Silent Killer - CKD

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been identified as a silent killer as it is often not detected until it has reached an advanced stage. CKD is becoming common in today's world due to an increase in people at risk factors, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and age. According to the National Kidney Foundation, CKD is taking proportions of an epidemic around 8-10% of the world’s population, and many are unaware

Kidney damage, the leading cause of death among CKD patients, develops slowly over time, and once the damage is done, it cannot be reversed, only carried forward to the next treatment phases, including diet modification, medication, dialysis, or transplantation. Though medicines and surgeries may be prescribed as treatments to a greater extent, the food and fluids consumed by the person every day have an outsized influence on CKD effects. A proper diet can improve patients' overall health and reduce the progression of the disease itself.

"Kidney"-friendly diets can offer many health benefits for CKD patients:

1. Lowering hypertension: High blood pressure impairs kidney function and is a leading cause of CKD. A balanced diet can act as a treatment tool towards managing hypertension. It's essential to limit sodium intake for monitoring blood pressure levels.
2. Better nutritional balance: Clinicians recommend increased protein intake at many stages of CKD, while early-stages CKD patients need lesser Protein contents in meals to lower their kidneys' workload.
3. Managing Calorie and weight: On account of, patients that limit weight, might further lessen the degree of kidney harm. Health conditions correlated with CKD, such as diabetic or vascular issues, are often sensitive to the number of calories reaching the body. Thus, calorie-controlled diets are part of general wellness meals from hypothalamus.
4. Controlling levels of Potassium and Phosphorus: Damaged kidneys may be less effective at regulating levels of Potassium and Phosphorus effectively. A specialist examined CKD diets have mild amounts of Potassium and Phosphorus for the safety of kidneys.
5. Increased moisture consumption: Individuals with CKD are often recommended to consume daily fluids equaling 1 to 2 Litres. Because healthy kidneys control a balanced liquid-extravasation course of activities, CKD patients must manage an appropriate amount of liquids intake

In conclusion, CKD affects millions of people, most of whom do not realize it, contributing to the "silent killer" nickname. A targeted and specialised dietary plan, composed for the individual patient by specialists such as hypothalamus, can oftentimes shield and lessen the progression of CKD. By creating a tailored meal plan aimed at encouraging good eating habits, preventing malnutrition, and controlling complications, CKD patients can enable themselves to improve life quality and help live longer. Maintaining a "Kidney"-friendly diet, along with prescribed health decisions, medication therapy, and conversing with medical professionals will assure that kidney health is treated with utmost priority