How to Improve Kidney Function to Avoid Dialysis?

Kidneys can lose up to 90% of their work and still perform their functions pretty well. Improving kidney function is one of the primary aims on which everyone would like to work. Losing more than one function of the kidney is considered to be kidney failure. There are majorly two types of kidney failure, including:

• Acute kidney failure: It is one of the sudden loss of kidney function that is usually reversible.
• Chronic kidney failure: It is the gradual loss of kidney functions that gets worse with time and is not reversible. However, the process of destruction can be slowed down with certain measurements.

What is Kidney Dialysis?

The function of kidneys is to filter blood by removing the waste and excess fluid from your body. This waste is later sent to the urinary bladder, where it is extracted out of the body in the form of urine. Kidney dialysis is one of the special processes that help to improve the function of the kidney especially when it fails. End-stage kidney failure takes place when the kidney remains available to perform only 10-15% of normal function.

Kidney dialysis is the treatment that helps to filter and purify the blood with the help of machines. The machine used helps to keep the electrolytes and fluids in balance. Dialysis is one of the unique techniques that are available for kidney failure people.

What is the use of Kidney Dialysis?

A proper functioning kidney helps to prevent extra water, waste, and other impurities from the body. It prevents the accumulation of waste material and controls blood while regulating the chemical and other elements in the body. These elements may include sodium and potassium. Kidneys also help to activate the form of VItamin D that improves the absorption of calcium

When the kidneys cannot perform normal function due to any kind of injury or failure, dialysis is one of the main treatments that remains the last option. Without dialysis, the kidneys fail to work and there increases the contamination of salt, and other waste products in the kidneys, which further becomes life-threatening.

• Dialysis is not a cure for kidney failure and other problems. It is one of the ways of improving kidney function. Different treatments may affect your kidney function and keep you alive for a few periods.
• Kidneys help to remove waste and extra fluid from your body so that it gets rid of the body in the form of urine.
• When your kidney stops, the kidneys no longer work normally and it is called kidney failure.

Methods that help in improving kidney function

High blood pressure and diabetes are the two major diseases that can become the primary reason for kidney failure. There are many prevention tips that you can follow to prevent the use of dialysis. However, you cannot fully prevent dialysis, it is one of the major requirements that becomes necessary at the time of kidney failure. You can follow the following tips in case you want to improve the quality of life along with dialysis:

• Manage your blood sugar

Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and kidney failure. It is one of the primary reasons for which you may require to manage your blood sugar level.

• Manage your blood pressure

High blood pressure is one of the two reasons for kidney failure.

• Maintain a healthy weight

None of the two conditions like excessive weight loss and excessive weight gain are beneficial for normal human health. Obesity is one of the reasons for increased risk factors associated with kidney failure. It also leads to the formation of other harmful diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes.

• Eat a diet that is pleasurable for your heart

The symptoms of kidney failure can be avoided if you take an adequate amount of water. Hydration is the key for any major disease like sugar, cholesterol, heart disease, gas formation, headaches due to gas, and others. Try to consume a healthy diet that is full of fiber, whole grains including fruits and vegetables. Prevent excessive weight gain.

• Minimize your salt intake

The kidney helps to remove extra salt and waste material from the blood. Therefore, you must work on your salt intake. Also, eating too much salt can increase blood pressure which will ultimately worsen the situation of kidneys.

• Follow the key rule- hydration

Dehydration reduces blood flow, which can damage the vessels and can improve the contamination of waste in the body. You can work in collaboration with your doctor and follow the points which may help you ignore the frequent use of dialysis treatment.

• Try to work on your alcohol intake

If you drink regularly, it can be the reason for kidney failure. Alcohol increases blood pressure and makes the body gain extra calories while increasing weight.

• Don’t smoke

Smoking reduces kidney function and damages the kidneys making them vulnerable or prone to failure.

• Reduce stress

Stress, anxiety, and depression are the major causes of the majority of diseases. It causes an increase in blood pressure and when you eat more while being in depression, it also increases your body weight. Try working on your body and lowering the stress so that you can have low chances of kidney failure and blood pressure.

• Exercise regularly

It is one of the best ways for Improving kidney function. You can perform a few of the exercises like swimming, walking, and running. This will keep you active even if you have kidney failure and will help you rejuvenate yourself. You will reduce stress, manage diabetes, and blood pressure, and will be able to maintain a healthy weight. Ultimately, you will be able to increase your lifespan, that is one of the most important things when you have kidney failure.

Consult with your doctor regularly. There are certain types of kidney failure that are reversible. If you have that type of kidney failure, following the preventive measures can help you restore kidney function.

Are there any alternatives to kidney dialysis?

Dialysis is one of the most time-consuming and expensive procedures. Not everyone can afford the medical process, even if they are suffering from acute kidney failure.

• If you are making the decision not to pursue dialysis, you can work on the management of kidney failure and its symptoms.
• One of the kidney failure symptom management techniques is anemia management. When the kidneys work normally, they release a kind of hormone called erythropoietin (EPO). It is one of the naturally occurring hormones that are the key to the healthy working of kidneys.
• If you are going through kidney failure or choosing not to go for dialysis, you can opt for an injection of EPO every week.
• Despite this, you can manage your blood pressure, which will lower the deterioration of the kidneys.

Try to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water to avoid dehydration. Talk to your doctor and work on the inflammation of the kidneys and take over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen and diclofenac.

When the kidney fails and extracts fluid in your body, it causes the symptoms of kidney failure. If you or anyone you know is going through the adverse symptoms of kidney failure and dialysis, you can consider talking to the experts of KIMS Hospital.

If you want an alternative for kidney dialysis, a kidney transplant is another option. It is one of the long-time commitments that help you increase your life-span. But, the major problem with kidney transplants is finding the exact donor that matches yours. Also, you may not be a good candidate for a kidney transplant if you smoke, drink alcohol, have obesity, and have any untreated mental health condition.