Sometimes the food you eat or the behavior you exhibit can be a sign of a deficiency and condition you may have. It is similar to when your stomach growls, which signifies that you are hungry. Other signs you may not know about are feeling fatigued when you do not drink enough water, and if you are experiencing a headache then you may need to eat etc. These things happen because they are connected in one way or the other, when you body lacks a specific nutrient you need throughout your day, it can manifest in different ways, let’s take iron for example.

Iron is like the delivery truck for oxygen in your body. It helps your red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to all your tissues. The Red Cross Blood Donation explains that when you don't have enough iron, your body can't make enough of these oxygen-carrying cells. This is called iron deficiency, and it can lead to anemia. You might feel very tired, look pale, or get dizzy easily. Headaches, cold hands and feet, and weak hair and nails are also common signs. Because iron is so vital for many of your body's functions, a lack of it can really affect your overall health and energy levels. It's important to recognize these signs and get checked by a doctor if you suspect you might have an iron deficiency.

What is Pagophagia and Pica?

Sometimes, your body sends strange signals when it's missing something important. One unusual signal for iron deficiency is wanting to eat ice, which doctors call pagophagia. This is part of a bigger problem called pica, where people crave things that aren't food. Other examples of pica are wanting to eat dirt, clay, or even starch. It's not just these things; some people crave things like coal, chalk, paper, or hair. While kids get pica more often, adults with low iron can have it too, even if they don't have anaemia. This weird craving is your body's way of trying to tell you something's wrong, even if it seems odd.

Eating things that aren't food can be risky. For example, eating dirt could expose you to harmful germs or heavy metals. Eating large amounts of ice might not seem dangerous, but it can sometimes hurt your teeth or gums. Ingesting non-food items can lead to serious problems like poisoning, where harmful substances build up in your body. It can also cause blockages in your intestines, which can be very painful and dangerous. Symptoms like stomach pain, bloating, feeling very tired, nausea, and diarrhea can signal that something is wrong. If you find yourself constantly wanting to eat ice or other non-food items, it's really important to talk to a doctor. They can help figure out why you're having these cravings and make sure you stay safe.

How Can You Make This Better?

If you're craving ice or other non-food items, it's important to see a doctor. They'll ask about your symptoms and might do some blood tests to check your iron levels. It's possible that your cravings are caused by iron deficiency, but they could also be related to other nutritional deficiencies or even emotional problems. Things like stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or developmental issues can sometimes cause pica. The doctor will try to figure out the root cause of your cravings. If it's an iron deficiency, they might suggest taking iron supplements or changing your diet. If it's an emotional issue, they might recommend talking to a therapist. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment is important for your health and well-being.

While once considered an old-age disease, experts are now seeing kidney damage in people in their 30s and 40s. The prevalence of CKD in India has jumped significantly, moving from about 11 percent from 2011-17 to over 16 percent from 2018-23 among those aged 15 and above.

Kidneys are remarkably efficient that they can lose a vast majority of their function without causing any pain or noticeable symptoms. By the time physical warning signs such as foot swelling or fatigue appear, the underlying damage has already reached an advanced stage.

What Factors Are Contributing To Kidney Damage In Younger People

• Obesity: Obesity causes kidney disease by forcing the kidneys to overwork (hyperfiltration) to meet the metabolic demands of increased body mass, leading to structural damage. In addition, excess fat causes chronic inflammation, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance, which together damage kidney filters (glomeruli), resulting in protein leakage (albuminuria) and progressive scarring.
• Diabetes And Hypertension: Diabetes damages small blood vessels, causing hypertension (high blood pressure). High blood pressure then accelerate damages to the kidneys' filtering units, called glomeruli, which further worsens blood pressure and kidney function.
• Smoking: It damages the kidneys by constricting blood vessels, reducing blood flow, raising blood pressure, and introducing toxins like cadmium, causing or worsening diabetes-related kidney disease.
• High Salt Intake: Excess salt (sodium) is harmful to the kidneys because it causes the body to retain water, raising blood pressure, which damages the delicate filtering vessels in the kidneys and increases the risk of chronic kidney disease.
Contaminated Water Dehydration: Contaminated water has heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and agrochemicals that directly damage renal tubules of the kidneys. Furthermore, they also trigger chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.

