Cloudy urine

During a kidney infection, your pee might look cloudy. “Your body is sending white blood cells to fight the infection,” explains Nicole Ali, MD, a nephrologist at NYU Langone. “What you see in the urine is blood cells and bacteria building up

Foul-smelling pee
Noticing an unusual stench when you urinate could be another one of the kidney infection symptoms you experience. “That’s the fermentation of the bacteria,” says Dr. Modlin. Don’t jump to conclusions if it’s your only symptom, though. Cloudy, strong-smelling urine can also be a sign of dehydration, he says, so see if drinking more water helps. This is how much water you should really be drinking.

Pus in the urine

In severe cases of kidney infection, you might see pus when you urinate because of a buildup of white blood cells and bacteria, says Dr. Ali. “At the point where someone is seeing pus in the urine, they probably have a bad infection,” says Dr. Ali

Fever



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Bladder infections don’t normally cause a fever; running a temperature could indicate the infection has traveled up to your kidneys. Certain types of kidney stones can also cause infections—and fevers. “When the kidney gets obstructed, it can lead to fever because there can be backup of urine and that can lead to an infection,” says Dr. Coogan.

Your gender

Most kidney infections will start with bacteria that travel up the urinary tract to the bladder; the infection can then make its way to the kidneys. Because women have a shorter urethra than men, they’re at higher risk for urinary tract infections (UTIs)—and that leaves them more vulnerable to kidney infections too

Groin pain
Men might feel the pain of a kidney infection deep in the groin. “When we’re in utero as embryos, our kidneys start lower in our body, and as the fetus grows, the kidneys ascend,” says Dr. Modlin. “They have that same nerve supply as some of the structures down in the groin.” You might think your testicles are the problem, for example, but if you have other UTI symptoms, your doctor will test for a kidney infection

Your smoking habit

Kidney cancer is most frequently caused by smoking, says Jason Abel, MD, urologic surgeon and member of the UW Carbone Cancer Center. Your risk is actually proportionate to how much you smoked, according to the American Cancer Society, and quitting is the only way to begin to lower these odds.

Subtle side pain

Occasionally, flank pain may be a sign of kidney cancer, says Dr. Abel. Persistent side pain that lingers and doesn’t go away should be checked out by your doctor. Don’t jump to conclusions and assume the worst: Here are some other conditions that can cause right-side abdominal pain and left-side pain.

Your blood pressure

Often called the silent killer because it produces no symptoms, high blood pressure is a known risk factor for heart and kidney disease. Here’s why: Uncontrolled high blood pressure clamps down on arteries around the kidneys, causing them to constrict and reducing blood flow, explains Deborah Clegg, PhD, a Professor of Biomedical Sciences in the Cedars-Sinai Division of General Internal Medicine and Department of Biomedical Sciences in Los Angeles. Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure and many don’t even know it. Blood pressure numbers higher than 120/80 mm Hg are considered suspect. “High blood pressure is a huge predictor of failing kidneys so keep on top of your blood pressure,” says Dr. Clegg. Here are 23 foods that can help lower your blood pressure.

Your salt-to-potassium balance

Sodium is regulated by your kidneys, and it helps control your body’s fluid balance, but too much may also be a risk factor for kidney disease in some people. It’s a complicated relationship, Dr. Clegg explains. Diets that are high in sodium tend to be low in potassium and it may be the ratio that is taxing your kidneys. Healthy kidneys flush excess sodium out in the urine, but this also removes potassium. “If potassium levels are low, the body tries to hold onto it, which also means holding onto sodium,” she says. Sodium encourages the body to pump more fluid into your circulation, and blood pressure climbs. “In some people, especially those with high blood pressure, heart failure, or impaired kidney function, the kidneys hang onto sodium no matter what, further complicating the picture,” she says. One way to flush sodium out of the body is by getting more potassium in your diet. Here are 10 foods higher in potassium than a banana.

Those with kidney disease should also be cautious of too much potassium in their diet, as it could result in a condition known as hyperkalemia, or elevated potassium levels. If not treated, people with severe hyperkalemia can be at risk for abnormal heart rhythms and even sudden death

Your weight

Obesity is also linked to kidney disease risk, Clegg says. “If you are overweight or obese, you are more likely to have high blood pressure or diabetes and this is a deadly triad for kidney health.” Losing weight at any age can be a challenge, but it seems a whole lot harder after 50. It’s not impossible though, especially if you follow these 50 expert-approved weight loss tips.

