Can you prevent renal cysts? Renal cysts are small fluid-filled sacs that occur in the kidneys. In most cases, they are harmless and don’t affect kidney function. But sometimes, it can affect kidney function and increase the risk of other complications. To prevent risks and keep your kidneys healthy, there are several strategies you can follow to prevent them. Learn lifestyle changes and dietary tips to keep your kidney healthy and prevent renal cysts in this article. If you want to know more about renal cyst symptoms and treatment, visit us at Doral Health and Wellness Urology Center and consult with the best nephrologists and urologists in East New York.

Prevention tips to manage renal cysts and kidney health

While there is no direct method to prevent renal cysts, maintaining good kidney health can prevent/lower the risk of renal cysts development. Here are some lifestyle changes you should follow to maintain good kidney health:

1. Drink plenty of water:

Drinking an adequate amount of water can help your kidneys work properly and prevent urinary tract infections. You can consult with your healthcare provider about how much water you should drink every day along with other drinks. You should also ask whether to limit or avoid alcohol because it may damage your kidneys.

2. Manage health conditions:

Certain chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can damage your kidneys and increase the risk of cysts. So, you should manage them properly with medications and lifestyle changes to maintain good kidney health.

3. Quit smoking:

Smoking may narrow blood vessels in your kidneys and raise your blood pressure, and over time can damage your kidneys or increase the risk of cysts. So, take the help of your healthcare provider to find rehabs that can help you quit smoking. Even if you use E-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco it still contains nicotine. So, it’s important that you quit smoking and keep your kidneys and lungs healthy.

4. Exercise regularly:

Staying physically active is good for kidney health and prevents kidney diseases like polycystic kidney disease (PKD) which can cause renal cysts. However, some exercises and contact sports can be harmful to the kidneys. So, you need to ask what exercises are good for kidney health. Always remember during workouts, don’t let yourself get dehydrated by making sure to have frequent water intake.

5. Add citrus fruits to your diet:

According to a study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, scientists have discovered that a component found in grapefruit and other citrus fruits may successfully block the development of renal cysts.

The component is called naringenin, which can regulate PKD2 protein, which is found in polycystic kidney disease, and block the formation of cysts. Scientists could use this component to develop new drugs to treat polycystic kidney disease.

6. Diet changes:

While there is no specific diet to prevent cysts from developing, especially with PKD. But some diet changes can allow the patient to keep their kidney healthy and manage their blood pressure, including:

• Limit your salt intake to 1500 mg per day to manage your blood pressure.
• Start eating plant-based proteins instead of animal-based proteins.
• Avoid saturated fat by replacing it with monounsaturated fat.
• Eat foods that are lower in potassium and phosphorus.
• Avoid caffeine beverages.

You should speak with your doctor or a dietitian to find out what changes you should make in your diet to support good kidneys or overall health.

7. Medication changes:

Some over-the-counter pain medications can be harmful to your kidney health if you have a kidney disease. So, consult about your medication first. If you have autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPFD), then you can take a new drug called tolvaptan which can slow kidney function decline in adults. You should speak with your healthcare professional to learn more about this treatment to see if it’s right for you or not.

Preventing renal cysts is not possible but with the above-mentioned lifestyle changes you can reduce its development and keep your kidney healthy. These changes can also prevent kidney diseases that cause cysts like PKD, ADPKD, etc.

If you need help with your renal cysts, visit our nephrology clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment or for inquiries! At Doral Health and Wellness Urology Center, our team of urologists will work with you in managing your disease and your quality of life. We also offer services, such as renal and bladder ultrasound. To schedule an appointment, please visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212 or call 1-347-384-5690. You can also visit our website at https://www.urologistbrooklyn.com/.