Episode 8 of the "healthy kidneys - happy life" talk show, titled "how to prevent progression and mitigate kidney complications", aired on HTV7 at 5 PM on 23/11. The episode featured associate professor, doctor Pham Van Bui, president of the International Society of Hemodialysis (2023-2027) and president of the Ho Chi Minh City Hemodialysis Association, alongside specialist doctor II Truong Hoang Khai, head of the nephrology - hemodialysis department at Kien Giang General Hospital.

The "healthy kidneys - happy life" talk show series, a collaboration between the Ho Chi Minh City Hemodialysis Association, Nipro Medical Corporation, and FPT Healthcare Technology Unit, addresses the rapid increase and younger demographic of chronic kidney disease. The series aims to provide expert knowledge and enhance community understanding of the condition.

An audience member watching the introductory video for episode 8 of the "healthy kidneys - happy life" program. Image: FPT

An audience member watching the introductory video for episode 8 of the "healthy kidneys - happy life" program. Image: FPT

Statistics indicate a growing number of individuals with chronic kidney disease. Due to its often asymptomatic and silent progression, many discover the disease at advanced stages, making treatment significantly more challenging than if detected early.

Therefore, experts recommend regular general health check-ups for early detection. Once diagnosed, active treatment is essential. Additionally, to prevent disease progression, patients must focus on nutritional factors, lifestyle choices, and treatment adherence.

Nutrition for chronic kidney disease patients

In general nutrition, not just for kidney patients but for everyone, three factors require attention: sugar, salt, and fat (especially animal fat), which cause many diseases.

Depending on the kidney disease stage, patients may need different diets. Generally, chronic kidney disease patients need adequate protein. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends consuming at least 0,8 gram of protein per 1 kg of body weight daily. On average, 100 grams of food (fish, shrimp, meat) contains about 20 grams of protein. Thus, if a patient weighs 50 kg, they need to consume at least 40 grams of protein, equivalent to 200 grams of fish, shrimp, or meat daily. Regarding protein sources, it is advisable to reduce animal-based protein (especially red meat and processed foods) and increase the proportion of plant-based protein (from vegetables, tubers, seeds, and legumes).

For fat, prioritize plant-based fats rich in omega 3, such as olive oil and soybean oil.

Regarding sugar, refined sugar and chemical sugar should be limited; if necessary, complex sugars (found in foods like sweet potatoes) can be used.

In the diet for kidney patients, vitamins and trace elements such as minerals and fiber are also crucial and must be supplied in sufficient daily amounts. Recent recommendations for chronic kidney disease patients emphasize consuming enough plant-based foods, which provide protein, collagen, vitamins, and minerals.

According to experts, this diet is beneficial for both healthy individuals and kidney patients, as well as for those with cardiovascular and other diseases, helping to limit disease progression and protect long-term health.

A diet rich in vegetables and fruits is beneficial for both healthy individuals and chronic kidney disease patients. Image: Pexels

A diet rich in vegetables and fruits is beneficial for both healthy individuals and chronic kidney disease patients. Image: Pexels

Bad habits to avoid to prevent disease progression

The first bad habit to quit is smoking. Beyond causing lung cancer and respiratory illnesses, smoking also affects memory, the cardiovascular system, and kidneys.

Alcohol abuse is the second bad habit to quit. While red wine might offer some protection for the heart and kidneys if consumed in moderation, alcohol abuse generally causes many types of cancer, making its limitation highly advisable.

Furthermore, unhealthy lifestyle habits like physical inactivity, staying up too late, and waking up too late are harmful to kidneys, the nervous system, and other organs in the body.

To prevent disease progression, patients should avoid polluted environments. Invisible, airborne toxins, when inhaled, can cause lung diseases; when entering the bloodstream, they can cause cardiovascular or kidney diseases.

Using medication without a doctor's prescription or consuming unverified functional foods can also negatively impact kidney health.

Managing underlying conditions to protect kidneys

Medical science often refers to the "cardio-renal-metabolic syndrome" to describe the close link between these three disease groups. When one disease starts, it can cause the other two due to cross-damage mechanisms: hypertension harms the kidneys, kidney disease raises blood pressure; and diabetes simultaneously affects both the heart and kidneys.

For patients with co-morbidities, treatment requires a comprehensive approach: good control of blood pressure, blood sugar, and metabolic disorders will help slow kidney disease progression and reduce cardiovascular complications. Patients often take multiple medications, so adherence to doctor's instructions and monitoring side effects are crucial.

For patients with co-existing diabetes and chronic kidney disease, good management of diabetes also helps prevent chronic kidney disease progression. Image: FPT

For patients with co-existing diabetes and chronic kidney disease, good management of diabetes also helps prevent chronic kidney disease progression. Image: FPT

Additionally, in episode 8, experts highlighted actions patients can take at home to recognize their condition, allowing them to inform doctors for timely intervention and prevent disease progression. Experts also outlined the progression of chronic kidney disease and risk factors when kidney disease is uncontrolled.

Kim Anh

For more information about kidney disease, readers can follow the "healthy kidneys - happy life" program, produced by the Ho Chi Minh City Hemodialysis Association in collaboration with Nipro Medical Corporation and FPT Healthcare Technology Unit. The program features leading experts in nephrology and hemodialysis, airing at 5 PM every Sunday on HTV7.

The "healthy kidneys - happy life" program will answer questions and provide useful information about kidney health, a silent yet vital organ for everyone's well-being. Viewers can interact with the program via its official Fanpage to receive gifts. At the end of each episode, a QR code will appear on screen, allowing viewers to submit questions directly for experts to answer in subsequent episodes.

Episode 8, "how to prevent progression and mitigate kidney complications", will also be re-uploaded to the program's official Fanpage.