Your spare tire

Weight concentrated around your midsection—belly fat—may also place you at a greater risk for kidney disease, among other ills. “If you carry extra weight in your gut, fat cells may accumulate in and around your kidneys and interfere with their function,” Clegg says. Carrying excess weight in your belly also raises your risk for developing insulin resistance and diabetes—and these can up your risk for kidney disease. The good news

Not enough veggies on your plate
If your diet is heavy on red meat and animal proteins and low in fruits and veggies, your kidneys may be in jeopardy, Clegg says. The National Kidney Foundation recommends plant-based diets such as the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which is high in fiber, low in sodium, low in saturated fat and processed meats, and delivers numerous sources of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium. “Plant-based diets with more fruits and vegetables are more beneficial to your kidneys and overall health and can preserve kidney function by keeping blood pressure down and keeping blood sugar or glucose levels under control.”

Your aching back

Back pain can be a warning sign of kidney disease. “The pain is not in your mid- or lower back because that is not where your kidneys are,” Dr. Agarwal says. “Your kidneys are very close to your rib cage, so high back pain may be a symptom of kidney infection or a kidney stone.”

You drink too little water

Water helps remove waste from your bloodstream in the form of urine, but when you are dehydrated, there isn’t enough water to keep things flowing. Severe dehydration can lead to kidney damage via a buildup of wastes and acids in the body that can clog the kidney, and dehydration can also contribute to the formation of kidney stones, according to the National Kidney Foundation

You eat too much salt

The majority of salt in our diet comes from processed foods, not the salt shaker. Extra sodium and fluid buildup from overwhelmed kidneys can cause swollen ankles, puffiness, a rise in blood pressure, shortness of breath, and/or fluid around your heart and lungs, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Read food labels carefully and choose those foods low in sodium that contain 35 mg of sodium or less per serving.

You eat too much meat


High-protein diets are all the rage these days, and some of these eating plans encourage eating loads of animal protein—of any kind—while cutting back on carbs. But all that protein can raise the level of uric acid in your blood, and that can cause kidney stones. (Uric acid can also cause gout.) A high-protein diet also reduces levels of citrate, the chemical in urine that helps prevent stones from forming. “If you are healthy and eat a steak once in a while, it’s likely not an issue, but if you overdo it, it may affect your kidney function,” Dr. Agarwal says.

You overdo the potassium

Although the mineral can help prevent kidney disease, doubling down on potassium-rich foods (or supplements) spells trouble if you already have kidney disease. “Be very cautious about increasing potassium because it’s cleared by kidneys; if they aren’t working well, potassium can build up in the blood and cause problems,” says Dr. Agarwal.

You take muscle-building supplements

Many athletes and bodybuilders take creatine supplements to build muscle; just know that creatinine is a marker for kidney damage. People with kidney disorders should check with their doctors before taking these supplements, according to the Mayo Clinic. Watch out for these everyday habits that could be harming your kidneys.

You eat a lot of sugar

Continually high blood sugar—especially in people with poorly controlled diabetes—can damage the small blood vessels in your body, including the ones your kidneys depend upon to do their job, says Jaime Uribarri, MD, a Professor of Medicine at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Director of the Home Dialysis Program at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City

Missing your annual well visit

The two main causes of end-stage kidney disease are high blood pressure [and] diabetes,” says Dr. Uribarri. If you skip your annual physical, you likely won’t know if you are at risk for either of these conditions. “Fully 60 percent of people who are on dialysis [for their kidneys] are on it due to diabetes and hypertension.” Dialysis does your kidneys’ job by filtering your blood—either through a machine (hemodialysis) or through the infusion of fluids inside your gut (peritoneal dialysis).

Not taking diabetes seriously enough

Getting tight control over blood sugar can dramatically improve kidney health and function, Dr. Topf says. “We are seeing drops in the number of people starting dialysis due to diabetes; we’re really starting to turn the tide.” With simple diet and lifestyle changes, some people can drop their blood sugar levels back to a normal range.

