'I am young, I am healthy, how can I have kidney failure?'

A concerning trend is emerging in Vietnam, with a significant increase in chronic kidney disease among individuals under 40. This challenges the common perception that kidney failure primarily affects the elderly or those with long-standing underlying health conditions.

Doctors at Bach Mai Hospital report that seeing young students and healthy individuals on dialysis is no longer rare. Dr. Vu Thi Anh explains that early-stage kidney disease often progresses silently because the kidneys can function adequately even at 20-30% capacity. Consequently, many patients only discover their condition in advanced stages.

"Don't wait until you have difficulty breathing or cannot urinate to get checked. Pay attention to small changes in your body, as your kidneys are sending warning signals through easily ignored signs," advises Dr. Anh. Key indicators include persistent foamy urine, dark or bloody urine, swollen eyelids or legs, high blood pressure in young people, and prolonged fatigue or paleness due to anemia.

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Don't wait until you have difficulty breathing or cannot urinate to get checked. Pay attention to small changes in your body, as your kidneys are sending warning signals through easily ignored signs.

Doctors attribute the rise in kidney disease among youth to unhealthy lifestyle choices. These include the self-medication with painkillers, anti-inflammatories, traditional remedies, or unverified supplements. Additionally, poor dietary habits like excessive salt consumption, reliance on sugary drinks, chronic sleep deprivation, and sedentary lifestyles leading to obesity are major contributing factors. Many young people also neglect underlying conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, failing to manage them effectively, which further increases the risk of kidney damage over time.

Dr. Anh emphasizes that while kidney failure is a difficult journey, its progression can be slowed with early detection. "A simple urine test and blood creatinine level can sometimes create the boundary between a normal life and a life dependent on hospitals and dialysis machines," she stated. The medical community recommends regular kidney function screenings for individuals with hypertension, diabetes, those who are overweight or obese, have a family history of kidney disease, or experience symptoms like swelling, unusual urine, or persistent fatigue.

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A simple urine test and blood creatinine level can sometimes create the boundary between a normal life and a life dependent on hospitals and dialysis machines.