Why Early Screening is Important

• Asymptomatic Nature: CKD often shows no symptoms until the kidneys are severely damaged. Screening (eGFR and urine ACR tests) is the only way to detect early damage.
• Preventive Action And Delayed Progression: Early identification enables managing high-risk factors such as blood pressure and blood sugar, which stops or slows down the progression to kidney failure.
• Reduced Complications & Mortality: Early intervention is associated with a 48 percent drop in major cardiovascular events, reducing the high mortality rate associated with renal dysfunction.
• Cost Management And Quality of Life: Detecting CKD early reduces the burden of disease, allowing patients to avoid dialysis or transplantation and preventing catastrophic medical costs.
• High-Risk Target Groups: Individuals with hypertension, diabetes, obesity, or a family history of kidney disease need to be screened annually to prevent progression

Screenings Options

To catch issues early, the article recommends three standard tests:

• Serum Creatinine: A serum creatinine blood test measures the level of a waste product from muscle metabolism to evaluate kidney function. Healthy kidneys filter creatinine; thus, elevated levels often indicate kidney dysfunction, chronic disease, or acute failure. Normal ranges are typically 0.7–1.3 mg/dL for men and 0.6–1.1 mg/dL for women.
• eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate): Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) is a blood test that measures how well the kidneys filter waste from the blood, indicating the level of kidney function. A result of 90 or higher is generally normal, while consistently low levels (below 60 for 3+ months) indicate chronic kidney disease or potential failure.
• Urine Albumin Test: The test detects early-stage kidney disease (albuminuria/proteinuria) before significant symptoms appear, allowing for earlier intervention to prevent further kidney damage.

Prevention

• Hydration
• Controlling blood sugar/pressure,
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• No to self-medication
• Control Salt Intake
• Balanced diet:

As people across the globe observe World Kidney Day, experts are sounding the alarm over the dangerous everyday habits that are worsening your kidney function and paving the way for the development of chronic conditions.

Dr Neha Bhandari, Senior Consultant, Pediatric Nephrology, Aakash Healthcare exclusively tells Healthandme: "Kidneys are very crucial in ensuring that the body maintains its internal equilibrium by filtering wastes, fluid regulation, electrolytes regulation, and in the process of assisting in blood pressure regulation as well.

"Nevertheless, a number of general living habits that have developed as part of contemporary everyday activity such as high painkiller use, large intake of processed foods and progressively sedentary lifestyles have the potential of slowly damaging the kidney functions. Since the damage of the kidneys frequently happens without any symptoms, and has no symptoms in severe cases, such simple habits can become a serious problem in the long-term, without any treatment."

Dr A K Jayaraj, MBBS, MS (Gen Surgery), MCH (Urology) at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Chennai also told this publication: "From the painkillers people take to relieve pain to the food they eat and the lifestyle they lead, there are a number of factors that can affect the functioning of these small but powerful organs.

"Focusing on these three factors helps keep these internal filters running smoothly by supporting clear blood flow, steady blood pressure, and balanced energy levels."

Here are the habits you need to keep an eye out for to protect your kidneys:

1. The Hidden Danger of Pain Killers

"Pain killers, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are known to constrict the blood vessels that lead to the kidneys. Constricted blood vessels limit the ability of the kidneys to filter blood, and frequent use of painkillers in the long run may lead to scarring or chronic diseases in the kidneys. It is always better to use the lowest

dose possible and look for other alternatives to pain killers, such as physical therapy, bed rest or heat packs."

Moreover, Dr Bhandari added: "In the long run, the continuous intake of these kinds of medicines can cause long-term kidney damage to the person, particularly those who are already predisposed to other conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and dehydration or people who already have kidney disease. Overdosing with painkillers may also cause a situation called analgesic nephropathy which involves progressive renal damage and functional weakness of the kidney as a result of constant exposure to the drugs."

2. The Burden of Processed Foods

"What a person eats directly affects how hard their kidneys have to work. Modern processed foods are often a "triple threat" because of their high levels of salt, sugar, and chemical additives.

• "High Salt: Processed meats and canned goods are packed with sodium, which raises blood pressure. Since kidneys are filled with delicate blood vessels, high pressure can wear them out quickly.
• "Preservatives: Many packaged snack foods contain preservatives, which are chemicals used to extend the shelf life of the food product. These chemicals are much more difficult for the kidneys to flush out of the system than natural minerals, leading to a buildup of toxins in the blood. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains are much better for the kidneys, as they do not contain preservatives," Dr Jayaraj said.

3. The Importance of Fitness

While doctors around the world note that having an active lifestyle can do wonders for both mental and physical health, Dr Bhandari highlights the dangers of not incorporating a workout in your routine.

She tells Healthandme: "Lack of exercise leads to weight gain, poor metabolic health, insulin resistance, and blood pressure all of which are great risk factors of kidney disease. The immobility also impacts circulation and general cardiovascular health, which in turn indirectly impacts on the effectiveness of the kidney functionality needs as adequate blood flow is needed to make the kidney processes effectively.

