The kidneys play a very important role in our body. Let me first tell you about their size. You can think of them as looking like kidney beans. As you all know, there are two of them, located on either side of the body. They measure about 5 cm in width, 10 to 12 cm in length, and about 3 cm in thickness. Their weight is around 150 grams. The kidneys are located roughly where you might feel back pain. It's worth noting that the right kidney is positioned slightly lower than the left, due to the presence of the liver pushing it down. The interior of the kidney, which resembles a kidney bean, is made up of many filters. There are about a million nephrons that help filter waste products from the blood in the body.

The kidneys filter substances and send them down to the bladder to be excreted as urine. They also help reabsorb essential components back into the body. Approximately 150 liters of blood are filtered daily. The kidneys perform six main functions. 

First, they remove metabolic waste products. Second, they regulate the amount of salt, or sodium, in the body, which helps control bodily fluids. Third, they maintain the balance of electrolytes, acids, and bases in the blood and bodily fluids. The roles of the second and third functions combine to help regulate blood pressure. Since blood pressure is influenced by these functions, taking blood pressure medication also affects kidney function. 

Fifth, the kidneys impact calcium absorption in the body. Lastly, they assist in the process of blood formation.

The kidneys are known to be organs that recover well, but why do we also hear that once they are damaged, they cannot be repaired? All organs fundamentally have the ability to self-repair, but when they are subjected to a load beyond a certain level, they can become damaged, leading to problems. People are particularly concerned about the medications they take, and there are three main causes that can easily lead to kidney damage. The first is diabetic nephropathy, which can occur due to diabetes. The second is hypertensive kidney disease. Lastly, the third is chronic glomerulonephritis, where chronic inflammation of the glomeruli can lead to damage. 

When we talk about diabetic nephropathy, diabetes causes changes in blood flow, relaxing the blood vessels in the kidneys and increasing the filtration capacity of the glomeruli. This can lead to...

The blood vessels are repeatedly damaged, and the basement membranes in the kidneys thicken, leading to injury. In the case of hypertension, as blood pressure increases, the pressure on the filters also rises. If this happens repeatedly, it can damage kidney function. Finally, concerning the glomeruli, there are abnormalities in immune function. Inflammation can occur in the body, or it may become infected due to toxic substances, among other reasons. Ultimately, these three factors do not cause immediate problems for the kidneys; rather, they provide consistent stimulation over the long term, leading to damage. Once the damage occurs, it needs to be repaired, but due to continuous stimulation from high blood pressure, diabetes, and inflammation, there is no opportunity for healing. There is also a reason why the kidneys tend to deteriorate: the glomerular filtration rate decreases, which can be noticeable.

You might think that it takes a long time to confirm that there is a problem, but if we discover it early, we can help the kidneys improve by being cautious. However, by the time we find it, the kidneys have often already lost their function, which makes it difficult to fix. It seems best to detect any issues as early as possible before damage occurs. When symptoms appear in my body, what are the early signs that should raise suspicion of kidney disease? Also, what do you think is the number one food that damages the kidneys? You just asked about the early symptoms, and as I mentioned earlier, detection is difficult. When symptoms appear, it means that the kidneys are already damaged, so it's best to be cautious. The most common early symptoms can include, first...

Weight gain, swelling in the feet and ankles, and swelling in the hands can occur, along with symptoms such as itching and fatigue. The reason for mentioning the feet and ankles is that there is a slight difference between swelling in the entire leg and swelling in the foot itself. Issues related to lymph circulation or varicose veins can mix with circulatory disorders in the lower limbs, so other symptoms should also be present. If only the feet are swollen, there is no need to worry too much about the kidneys. 

Secondly, nocturia may occur, which means waking up at night frequently to urinate or experiencing a sudden increase in urine volume followed by a sharp decrease. If the color of the urine has changed to a cola-like color, this indicates a potential kidney issue. 

Thirdly, if the kidneys start to fail and cannot properly manage normal acid-base metabolism or mineral metabolism, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, swelling, or cramps may appear.

You asked for the number one worst food that can damage the kidneys. If we talk about the top cause, it is medication. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antibiotics are the leading culprits. For those over 65 years old, or those with a history of gastrointestinal issues, high blood pressure, or liver problems, it is essential to be very cautious with the use of antibiotics and NSAIDs. Of course, taking them for a week or two when you're sick is not a problem. However, taking them for three to four months continuously is something you need to be clearly careful about. Sometimes, people ask if traditional herbal medicine is okay. There are herbal ingredients like Deungchi and Gwanmoktong, which are not actually herbal medicines. They are listed as substances that should not be used clearly in herbal medicine. However, many people take them on their own without proper guidance. There are cases where people use medications that are known to promote lactation.

When we were learning at school, we often heard that if you confuse the real thing with a fake, your kidneys could be severely damaged. The professor repeated this five times, emphasizing that we must memorize the differences. When we were young, we saw that the fake product looked exactly like the real one. The fake product, called Tongcho, is still circulating in the market. When you go to the market, you'll see people selling it as Tongcho. However, these items do not look like the real thing; they resemble wood instead. Consuming this can definitely harm your kidneys. If you take it for a month, you can expect to have kidney issues 100%. It is essential to check whether the herbal medicine you are taking is certified by a doctor, a traditional medicine clinic, or the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety as a pharmaceutical product. Do not take something just because it seems good. For husbands who drink a lot, what is the famous herbal medicine they take to help with hangovers? It's the Heotgae tree, right? Yes, that Heotgae tree is a substitute medicine.

Eating can be bad for the liver, so it's important to know the appropriate dosage and duration to avoid harming the kidneys or liver. When discussing beneficial herbs, it's best not to take them alone; always consult a professional for safe consumption. To maintain healthy kidneys as you age, there are three essential things to keep in mind. It's simple: avoid high blood pressure, prevent diabetes, and refrain from overeating. Additionally, when you're in pain, try not to rely solely on painkillers; instead, manage your condition through various treatments to avoid needing medication. When advised by a doctor to regulate salt and calcium intake, it's crucial to follow those recommendations. If you've heard about a low-potassium diet, you should reduce foods like bananas, spinach, oranges, and tomatoes. Instead, it would be beneficial to increase your intake of foods low in potassium, such as apples, strawberries, and grapes. Today, we learned about the kidneys.

It is difficult to reverse diseases once they occur, so please be careful. I hope today's content has been helpful for your health. Thank you.

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