"Check Your Urine After Using the Bathroom if Youre Over 40: A Guide to Assessing Your Kidney Health Through Urinalysis"

Global Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients and Renal Disease Awareness

In 2016, there were nearly 3 million patients worldwide undergoing maintenance hemodialysis, with approximately 500,000 of them residing in China, including Beijing, where the prevalence of chronic kidney disease remains high. Experts emphasize that urine tests are the simplest and most effective method to monitor kidney health, and every adult should undergo a urine test annually.

Threats Posed by Kidney Disease

1. Acute nephritis typically follows an acute course and, if treated early, can often be resolved completely. However, even after successful treatment, it may impact the patient's daily life and work during the acute phase. Should there be any progression or severe complications like hypertensive encephalopathy, the condition can become life-threatening.

2. Chronic nephritis, on the other hand, is characterized by a longer disease course and poses greater challenges in treatment. While patients may not experience significant discomfort initially, the condition progresses slowly and can deteriorate over time. If it progresses to uremia, it becomes life-threatening.

Early Detection of Kidney Disease through Urine Analysis

Monitoring urine volume and color changes can aid in early detection of kidney problems. After urinating, it is advisable to check for abnormalities. Common signs of abnormal urination include:

1. Persistent foam in urine for over half an hour, indicating high protein excretion.

2. Abnormal urine color, such as dark brown, soy sauce-like, or cloudy like rice water.

3. Sudden and significant changes in urine output despite consistent fluid intake.

4. Frequent nocturia in individuals under 60 years old.

Kidney Disease Examinations: Urinalysis, B-ultrasound, and Biopsy

Annual urinalysis is crucial for everyone. Contrary to common misconceptions, urinalysis is more reliable than blood tests in detecting early kidney damage, as it monitors changes in urinary red blood cells and protein, which are early indicators of kidney injury. B-ultrasound helps identify kidney stones and congenital polycystic kidney disease. Although some individuals may not feel pain during ureteral obstruction, regular abdominal B-ultrasound can aid in early detection of kidney stones.

Characteristics and Trends of Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease is characterized by "three highs and three lows": high cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality rates; low awareness, prevention, and control rates in society; and low awareness of cardiovascular disease risks. Moreover, the incidence of chronic kidney disease is increasingly observed in younger age groups, with some uremia patients as young as their twenties, thirties, or even teens.

Management and Treatment of Renal Patients

Patients with kidney disease, especially those in end-stage renal disease, must prioritize preserving their remaining renal function and actively engage with medical professionals in their treatment plans.