Kidney Consultant Warns: Chronic Kidney Failure Is a Silent Thief That Steals Your Health Without Symptoms

2026-07-03T20:37:13.870Z

Professor and Consultant of Nephrology at King Abdulaziz University, Professor Saad Al-Shaib, warned that chronic kidney failure can develop silently until a 50% loss of kidney function without symptoms, stressing that lack of sleep, fast food rich in sodium, poor lifestyle, excessive use of painkillers and the dangerous 'triple whammy' drug combination accelerate deterioration, and that the...

Professor and Consultant of Nephrology at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Professor Saad Al-Shaib, warned of the danger of chronic kidney failure, describing it as a 'silent thief' that can develop for years without clear symptoms, stressing that lack of sleep, excessive consumption of processed foods and fast food, poor lifestyle, and overuse of painkillers are among the most prominent factors that accelerate the deterioration of kidney function and increase the risk of reaching dialysis.

Half of Kidney Function May Be Lost Silently

Al-Shaib explained via his account on platform 'X' that a patient may lose approximately 50% of kidney function before feeling any symptoms, calling for not waiting for the appearance of disease signs and performing periodic tests including estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, as well as blood creatinine and urea tests every six months for the most at-risk groups, stressing that early detection provides greater treatment opportunities and delays the need for dialysis.

Most At-Risk Groups

Al-Shaib indicated that periodic examination is a necessity for patients with diabetes and high blood pressure, those with a family history of kidney disease, in addition to those over sixty years old, noting that the urine microalbumin test is one of the best early indicators of kidney health and detecting nephropathy before it progresses.

30 Minutes of Exercise Reduces Risk of Deterioration by More Than 20%

Al-Shaib affirmed that regular physical activity represents one of the most important preventive measures, explaining that exercising 30 minutes daily reduces the risk of declining kidney function by more than 20% according to major studies, by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing chronic inflammation. He added that starting exercise at a young age provides cumulative benefit for maintaining kidney functional reserve, but starting at any age is still beneficial, stressing that 'the best time to start is now'.

Lack of Sleep.. An Independent Risk Factor

The kidney consultant warned that sleeping less than six hours a day on a regular basis is not just a cause of fatigue, but is an independent risk factor for deteriorating kidney function, due to its association with nighttime high blood pressure and increased albumin excretion in urine. He pointed out that undiagnosed sleep apnea contributes to accelerating this deterioration due to repeated oxygen deprivation and activation of the sympathetic nervous system, in addition to that chronic sleep deprivation raises the likelihood of developing high blood pressure and diabetes, the two main causes of chronic kidney failure.

Fast Food.. The Largest Source of Sodium

On the nutrition side, Al-Shaib explained that the largest source of sodium is not the salt added during cooking, but processed foods and fast foods such as ready-made bread, canned goods, processed cheeses, processed meats, and instant noodles, as a single meal may contain an amount of sodium that exceeds the entire daily requirement. He noted that the World Health Organization recommends that an individual's consumption should not exceed five grams of salt per day, pointing out that about 75% of the sodium consumed by humans comes from processed foods.

Painkillers.. Temporary Relief and Accumulated Damage

Al-Shaib warned against excessive use of painkillers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), explaining that they inhibit prostaglandin substances responsible for maintaining blood flow to the kidneys, which may lead to a sudden decrease in glomerular filtration and acute kidney injury, especially in those with dehydration, the elderly, or those with pre-existing weak kidney function. He added that chronic use may lead to chronic interstitial nephritis and papillary necrosis, conditions that develop silently because the kidney does not show symptoms until after losing a significant part of its function.

The 'Triple Whammy'.. A Drug Combination Requiring Caution

Al-Shaib pointed out that the risk multiplies when combining painkillers with blood pressure medications from ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers with diuretics, medically known as the 'Triple Whammy', a common combination in the elderly that may lead to rapid deterioration of kidney function if not used under medical supervision. He affirmed that awareness does not mean complete abstinence from painkillers, but using them at the lowest possible dose and for the shortest duration with adequate water intake and periodic monitoring of kidney function.

Preventive Messages to Maintain Kidney Health

Al-Shaib concluded by emphasizing that prevention begins with lifestyle changes, calling for drinking about eight glasses of water daily, reducing salt and sugar intake, limiting processed foods and fast foods, avoiding excessive use of painkillers, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising 30 minutes daily, and getting enough sleep, stressing that healthy kidneys are the basis for a long healthy life, and that prevention and early detection remain the most important weapons against chronic kidney failure.