Dietitian Shreya Raises Awareness on Kidney Health from 11th July to 18Th July

Do you know about the two beans like organs, that usually go unnoticed when we talk about essential organs in our body? Two innocent looking parts, that work throughout our lifetime to ensure the best of health for us, but still are rarely discussed when we think about getting our tests done… Yes, we are talking about Kidneys.! Stressing on the importance of these little but critical organs, Dietitian Shreya put out some really valuable information on Kidney health through videos on her YouTube Channel. Starting from the 11th of July and going up to 18th July, she shared critical knowledge with everyone based on her immense and vast experience.  Dietitian Shreya is a renowned name in the field of Clinical Nutritionists and Dietitians, and so any information shared by her would result in a lot of knowledge being imparted and many people being helped! With the huge amount of knowledge that she has, and the marvelous experience she holds, this surely helped out a lot many people in being aware as well correcting their ways of life so as to ensure a healthy and disease-free life ahead.

The awareness campaign started off with her talking about why and how kidneys are so important for the normal functioning of our body, and that how we usually ignore our kidneys because most of the time we undermine the value of these in maintaining our other critical bodily functions. Ranging from basics like filtration of waste from our blood, to even maintaining cardiac health, Kidneys are responsible for a wide spectrum of daily essential body processes that are really cardinal for a healthy life.As compared to Males, Females are more susceptible to kidney issues because of issues like Menopause, Stress, Edema and medicines.

Speaking on the health of kidneys, Dietitian Shreya talked in detail about the various ailments that could affect our kidneys. These ailments if diagnosed in time can be rectified but if not, they could result in Kidney Failure which in turn could end up in a promising life getting cut short. Some of the ailments she discussed were

  • Kidney Stones
  • Polycystic Kidney Disease
  • Lupus Nephritis (also known as SLE: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)
  • Diabetic Nephropathy
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • High Creatinine Levels
  • Kidney Cancer

She threw light on the symptoms that are usually faced by people with such issues like a person with Diabetic Nephropathy will have uncontrollable B.P., Foams and Bubbles in Dark Urine (known as Proteinuria), Edema, Anorexia and Fatigue too. Patients suffering from Polycystic Kidney Disease would more likely have pain and lumps in abdomen caused by fluid filled cysts in kidney along with other symptoms like blood in urine. In detail discussion on symptoms was done by her. All these were discussed so that more people could be made aware so that they do not continue to live with these conditions unknowingly and so that kidney issues, if any could be diagnosed early.

Later editions of Kidney Health Awareness focused on the diagnosis part of living healthy and disease-free life. In depth knowledge was given by Dietitian Shreya on which tests are recommended for which kidney related malfunctions. Special importance was given on getting GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) Tests done from time to time so that we know how good our Kidneys are functioning.  Tests for various conditions are different. Some of these are

*Kidney Stones:  Uric Acid Test, Ultrasound, CT Scan, Analysis of stone if it passes through urine

  • Polycystic Kidney Diseases: Abdominal Ultrasound, CT Scan and MRI, Intravenous Pyelogram
  • Lupus Nephropathy: Blood Test, Kidney Biopsy, Ultrasound, 24 Hours collected Urine Analysis
  • Chronic Kidney Disease: Urine Test, Blood Test, Biopsy of Kidney and Ultrasound
  • Diabetic Nephropathy: RFT (Renal Function Test), Blood and Urine Tests, Xray, Kidney Biopsy
  • High Creatinine: RFT (to know about Sodium, Urea, Potassium and Creatinine levels)
  • Proteinuria: Urine Test
  • Kidney Cancer: CBC (complete blood count), Ultrasound, Xray, CT Scan, MRI, Kidney Biopsy, Angiography and also Bones Scan to see if cancer has spread to the bones as well.

A particular edition of Kidney Awareness Series was aimed at talking about the many benefits of kidneys that may be unknown to many of us. Dietitian Shreya talked about how the function of kidneys is not only limited to filtering our blood. Kidneys help in improved metabolism in our body. Did you know that Kidneys are directly related to our Cardiac health as they help in Cardiac Output? A very little-known fact is that Kidneys also prevent Diabetes. Not only this they help in maintaining alkaline balance in our bodies and also release Erythropoietin (a hormone that helps in the production of RBCs) …  Phew. Such an important organ but so little importance given…

Dietitian Shreya also shared an example from her experience where patients were taking medicines for their heart conditions without actually realizing that the issue was with their kidneys.

A special session was conducted on the Do’s and Don’ts if kidneys are to be kept in an immaculate condition. Some of the steps covered were

Do’s

  • No supplements should be used without consultation with Clinical Nutritionist or Doctor
  • Body should be kept well hydrated
  • Kidney friendly foods should be included
  • Natural herbs and spices
  • Indulge in some physical activities
  • Have JauSattu in summer
  • Have Detox Liquid Diets

Don’ts

  • Don’t Overhydrate
  • Quit Smoking and Alcohol
  • Don’t burden your kidneys
  • Don’t depend on Google/WhatsApp for your diet planning on kidney health

The National Kidney Foundation has identified 5 stages of Renal Diseases. These depend on GFR readings. A Glomerular Filtration Rate test is a blood test that determines how well our kidneys are functioning. Our kidneys have tiny filters called Glomeruli to filter waste. A GFR test determines how much blood passes through these filters in a minute.  GFR reports are really essential for diets to be made accordingly.  Dietitian Shreya covered these stages from 1 to 5 with Stage 1 being reading coming down from 90ml/minute to a really dangerous Stage 5 where readings get down to less than 15ml/min. In such a stage, the only option available is Kidney Transplant or Dialysis owing to Kidney Failure. This is why Dietitian Shreya again and again stressed on the importance of getting regular GFR tests done from time to time.

Rounding up the Special Kidney Awareness Campaign started by Dietitian Shreya’s Family Diet Clinic, Dietitian Shreya touched upon the topic of what type of diets should be included for patients suffering from each of the kidney issues she discussed earlier. With the glorious history of treating patients suffering from all ailments behind her, she gave information about diets to be included but also recommended that these diets are general in nature and that it is really recommended for each individual to get their tests done and then contact her for the best Individualized and Customized Diet Plans available anywhere. Some general tips shared by her were really helpful

  • Kidney Stones: Avoid tomato seeds, Spinach, Masardaal, Chips, Papads; Increase water Intake
  • Polycystic Kidney Diseases: Diets with low Sodium and High Proteins (Not Meat)
  • Lupus Nephritis: Gluten free, Lactose free diet
  • Chronic Kidney Diseases: Improve water intake, Blanched, Soaked Low Potassium fruits and         
  • Vegetables. Keep food high on carbs but low on proteins.
  • Diabetic Nephropathy: Amount of proteins to eb taken to be decided by doctor and then get diet planned by Nutritionist. Healthy carbs can be included like Jaun. Avoid corns and Starch Foods
  • Proteinuria/High Creatinine: Diets with low Proteins.
  • Kidney Cancer: No Raw foods, High Protein, Lactose and Gluten Free Diets

   With So much of knowledge, with so much of experience, Dietitian Shreya surely did impart so much invaluable Gyan on Kidney Health and covered the A2Z of what all there is on kidneys. So next time around do not ignore these two little beans in your body and do get them regularly checked for their normal functioning. And if there is any issue with your kidney, or even if there is no issue but you do want your body to be fit and healthy always, enroll with us here at Dietitian Shreya’s for your own CUSTOMIZED and INDIVIDUALIZED DIET PLAN and feel and live the difference! Also follow us on our YouTube Channel, Instagram handle and Facebook Page to get the latest updates from us!.

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