Kidney failure affects the body's ability to filter blood and maintain fluid balance. Many individuals remain unaware of their condition until it reaches an advanced stage.

According to Specialist Doctor Level 2 Nguyen Thi Diem Huong from Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital - Campus 3, early detection and timely preventive measures are crucial to protecting kidney function and enhancing quality of life.

Patients undergoing dialysis at Cho Ray Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, 3/2024. Photo: Phung Tien

Identifying high-risk groups for kidney failure is the first step in proactive prevention and screening for the disease.

Diabetes

Diabetes stands as the primary cause of chronic kidney failure, contributing to 30-50% of all cases. Persistently high blood sugar can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, reducing their ability to filter waste.

Hypertension

Uncontrolled hypertension is a major cause of kidney damage, contributing to approximately 27,2% of chronic kidney failure cases. High blood pressure increases pressure on the blood vessels in the kidneys, causing gradual damage over time.

Cardiovascular disease

Individuals with cardiovascular disease have a higher risk of developing kidney disease, and vice versa.

Primary and secondary glomerulonephritis

This is an inflammation of the small filters in the kidneys (glomeruli), which can lead to kidney failure if left untreated.

Additionally, lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, and an unhealthy diet also increase the risk of kidney disease.

Doctor Huong stated that untreated kidney failure can lead to severe, life-threatening complications, significantly diminishing quality of life.

Kidney failure can trigger various cardiovascular complications: severe and difficult-to-control hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and an elevated risk of stroke. Electrolyte imbalances may also cause arrhythmias.

Kidneys produce erythropoietin, a hormone vital for red blood cell formation. Declining kidney function reduces erythropoietin production, causing anemia. Kidney failure also disrupts calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D metabolism, leading to weak, brittle bones.

Patients often struggle to maintain electrolyte balance, including potassium, sodium, calcium, and phosphorus, which can lead to severe cardiac and neurological issues. The accumulation of waste products in the blood causes symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, intense itching, and neurological disorders.

A compromised immune system in kidney failure patients increases susceptibility to infections. The condition can also cause menstrual irregularities in women and reduced libido and erectile dysfunction in men.

If you have diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or a family history of kidney disease, you are at high risk. Regular health check-ups and doctor-recommended screening tests, particularly urine and blood tests, are vital for assessing kidney function.

According to doctors, while 100% prevention of kidney failure is not possible, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, effectively managing underlying medical conditions, and undergoing regular screenings significantly reduce the risk.

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