Your swollen legs and ankles

Your kidney is tasked with eliminating fluid, says Dr. Uribarri. “If you have problems with your kidneys, you may have a tendency to retain fluid and see a buildup or swelling in legs and ankles and even your face and hands,” he says. “This swelling may be a marker of kidney problems or heart failure

Your lack of energy

Fatigue can be caused by many factors, and kidney disease is on the list, Dr. Topf says. Without properly functioning kidneys to monitor red blood cell counts, you can develop mild to severe anemia, which often leads to chronic fatigue. Other symptoms include feeling unusually cold, dizzy, or out of breath, so those could also be signs of kidney disease. “A decline in kidney function may be tied to energy levels, and sometimes we see a return of energy once we treat the underlying disease,”

Unusual rash or itchiness

Properly functioning kidneys remove waste from the bloodstream and keep the circulatory system equipped with the proper balance of nutrients and minerals. When something goes awry, it can impact your skin: Rashes and itchiness can be common signs of kidney disease. “This is usually a sign of advanced disease,” Dr. Topf says.

Metallic taste in your mouth

A buildup of toxins in the bloodstream as a result of poor kidney function could trigger a metallic taste in your mouth or foul breath. Some people report that their food begins to taste metallic. “This is more likely to occur with advanced kidney disease

Nausea or vomiting



Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock

If enough waste builds up in your body, you might experience nausea or vomiting. Nausea could also lead to a lack of appetite, which, if it occurs for an extended period of time, could cause abnormal weight loss.

Dizzy spells

An untreated kidney infection can spread to your bloodstream, wreaking havoc on your whole body. “That inflammation from the bacteria is causing your blood vessels to dilate, which makes the blood pressure drop and makes you dizzy,” says Dr. Ali

Dizzy spells

An untreated kidney infection can spread to your bloodstream, wreaking havoc on your whole body. “That inflammation from the bacteria is causing your blood vessels to dilate, which makes the blood pressure drop and makes you dizzy,” says Dr. Ali

You love drugstore painkillers

Overdoing it on over-the-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is no good for your kidneys. A study in JAMA Network Open found that active young and middle-aged adults who took the most NSAIDs each month had about a 20 percent increase in their risk for acute and chronic kidney disease. “Be conscious about how often you take these painkillers,” Dr. Topf says. Talk to your doctor as there may be other ways to treat your pain without sacrificing your kidney function. L

Your lack of follow-up

If there is blood detected in your urine and you are treated for a kidney infection, get re-tested after the infection clears to make sure you’re truly better, Dr. Topf says. An untreated—or under-treated—infection can lead to serious kidney damage and long-term problems.

Not finding out what’s really wrong

“Saying a person has chronic kidney disease is only half of the story as it doesn’t talk about the cause,” Dr. Topf says. He means that heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even autoimmune diseases like lupus can all damage your kidneys: Without knowing the root cause of your kidney trouble, you can’t effectively treat the problem.

Your super stressful life

Sure, we all get stressed out, but letting stress get the better of you can hurt your kidneys (not to mention wreck your health in numerous other ways). Stress can increase blood pressure—a risk for kidney disease—and it can also lead to other unhealthy behaviors like smoking and eating high-fat or high-sugar comfort foods, according to the National Kidney Foundation

Your lack of sleep

In a study out of Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, women who slept five hours or less a night were two-thirds more likely to suffer a rapid decline in kidney function, compared with women sleeping seven to eight hours a night. So far this is only a link—it’s not clear that poor sleep caused the kidney trouble—but poor sleep has been linked to diabetes and high blood pressure, the two main causes of kidney disease.

Your sugary soda habit

African-Americans who drank the most sweetened drinks (sugary sodas, juices, and waters) had a 61 percent higher likelihood of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD),

Your heartburn meds

People who took proton pump inhibitors for heartburn and acid reflux were more likely to develop kidney disease than people who took other forms of antacids such as histamine-2 receptor antagonists, a study shows. Exactly how these drugs may increase this risk is not fully understood, says the National Kidney Foundation, but the group notes that the drugs can cause an allergic reaction that leads to swelling inside your kidney (called acute interstitial nephritis). If caught early, the condition can be treated.

The best way to get ahead of kidney disease is to know your risks, says Dr. Agarwal. In addition to a history of high blood pressure and/or diabetes, other risk factors for kidney disease include advancing age, ethnicity (African-Americans and Native Americans are considered higher risk), a structural kidney disease such as polycystic kidneys, and being born with a low birth weight.

