doctor will make recommendations for your patient’s diet. Kidney disease can increase the body’s phosphorus, so your doctor may ask you to eat foods that are less phosphorus. These foods include:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Bread
- Rice and pasta
- Cereals
be.
Phosphorus may be present in packaged foods as much as in foods such as fish and poultry, so be sure to look at the label on the product before eating such foods.
Low-functioning kidneys can also increase potassium in the body. Low potassium foods include:
- Apples and peaches
- Cabbage and green beans
- White bread and rice and pasta
be.
The following are generally low in potassium, but they are higher in potency than the above three:
- Bananas and oranges
- Beans and nuts
- Whole grains
- Brown rice
- لنبیات
- Potatoes, tomatoes
- Salt substitutes
- Whole wheat bread and pasta
Talk to your doctor about diet. It can also be helpful to consult a nutritionist.
Patient Outlook Kidney Shrinkage (Lifespan)
You can live a long and healthy life with just one healthy kidney. However, you should monitor your diet and see your doctor regularly.
In some cases, chronic kidney disease can lead to kidney failure. If your kidney function is below 25%, it is a serious problem. For people on dialysis, the average life expectancy is 5 to 10 years, but some may live another 30 years.
If the donor is alive, the kidney transplant will take 12 to 20 years, otherwise it will take 8 to 12 years.
Of course, this depends to a large extent on age and other health issues. Your doctor can give you a better perspective for the future, given your current situation.
Can atrophy be prevented?
It is not always possible to prevent the kidneys from shrinking. But there are some things you can do to help keep your kidneys healthy.
First, try to avoid conditions that can damage your kidneys, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. If you are in such a situation right now, try to keep it under control.
Your diet should be rich in the following:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Low-fat or non-fat dairy products
- Limit consumption of the following:
- Processed or fried foods
- سدیم
- sugar Loaf
Some other general suggestions:
- Try to practice for at least 30 minutes most days.
- Keep your weight healthy.
- Try to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
- Do not smoke.
- Prescribe the medicine according to the doctor’s instructions.
- Control your cholesterol levels.
- Treat urinary tract infections quickly.
