| [ Summary ] |
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients experience disturbances in sodium excretion from the kidneys, frequently lead to non-dipper, salt-sensitive type or nocturnal hypertension. In addition, nocturnal hypertension is a powerful predictor for both the progression of CKD and cardiovascular diseases. Because of this, appropriate blood pressure control is vital. In home blood pressure monitoring should be carried out. Sodium restriction is also beneficial and reasonable treatments for salt sensitive individuals such as CKD patients should be provided. Moreover, especially in hemodialysis patients, appropriate sodium intake is required for prevention of excessive interdialytic weight gain.
However, sodium restriction is sometimes difficult to achieve. One contributing factor relevant to difficulties in sodium restriction is salt taste dysfunction, which is commonly observed in CKD patients. Excessive salt intake and zinc deficiencies induce taste disturbances in salt perception. Even over short periods, sodium restriction will improve salt taste acuity. To restrict sodium easily and effectively for hypertension treatment, physicians should be more concerned with taste disturbances in CKD patients. |