Mayo Clinicentity dedicated to health research, explains that the kidneys are two organs that are shaped like beans and the size of a fist, which are located on each side of the spine just below the rib cage.
These organs are tasked with filtering waste and excess water from the blood through urine.keeping it clean and chemically balanced, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
When the kidneys suddenly lose the ability to filter waste from the blood, kidney failure occurs. By losing its filtering ability, harmful levels can build up and the chemical composition of the blood can become unbalanced.
Acute renal failure can be fatal and requires intensive treatment. And, although the outlook sounds bleak, the good news is that if it is treated in time it can be reversible.
Additionally, according to the NIDDK Institute, the chances of having kidney disease increase with age and, the longer you have suffered from the named disease, the greater the probability of suffering from kidney disease.
Consequently, it is important to pay attention to the signs and symptoms that can occur with acute renal failure, including, according to the nonprofit entity, Mayo Clinicthey find each other: fluid retention, which causes swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet.
Other symptoms described by Mayo Clinic They are shortness of breath, fatigue, disorientation, nausea, weakness, irregular heartbeat, chest pain or tightness, and seizures or coma, in severe cases.
On the other hand, BlueNetHospitals, the leading private health care system in Los Cabos, explains that there are different habits that can affect the proper functioning of the kidneys and health, including:
1. High consumption of soft drinks. The entity cites a study conducted by the University of Osaka (Japan), in which researchers found that people who drink two or more sodas a day are likely to have protein (proteinuria) in their urine, an early sign of kidney damage, “although at this stage it is still possible to reverse the damage. These drinks are linked to the increased risk of kidney stones,” says BlueNetHospitals.
2. Excess sodium. When excess salt (sodium) is consumed, the kidneys must work twice as hard, because one of their functions is to metabolize the sodium that is ingested through food. In the long term, this effort can cause damage to these organs.
3. Caffeine consumption. Drinking caffeine does not directly damage the kidneys, but consuming it in excess does, because it can cause an increase in blood pressure.
4. Analgesic abuse. “Most people believe that they are the best solution to relieve their ailments. However, it has been shown that the abuse of analgesic drugs has serious side effects, including kidney damage, “explains BlueNetHospitals.
5. Drink alcohol in excess. The intake of any food or product in excess is bad. The entity explains that alcohol is a product that contains toxins and chemical components that are aggressive to the kidneys and the liver, and can damage them in the short term.
