Timely care, proper treatment and adopting a good lifestyle are the keys to control high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a major cause of kidney disorders and kidney failure. The kidney is an important organ in the body and plays an important role in controlling blood pressure. This is done by disposing off excess water and minerals from the body through urine and by regulating the levels of certain hormones in the blood.

High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels and filters in the kidney. As a result, blood vessels become narrow, blood flow decreases, and the kidneys are unable to function properly. This further increases the blood pressure and the increased blood pressure again damages the kidneys while this vicious cycle continues. Overall, this makes it difficult to remove waste products from the body and leads to kidney failure. High blood pressure can have adverse effects not only on the kidney but also on many organs like the brain, heart, eyes etc.

Symptoms of kidney disease:

• Swelling of the feet
• Decreased urination
• Night-time increased frequency of urine
• Vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, etc

But in many patients, the disease is already in advanced stages before any symptoms show up. Therefore, tests such as serum creatinine, urea, electrolytes, protein in urine and abdominal sonography, etc., are required to diagnose kidney disease. These tests shouldbe done when high blood pressure is diagnosed and thereafter every six to twelve months.

If the kidney disease is diagnosed, doctors may suggest certain medicines. The main goal is to control blood pressure, thereby preventing further damage to the kidneys. But these medicines are given according to the medical condition of each individual. For those with diabetes, it is important to take special care. Keeping blood pressure under control is essential if high blood pressure to avoid resulting kidney disorders.

Five things are to be kept in mind :

• Take tablets as per doctor’s advice
• Check blood pressure levels regularly
• Reducing the amount of salt in the diet
• Lifestyle changes – healthy diet, weight loss, adequate sleep, stopping smoking or related habits
• People with high blood pressure should exercise regularly but should consult a doctor before they start.

Another important issue is high blood pressure at a young age. Blood pressure before the age of forty can possibly be a sign of a kidney disease. Such patients need to be treated properly. But many of these patients stop treatment and reach the stage of kidney failure simply because of neglecting their own health.

Kidney diseases can be prevented or controlled by taking timely care, proper treatment and adopting a good lifestyle.