Protect Your Kidneys: Why Younger Indians Must Pay Attention to Kidney Health

Protect Your Kidneys: Why Younger Indians Must Pay Attention to Kidney Health

Amritsar, 10 March, 2026: Kidney disease, once largely associated with older adults, is now increasingly being diagnosed in people in their late twenties, thirties, and early forties across India.

Dr. Gaurav Singla, Consultant, Nephrology, Dr. Fayaz Ahmad Wani, Consultant, Nephrology, Dr. Sagar Sabharwal, Additional Director, Urology and Dr. Manbir Singh, Consultant, Urology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Amritsar share causes, symptoms and prevention tips for good kidney health.

Causes:

1. Sedentary lifestyles, high stress levels, and the widespread consumption of processed foods rich in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats are contributing significantly to these conditions. Excess salt intake, in particular, can elevate blood pressure, which over time damages the delicate blood vessels in the kidneys and reduces their ability to filter waste effectively.

2. Regular consumption of painkillers for headaches, muscle pain, or sports injuries can gradually impair kidney function.

3. High-protein or herbal supplements, often taken without guidance, may put unnecessary strain on the kidneys.

4. Dehydration—common among individuals with long working hours, hectic travel schedules, and inadequate water intake—can further burden the kidneys, forcing them to work harder to maintain fluid balance.

Symptoms:

One of the challenges with kidney disease is that it often progresses silently. Early stages typically show no noticeable symptoms. By the time warning signs such as swelling in the legs, fatigue, nausea, or changes in urination appear, significant kidney damage may already have occurred. This makes early screening extremely important, especially for individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, or a family history of kidney disease.

Prevention:

1. Routine kidney screening is particularly essential for high-risk groups. People with diabetes or hypertension are especially vulnerable, as prolonged high blood sugar or blood pressure can damage the kidney’s filtering units. Individuals above the age of 50 and those with a family history of kidney disease should also undergo periodic screening to detect any early changes in kidney function.

2. Screening for kidney disease is simple and accessible. Basic tests such as a blood test for creatinine, estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and a urine test to detect protein can help identify early signs of kidney damage. Detecting the condition early allows doctors to intervene with lifestyle changes and appropriate treatment to slow or even prevent disease progression.

3. Maintaining kidney health largely depends on healthy daily habits. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, consuming a balanced diet with limited salt intake, drinking adequate water, and avoiding unnecessary medications can go a long way in protecting kidney function. Managing diabetes and blood pressure effectively is equally crucial.

Advanced kidney disease may require dialysis or kidney transplantation—complex treatments that significantly impact a patient’s quality of life. Preventing the disease from reaching this stage is therefore beneficial not only for individuals but also for the healthcare system.