"Those who work long hours sitting with little physical activity during the time can gradually be a contributor to the disease conditions, which increases the damage to kidneys without thinking of the side effects of the disease in the long term.

"Indirect contribution can also be made by hydration habits. Most people replaced water with sweet drinks or caffeinated ones or soft drinks, which may lead to metabolic disorders and an overload of the kidney. Proper filtration and aiding in the excretion of toxins and metabolic waste into the body is facilitated by the adequate water intake."

"Weight gain and high blood sugar are the primary causes of kidney failure. Daily exercise, such as a 30-minute walk every day, helps the body regulate blood sugar well and maintain healthy blood pressure at all times. This, in turn, does not overwork the kidneys and allows them to perform at optimal capacity," Dr Jayaraj advised.

Often referred as a "silent killer," Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a progressive and irreversible condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood. When the kidneys fail, waste builds up to high levels in your blood, potentially leading to complications like heart disease or stroke.

Recent data from The Lancet and the Global Burden of Disease study reveals that out of nearly 14 crore Indians living with CKD, nearly 40 percent of diabetic patients and 40 percent of those with long-standing hypertension are at risk of developing CKD.

As CKD frequently shows no symptoms until nearly 90 percent of kidney function is already gone, Dr. Visweswar Reddy, Senior Consultant in Nephrology at SRM Prime Hospital, shares early signs everyone should look out for.

Early Signs Of Chronic Kidney Disease

He noted that one of the biggest challenges with kidney disease is that symptoms often appear very late said “Unfortunately, most of these symptoms appear only when more than 90 per cent of kidney function has already been lost.”

• Frothy Urine: Foamy urine refers to urine that appears bubbly or frothy in the toilet bowl indicating high concentrations of protein (proteinuria) from kidney stress.
• Frequent Urination: Rapid urination (or increased frequency/nocturia) is important in kidney disease because it often signals that the kidney's filters are damaged and cannot properly concentrate urine. This dysfunction causes the body to produce more dilute urine, requiring more frequent elimination to remove toxins and manage fluid balance.
• Swollen Feet: Swollen feet (edema) are an early indicator of kidney disease, occurring when damaged kidneys fail to remove excess fluid and sodium from the body. This fluid accumulates in tissues, causing swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, and sometimes the face. Early detection is crucial to prevent further kidney damage
• Loss of appetite and Vomiting: Both loss of appetite (anorexia) and vomiting are common symptoms in kidney disease, affecting 30–50 percent of dialysis patients. It is caused by the buildup of waste products (uremia), toxins, fatigue and cytokines, key drivers of chronic inflammation and fibrosis in both acute and chronic kidney diseases

Importance of early screening

• Irreversibility: As it causes permanent damage detecting it early is the only way to stop or slow down the progression before it reaches total kidney failure.
• Avoiding Dialysis: Timely medical care in the initial stages can preserve enough kidney function to prevent a patient from ever needing dialysis or a kidney transplant.
• Managing High-Risk Links: Since nearly 40% of diabetic patients and 40% of those with long-standing hypertension are at risk of developing CKD, screening allows doctors to catch the damage long before it becomes life-threatening.

Screening Option For Early Detection

• Serum Creatinine Blood Test: A serum creatinine blood test measures the level of waste product from muscle metabolism to evaluate kidney function. Healthy kidneys filter creatinine; thus, elevated levels often indicate kidney dysfunction, chronic disease, or acute failure. Normal ranges are typically 0.7–1.3 mg/dL for men and 0.6–1.1 mg/dL for women.
• Urine Examination: Urinalysis for kidney function evaluates urine for signs of damage, primarily checking for protein (albumin), blood, and waste products like creatinine to assess filtering capability.
• Blood Sugar Test: He said even a small blood test can be used to monitor for diabetes, which is the leading cause of kidney disease in India.

Who Is At Most Risk

• Individuals with Diabetes: Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease, affecting roughly one in three adults with diabetes. High blood sugar damages the small blood vessels and filters (nephrons) in the kidneys over time, causing them to leak protein into urine and lose the ability to filter waste, which can eventually lead to kidney failur
• Those with Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): High blood pressure and kidney disease share a two-way relationship, acting as both cause and effect. Uncontrolled high blood pressure damages delicate kidney blood vessels, leading to chronic kidney disease. Conversely, damaged kidneys cannot regulate blood pressure, which causes hypertension to worsen.
• Family History: Family health is closely linked to kidney disease primarily through shared genetics, hereditary conditions, and shared environmental factors like diet and lifestyle. Having a first-degree relative (parent, sibling) with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or kidney failure significantly increases a person's risk.
• Adults Over 18 with Risk Factors: Even younger adults should be screened if they have any of the underlying conditions mentioned above.