Too many bad air days

University of Michigan study suggests that air pollution can fuel chronic kidney disease. “Similar to smoking, air pollution contains harmful toxins that can directly affect the kidneys,” says study author Jennifer Bragg-Gresham, MS, PhD, a Michigan Medicine epidemiologist, in a news release. Fine particulate matter can lead to serious health effects including kidney disease when inhaled often. In addition, air pollution contains heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium—all of which can harm the kidneys, the study authors point out. Learn more about what air pollution can do to your health, and make sure you’re watching out for these hidden signs of kidney cancer you’re likely to ignore

The importance of stress relief

Stress is a fact of life, but being stressed out is not. We don’t always have control over what happens to us, says Allen Elkin, PhD, director of the Stress Management Counseling Center in New York City. Yet, that doesn’t mean we have to react to a difficult situation by becoming frazzled or feeling overwhelmed or distraught. Being overly anxious is not just a mental hazard; it’s a physical one too, with damaging effects to the brain and the rest of the body. The more stressed out we are, the more vulnerable we are to colds, flu, and a host of chronic or life-threatening illnesses—and the less open we are to the beauty and pleasure of life

Một chén gạo dưỡng ơn, một đấu gạo nuôi thù” kỳ thực là ý chỉ rằng nếu bạn giúp ai đó một việc dù rất nhỏ trong lúc nguy cấp, họ sẽ vô cùng cảm kích bạn. Thế nhưng nếu sau khi họ có thể tự làm được mà bạn vẫn tiếp tục giúp thì bỗng nhiên một lần nào đó bạn không giúp họ, có thể họ sẽ ghi hận với bạn.




Câu chuyện dưới đây sẽ giúp chúng ta hiểu rõ điều này:

Trước đây, có hai người hàng xóm, một người thì gia đình khá giàu có, người kia thì gia đình lại khá nghèo.

Hai gia đình này vốn không có ân oán gì, thường ngày quan hệ của họ rất tốt. Thế nhưng, có một năm, ông trời nổi cơn thịnh nộ, giáng xuống một trận thiên tai khiến ruộng đồng thất thu, mùa màng thất bát. Gia đình nghèo nọ không có thu hoạch, lại cũng không có dự trữ, không có gì ăn, họ đành nằm chờ chết. Lúc này, nhà giàu kia đã mua rất nhiều lương thực, họ nghĩ đến tình cảnh của nhà hàng xóm, bèn mang một thưng gạo cho họ để cứu nguy.


Gia đình nghèo kia vô cùng cảm kích, cho rằng đây chính là ân nhân cứu mạng. Sau khi qua khoảng thời gian khó khăn nhất, gia đình nghèo đến bày tỏ lòng cảm ơn đối với nhà giàu.

Khi hai nhà trò chuyện, họ nói đến việc chưa có hạt giống cho năm sau, nhà giàu bèn hào phóng tặng một đấu thóc để làm hạt giống. Gia đình nghèo lại hết lời cảm ơn rồi mang đấu thóc về nhà.


Về đến nhà, anh em nhà nghèo lại nói rằng: một đấu thóc này thì làm được gì chứ, ngoài ăn ra thì vốn dĩ không đủ để năm sau trồng, nhà giàu này quá đáng thật, lắm tiền như thế thì nên cho nhiều lương thực và tiền, chứ cho có một chút thế này thật quá là tệ.


Những lời này truyền đến tai nhà giàu kia khiến họ rất tức giận, họ nghĩ rằng mình đã tặng nhiều lương thực không công như thế, chẳng những không cảm ơn mà còn đố kỵ xem mình như kẻ thù, thật đúng “chẳng phải là người”.

Thế là, vốn dĩ quan hệ của hai gia đình rất tốt, từ đó trở thành kẻ thù của nhau.


Câu chuyện “Một chén gạo dưỡng ơn, một đấu gạo nuôi thù” này có ý nghĩa rằng khi việc ‘cho đi’ trở thành một thói quen thì rồi sẽ thành trách nhiệm không thể chối bỏ được. Có câu nói rằng: Dục vọng giống như nước biển vậy, uống càng nhiều sẽ càng khát. Dục vọng, ham muốn thật ra chính là vết ngứa trong tâm hồn bạn. Đau còn có thể nhịn được, còn ngứa thù thì càng gãi sẽ càng ngứa!


Ngọc Trúc

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