The doctor named the categories of Russians most susceptible to chronic kidney disease

People with arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes and obesity are most susceptible to chronic kidney disease (CKD), a nephrologist, associate professor of the Department of Nephrology at the Faculty of Medicine of the N.A. Semashko Scientific and Educational Institute of Clinical Medicine at the Russian University of Medicine, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Association of Medical Organizations for Nephrology and Dialysis, told Izvestia. Valery Shilo on April 26.

According to him, children with genetic kidney diseases or abnormalities of the genitourinary system are also at risk.

"In the Russian Federation, such a genetic disease as autosomal dominant polycystic liver and kidney disease (ADPKD), or polycystic kidney disease, is widespread. The manifestations of the disease, the growth of cysts and an increase in kidney volume are usually observed after the age of 40, in the Russian Federation up to 10% of patients need dialysis for this reason," the expert said.

The doctor also added that special attention should be paid to kidney health for women who had complications during pregnancy related to high blood pressure. It is also necessary to monitor the health of the organ for those people who have relatives with kidney diseases. However, after the age of 40, you should regularly take a blood test for glomerular filtration rate, urea and creatinine, and check your urine for protein.

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Shiloh explained that chronic kidney disease in the early stages is often asymptomatic. Patients, as a rule, consult a doctor when the disease is already developing in the last stages.

"Now we need to increase the detection of kidney diseases in the early stages. This will slow down chronic kidney damage or even stop the progression of the disease for a long time," he added.

Speaking about the measures that can be taken to diagnose CKD earlier, the expert clarified that several screenings need to be added to the medical examination: biochemical analysis for urea and creatinine, calculation of glomerular filtration rate, as well as analysis for the presence of protein in urine.

"With the help of these indicators, kidney damage can be suspected. People who are at risk should be regularly examined. So far, Russians do not undergo these screenings en masse, for example, at medical checkups. But some people, such as patients with hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, may undergo an examination, as CKD dramatically increases the number of adverse outcomes, including heart attacks and strokes," said Shilo.

The nephrologist noted that an active lifestyle is the main prevention of chronic kidney disease and many other diseases. Daily physical activity is important — 10 thousand steps in middle age and 4 thousand for the elderly, as well as quitting smoking and a reasonable balanced diet.

"Weight control is the basis for lifestyle modification to reduce the risk of all chronic non—communicable diseases, including CKD. I recommend a Mediterranean diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits, fish and seafood. Limit salt in your diet and drink plenty of fluids. It is necessary to monitor the water balance primarily for athletes, workers in hot workshops and those who spend a lot of time in the sun, for example, at the cottage," concluded Shilo.

Earlier, on April 11, Artur Bogatyrev, a urologist and andrologist at the SM Clinic Center for Reproductive Health, told Izvestia that even seemingly healthy foods can disrupt kidney function if consumed excessively. He noted that in the presence of renal pathologies, products with a high content of oxalates should be excluded. These include spinach, nuts, French fries, chips, sorrel, beetroot, bran, and chocolate. The andrologist also recommended limiting avocado consumption due to its high potassium content.