Prof. Kamil Dilek

Kidney diseases can progress without symptoms for a long time. Therefore, evaluation usually begins with routine examinations. Measurement of creatinine in the blood and the filtration rate calculated from this give the first information about the working capacity of the kidney.

Urine examination is at least as important. The presence of protein or blood in the urine may be a sign of a problem in the kidney tissue, even before the blood tests are negative.

When deemed necessary, the size and structure of the kidneys are examined with ultrasound. Blood pressure monitoring is also part of the evaluation. The results are interpreted by looking at the course over time, not a one-time measurement.

Blood pressure and kidneys mutually influence each other. High blood pressure that is not controlled for a long time can wear out the small vessels in the kidneys. Conversely, kidney disease can also lead to increased blood pressure.

For this reason, blood pressure targets are determined separately and monitored regularly in patients with kidney disease. The presence of protein in the urine is one of the indicators of both kidney damage and the adequacy of treatment.

Reducing salt consumption, weight control and regular physical activity are essential parts of treatment. It is also recommended to avoid long-term and uncontrolled use of some medications, such as painkillers.

Diabetes is one of the leading conditions that can cause kidney functions to decrease over time. Since the process proceeds silently, monitoring is done without waiting for any symptoms.

Two topics stand out in the follow-up: measuring protein excretion in the urine and monitoring the filtration rate calculated from blood creatinine. The course of these two values ​​over time indicates whether preventive treatment is sufficient or not.

Keeping blood sugar and blood pressure at target values ​​is the basis of the preventive approach. Additionally, it is reviewed whether the medications used require dosage adjustment according to renal function. The use of contrast material before imaging is also evaluated.