Take a history of kidney disease during a general physical examination

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The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Ho Viet Le Diem - General Internal Medicine - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
The kidneys are an important organ, playing a role in filtering blood, removing water and harmful substances, and participating in all metabolic processes inside the body. Taking a history of kidney disease during a general physical examination makes a lot of sense, especially in middle-aged subjects or those with associated medical risks.

1. What is the history of kidney disease during the general physical examination?

The kidneys in the human body are two bean-shaped organs located in the hip region. Each kidney is about the size of a fist. Kidneys filter the blood and remove water and waste products from the blood to make urine. In addition, the kidney also has a hematopoietic function and participates in the regulation of homeostasis. People with kidney disease or a history of kidney disease mean that the kidneys have been damaged acutely or chronically, no longer ensuring these functions.
Information surrounding the patient's reason for visiting is essential to help determine the extent and stage of the disease. The risk of kidney disease is higher if the person has a history of diabetes , high blood pressure or an autoimmune disease . If a person already has a history of kidney disease and has kidney failure, treatments include a kidney transplant or dialysis.
In addition, other kidney problems should also be collected in the kidney disease history including acute kidney injury, kidney cysts, kidney stones, and kidney infections.
Before patients with a history of kidney disease, during routine physical examination, common signs of kidney disease such as hypertension, leg edema, oliguria, hematuria, cloudy urine, dyspnoea, chest pain are paralysis. key list in the screening report. In addition, information related to the patient's life such as previous physical examination, previous tests such as kidney failure screening tests, previous kidney function tests, cholesterol levels, glucose levels Blood pressure, blood pressure values, smoking habits or drug use should also be recorded. At the same time, if there is a family member with kidney disease, inherited kidney diseases need to be detected early, which may require specialized tests and interventions including kidney biopsy, through which early diagnosis and prevention of true kidney damage.

2. What is the significance of taking a history of kidney disease during a general physical examination?

Kidney disease is diagnosed initially with blood tests to measure kidney function and an ultrasound of the kidneys. People who have signs of kidney disease and go to medical facilities to see the disease have advanced stages. Thus, the role of general health examination is to help detect disease early when there are no symptoms at all. Even when the disease is at a late stage, at the receiving point of general health examination, the doctor also needs to make an accurate assessment to ensure that the patient can detect complications due to impaired kidney function early and receive the correct diagnosis. timely adjustment.
To do this, the doctor needs to know how to take a complete and thorough history of kidney disease, focusing on the etiology and the treatment to date. Thereby, the doctor will continue with the next steps, including examining the kidneys, looking for signs of kidney disease, appointing a screening test for kidney failure and appropriate treatment, especially intervening the etiology that affects the kidneys. .
In case of suspicion of hereditary kidney diseases, the doctor must also consult the kidney function test, kidney structure ultrasound for other family members, proactively prevent kidney disease. progress to the final stage.

3. What information should be collected in taking a history of kidney disease?

Administrative information and contact information:
Full name, age, gender Occupation – Economic condition Educational status Marital status Current address Physical status:
Current signs and symptoms Symptoms felt and described in detail by the patient, such as hypertension, leg edema, oliguria, hematuria, cloudy urine, dyspnea, chest pain, hip pain Information on medications, allergies, lifestyle and habits such as smoking, alcohol Personal history:
Previous illnesses: generalized edema, nephrotic syndrome, acute kidney injury, dialysis, kidney stones... and other medical conditions related to the kidney such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, lupus, polycystic kidney disease ... Surgery or hospitalization, including AVM surgery, prepare to run Artificial kidney Drugs commonly used: Cardiovascular drugs: Beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, statins, antiplatelets, anticoagulants, nitrates... Hypoglycemic drugs Non-prescription drugs as simple as NSAIDS or aspirin Herbal Immunization regimen Family history:
Relatives had kidney disease at a young age: Lupus nephritis, polycystic kidney disease...

4. Periodic general health check-up at Vinmec

As the material life and level of knowledge are constantly improving, regular health check-ups are essential for everyone to have the opportunity to live longer and live healthier. By proactively going for a general health check-up even before there are any abnormal signs, through visiting, examining and performing screening tests, doctors can help identify signs and symptoms. early warning signal. Especially in kidney diseases, signs of kidney disease are generally quite vague and non-specific. If detected at an early stage, treatment can be more effective, more successful, and proactive in preventing events.
Vinmec International General Hospital system deploys general health checkup packages and performs paraclinical tests suitable for each subject. Customers will be directly taken by the doctor to take personal and family medical history, measure blood pressure, body mass index, physical examination, perform screening tests as well as advice in each situation.
With a team of professional, highly qualified and experienced doctors, modern facilities, advanced testing machinery system, the periodic health check-up at Vinmec deserves to be an address. Reliable, world-class quality medical care for everyone and every family.
Doctor Ho Viet Le Diem has more than 10 years working in the Department of Resuscitation - Cardiac Surgery at Cho Ruong Hospital with the position of cardiologist and Open Heart Resuscitation. And has more than 03 years as a General Internal Medicine doctor at Family Medical Practice in Ho Chi Minh City. Currently, Dr. Diem is working at the Internal Medicine Department - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

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