Monthly Archives: September, 2022

Table salt, commonly referred to simply as salt in everyday life, is a mineral composed mainly of sodium chloride, a chemical compound of the salt group. In nature, it occurs in the form of natural crystals, as well as dissolved in seawater – the ocean has a salinity of 3.5%, which is equal to 35 grams of salts per liter of water.

The human body removes excess water from the body by filtering the blood through the kidneys, an activity that requires a balance of sodium and potassium in the body. A high-salt diet will alter this sodium balance, resulting in reduced kidney function and the elimination of less water, which in turn will lead to higher blood pressure. In addition, high salt intake has been shown to increase the amount of protein in the urine, which is a major risk factor for worsening kidney function and can increase the worsening of kidney disease in people who already have kidney problems.

WHAT DOES LARGE QUANTITIES OF SALT INTAKE LEAD TO?

High salt intake is associated with risk factors for both heart disease and worsening kidney function, including high blood pressure, excess protein in the urine, and fluid overload. Therefore, reducing salt intake can help reduce the risk of heart disease and preserve kidney function.

HOW MANY GRAMS OF SODIUM ARE OPTIMAL FOR PATIENTS WITH KIDNEY DISEASE?

People with or considered to be at risk of kidney disease or kidney failure should keep their salt intake below the recommended maximum of 5g. This can be achieved through simple changes such as eating less processed foods and checking product labels before purchasing.

HELPFUL STEPS TO REDUCE SALT

• Gradually reduce the amount of salt used, reaching almost 50%.
• Do not add salt to prepared foods before tasting them.
• Use different spices that will make the taste of food more intense without the need for additional salting
• Get a lower sodium variety of sea salt

Seasonal flu is caused by influenza viruses that circulate in all parts of the world. During this season, staying healthy is pure luck. Unfortunately, this fact is not encouraging at all for those who are more susceptible to infections, among whom are patients with chronic kidney disease.

The flu and the common cold are very similar. If the onset of your illness was sudden, you have chills, muscle aches and headaches, then you most likely to have a flu. The cold is milder and the main complaints are stuffy nose and sore throat.

Kidney failure can weaken your immune system so that the flu is several times more likely to cause pneumonia and worsen other accompanying health problems than in healthy people.

WHAT SHOULD WE BE CAREFUL OF?

Be careful with herbal and folk medicines. People living with kidney disease should be extremely careful when using herbal products or complementary medicines. Some herbal preparations and products are not regulated in the same way as those from pharmaceutical companies. Therefore, the list of ingredients is not always accurate, and some herbal medicines have been found to contain pesticides, poisonous plants, hormones, heavy metals and other compounds that are potentially dangerous. Some herbal medicines also contain diuretics, high potassium levels, and/or other ingredients that can affect the kidneys or interact with your prescription drugs by changing their effectiveness.

Another supplement that should be approached with care is vitamin C and the doses in which it is taken. There are specially formulated multivitamins for people with kidney problems that contain just the right number of vitamins that your kidneys can handle. Ask your attending physician for recommendations.

HOW TO PROTECT OURSELVES?

The flu virus is transmitted by airborne droplets. When sick people sneeze and cough, it spreads through the air and anyone can get infected. Prevention is the best medicine. An annual flu shot and frequent hand washing are the best protection. Limit going out until the epidemic passes and avoid contact with sick people. If you still have to go somewhere, you can use a protective mask. Remember that the mask must be replaced with a new one in about 2 hours.