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how to have a healthy kidney
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Kidney & Urinary Health
Question #16469
2 days ago
18

how to have a healthy kidney - #16469

Pooja

I am seriously worried about my kidney health lately! A few months ago, I started feeling kinda off overall – I'm talking fatigue, some weird back pain, and even some swelling around my ankles. Ugh, I know, but I thought it was just stress from work or something. But then during my yearly check-up, my doctor mentioned my creatinine levels were slightly elevated and said I needed to pay more attention to how to have a healthy kidney. Like, how do I even start?? I’ve tried to cut back on salt and hydrate more, but there’s just so much info out there. I read somewhere that certain foods are better for kidney health, but like, is there a specific diet or just some simple things I can do daily? I'm nervous about what could happen if I don’t get on track and I'm also kinda confused about protein intake—too much or too little? Plus, I’m curious if stuff like caffeine affects how to have a healthy kidney, because I love my morning coffee. Do I need to go see a specialist, or can my primary care doc help with all this? I don't wanna ignore it anymore. Any tips or advice would be super helpful!

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Doctors’ responses

To focus on maintaining healthy kidneys, it’s crucial to address a few key lifestyle and dietary factors. Since you’ve noticed symptoms like fatigue, back pain, and ankle swelling along with your recent lab results, it’s wise to prioritize kidney health adjustments now. First, continuing to reduce salt intake is beneficial, as high salt levels can increase blood pressure, putting extra stress on the kidneys. Aim for no more than 2,300 mg of sodium daily. Staying hydrated is also essential, but the right balance is key—generally, 8 to 10 cups of water daily should suffice, but it can vary depending on activity level and climate. In terms of diet, focusing on low potassium and low phosphorus foods can be helpful if levels are elevated. Foods like apples, berries, and cauliflower are usually good choices. When it comes to protein, moderation helps; a typical guideline for adults is around 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. Too much protein can burden the kidneys if they’re already stressed, so it’s a fine line. Regarding your coffee habit, moderate caffeine consumption (2-3 cups a day) is generally not harmful for the kidneys unless otherwise advised by your doctor. Since you’ve had elevated creatinine, ongoing monitoring is useful, and your primary care doctor can often manage these initially; however, seeing a nephrologist might be advised if you have persistent or worsening symptoms. Don’t overlook regular blood pressure and blood glucose monitoring too, as these can further affect kidney function. Essentially, coordinating follow-ups with your doctor while making these lifestyle adjustments can help manage and maintain kidney health effectively.

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