Say hello to healthy kidneys!
This organ plays a major role in keeping our body fluids regulated–from eliminating body wastes to regulating hormones. That function seems tiring right? It becomes even more tiring for our kidneys if we live an unhealthy lifestyle. This may cause kidney damage which can lead to greater health concerns.
A damaged kidney increases the risk of developing major diseases like:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Heart attack and stroke
- Hypertension
- Weak bones
- Kidney diseases
- Kidney failure
What are the risk factors?
- Age (60 years and above)
- Cardiovascular Disease (including family history)
- Hypertension (including family history)
- Obesity
- Kidney damage (including family history)
- Diabetes
Symptoms for kidney disease usually appear when it is already in an advanced state. So, early detection and early prevention is the key to keep our kidneys healthy.
- Be active
- Being active helps us maintain ideal levels of these factors that influence our kidney health:
- Weight
- Blood Pressure
- Heart Health
- Control your blood sugar
- Controlling blood sugar helps the kidneys through minimizing the amount of glucose it needs to filter.
- Maintain normal blood pressure
- High blood pressure narrows, weakens or hardens the arteries around the kidneys which affects the amount of blood reaching the kidney tissues.
- Maintain healthy weight and healthy diet
- Maintaining weight and healthy diet have great effect on blood sugar, blood pressure and heart health.
- Controlling salt intake and eating fresh foods may help reduce kidney damage.
- Drink plenty of water
- Drinking water helps remove the sodium and toxins from your kidneys.
- The amount of water intake depends on several factors such as:
- Climate
- Exercise
- Gender
- Health Condition
*It is best to consult your doctor for your appropriate fluid intake.
- Do not smoke
- Nicotine constricts the blood vessels thereby slowing the blood flow to the kidneys.
- Keep track of your medicine intake
- Regularly taking over-the-counter pain medications can damage your kidney.
*If you have chronic pain, it is best to consult with your doctor for pain management.
- Have yourself checked if you are at high risk
- Consult your doctor and ask about the tests you could take to know your kidney function.
References:
- World Kidney Day
- Healthline
- National Kidney Foundation
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- American Heart Association
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Disclaimer:
All content found on the DLSUMC website, including text, graphics, images, audio or other formats were created for general informational purposes only and are not intended or implied to be substitutes for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call your local emergency hotline immediately.