Sick kidneys? – Come to the practice clinic in Cologne-Bonn for early detection!

Kidney failure usually begins gradually, but once it has progressed, the functional impairment is in many cases unstoppable. In Germany, thousands of people live with what is known as kidney failure. In around 60.000 patients, the condition is so severe that it has to be treated with dialysis, an artificial blood purification procedure.

Kidney failure usually begins gradually, but once it has progressed, the functional impairment is in many cases unstoppable. In Germany, thousands of people live with what is known as kidney failure. In around 60.000 patients, it is so severe that it has to be treated with dialysis, an artificial blood purification procedure. Every year, around 12.000 people develop chronic kidney failure and therefore have to undergo dialysis or wait for a donor kidney.

 “Many of these cases of kidney failure could be avoided, or the need for dialysis could be delayed for several years with appropriate early detection. In most cases, a simple urine and blood test is sufficient to detect a loss of kidney function. Kidney testing is therefore a quick screening – without much preparation, without pain, but with great effect,” emphasizes Dr. Reinhold Lunow, internist and medical director of the practice clinic Bornheim near Cologne and Bonn.

Diabetics and hypertensives are particularly at risk

Kidney failure can be prevented by treating other underlying diseases properly. The most common risk factor for kidney failure is poorly controlled blood sugar in Diabetespatients and an untreated Hypertension.

"If the sugar in the blood or the blood pressure is permanently too high, this damages the kidneys so that they can no longer cleanse the body of harmful substances," warns Dr. Lunow. "If these high-risk patients have regular internal medical check-ups, this is the best prevention to significantly reduce the risk of kidney failure or to avoid it altogether."

If you experience water retention, see an internist immediately

Unfortunately, a loss of kidney function usually begins without pain or discomfort. However, if the amount of urine decreases and the body stores water, especially in the legs, these can be signs of kidney failure. If kidney failure is advanced, the typical symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, dizziness and general weakness, as well as pale or grayish skin. They indicate that the kidneys are no longer working properly, the body is not regularly rid of toxins and the water and electrolyte balance is out of balance.

"If you suffer from these symptoms, you should immediately see a specialist to clarify the symptoms. Our Bornheim practice clinic is available to you with all its knowledge and modern diagnostics. For high-risk patients such as diabetes and high blood pressure patients, it is advisable to come for a health check at least once a year," advises the expert.

For the early detection of kidney disease, the Doctor A few tests, such as measuring blood pressure, determining creatinine and sugar in the blood and a urine sample for protein, sugar, cells and bacteria. This kidney check is ideally as part of a major complete check carried out.

Provided by: www.internisten-im-netz.de