Almost all men know the importance of the kidneys, but they may fall into misconceptions when it comes to protecting them. Many men place their hopes on health products, but the results are often unsatisfactory.
Kidney diseases, unlike other illnesses, may exhibit symptoms that are linked to men’s personal privacy. Some men are afraid to go to the hospital for tests, fearing that issues will be uncovered and they will lose face. For such men, it may be helpful to start by examining some of their own characteristics to understand the condition of their kidneys.
When a man’s kidneys are not functioning properly, it may result in poor fluid circulation, leading to the accumulation of excess fluid around the skin and causing edema. These men often wake up in the morning to find significant swelling on their faces, hands, and feet, as if they have gained an extra layer.
Of course, the most apparent sign is abdominal swelling. Abdominal swelling differs from obesity, as decreased kidney filtration capacity leads to an increase in toxins in the body fluids, resulting in abdominal swelling. Additionally, the inability of the excess fluid to escape the body leads to intra-abdominal accumulation, causing ascites and further abdominal enlargement.
The main function of the kidneys is filtration. When the kidneys are healthy, their filtration capacity is normal, and there are not many impurities in the urine, which generally does not have a strong odor. In contrast, in patients with kidney damage, the filtration capacity is reduced, the glomeruli cannot excrete excess proteins and other toxins, leading to an increase in impurities in the urine and a stronger odor.
In a healthy individual, the urine odor becomes noticeable only a few minutes after urination. However, patients with kidney issues may experience a strong foul odor in the urine immediately due to an abundance of toxins.
While the smell in the urine might be tolerable, bad breath is not. Patients with kidney problems may experience bad breath due to the delay in toxin elimination from the body. These toxins break down under the influence of vitamins, producing gases containing ammonia. These gases may be expelled through urination or could enter the oral cavity via the esophagus, causing bad breath.
The bad breath of a patient is distinct from typical bad breath. The bad breath of a kidney disease patient often resembles the odor of urine. If a similar smell is detected in one’s mouth, medical attention should be sought promptly.
When patients notice their kidney health deteriorating, one of the worse things in terms of treatment is indiscriminately taking various tonics. The kidneys filter toxins and aid the liver in detoxifying the body. Hence, the ingredients in health products ingested need to be filtered by the kidneys. Many tonics contain heavy ingredients. To produce quick results, the proportion of these ingredients is often increased, posing greater risks. Whether medicinal alcohol or other health products, once a dependency is formed, it is detrimental to kidney health and can worsen kidney disease progression.
Taking care of the kidneys isn’t as difficult as it seems; patients just need to be more mindful in their lifestyle. Incorporating a daily morning jogging routine, around half an hour, maintained for over a decade, not only benefits the kidneys but also provides overall visceral health. Dietary adjustments are also crucial; patients should opt for a light diet, avoid alcohol and smoking, limit the consumption of greasy foods, seafood, animal organs, etc., to prevent kidney damage.
In conclusion, there are no shortcuts in kidney care. Do not be swayed by misinformation or exaggerated advertisements. Returning to a reasonable lifestyle and dietary habits is the best protection for the kidneys. Men appear strong due to healthy kidneys; hence, they should not take their health lightly.
