Bubbles should be in your drink, not your urine.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition whereby there is an abnormality in the structure or function of the kidney for more than three months.
CKD affects 15 out of every 100 Malaysian adults and its prevalence has increased over the years.
According to internal medicine specialist Dr Wong Mun Hoe of Pantai Hospital Klang, CKD is associated with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, ageing, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) or herbal medicines.
Common signs and symptoms of CKD include foamy urine, fatigue, swelling (legs, feet, face), weight loss, loss of appetite, difficulty concentrating, difficulty falling asleep, frequent night urination, dry and itchy skin, muscle cramp and puffy eyes.
Foamy urine may occur when you have too much protein in your urine, a potential sign of kidney problem.
Therefore, if you observe that you persistently have foamy urine, please consult your doctor, advised consultant nephrologist and physician Dr Vijaya Bharath Ramasamy of Lam Wah Ee Hospital.
General physician Dr Shafira Mohamad Sha of KPJ Rawang explained that CKD is diagnosed by a combination of tests and procedures which may include blood, urine, imaging (e.g. ultrasound) and biopsy (removing a sample of kidney tissue for testing).
Management of CKD typically includes medication, dietary and lifestyle modifications, and for those with end stage kidney disease, dialysis or kidney transplant.
If CKD is diagnosed early and managed appropriately, patients can live well and delay dialysis for many years.
Some patients with CKD may be advised to adopt a low-protein diet.
Nephrologist Dr Foo Siu Mei of Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur explains that protein in food will be broken down into amino acids and nitrogenous waste after they are digested, and the kidney is responsible for handling these wastes and toxins.
Keto acid is a special type of essential amino acid that does not contain nitrogen.
Keto acid therapy (KAT) helps in reducing the production of nitrogenous waste and the burden on the kidneys, while supplementing patients with their daily protein needs and maintaining their nutritional status.
It has been shown to slow down the decline of the kidney filtration rate and delay the initiation of dialysis.
CKD can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life and well-being. Therefore, it is important to look after our kidneys.
There are eight golden rules that you can use as a guide:
1. Keep fit, be active.
2. Eat a healthy diet.
3. Check and control your blood sugar.
4. Check and control your blood pressure.
5. Appropriate fluid intake.
6. Don’t smoke.
7. Don’t take NSAIDs regularly.
8. Get your kidney function checked if you have any “high risk” factors: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, a family history of kidney disease.
For more information, call 03-7957 2929.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily the opinions of the editor or the sponsor. This publication should not be used as a substitute for professional care. Only a medical professional can diagnose and treat a medical problem. Please refer to your healthcare professional for more information.
