Tips to keep your kidneys healthy
Rose May Pimentel in Health
Jun 26, 2020 • 3 min Read
According to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), kidney diseases are the sixth leading cause of death among Filipinos. One Filipino develops chronic renal failure every hour and there are currently more than 70,000 Filipinos who are undergoing dialysis. Our kidneys perform several functions. Most importantly, they perform vital life-maintaining functions as monitors and regulators of body fluid — keeping the body function properly and healthy.
Maintaining kidney health is important to your overall health and general well-being. That’s why taking care of your kidneys should be a top health priority. Here are the eight golden rules from the World Kidney Day Organization to help keep your kidneys healthy:
1. Keep fit, Be active
This can help to maintain ideal body weight, reduce your blood pressure, and the risk of Chronic Kidney Disease.
2. Eat a healthy diet
This can help to maintain ideal body weight, reduce your blood pressure, prevent diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions associated with Chronic Kidney Disease.
Reduce your salt intake. Limit the amount of processed and restaurant food and do not add salt to food. Try to prepare the food yourself with fresh ingredients.
3. Check and control your blood sugar
About half of people who have diabetes do not know they have diabetes. Therefore, you need to check your blood sugar level. This is especially important for those who are approaching middle age or older. About half of people who have diabetes develop kidney damage, but this can be prevented/ limited if the diabetes is well controlled.
4. Check and control your blood pressure
About half of people who have high blood pressure do not know they have high blood pressure. Therefore, you need to check your blood pressure. This is especially important for those who are approaching middle age or older. High blood pressure can damage your kidneys. The risk can be reduced with good control of blood pressure.
5. Take the appropriate fluid intake
The right level of fluid intake for any individual depends on many factors including exercise, climate, health conditions, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Normally this means 8 cups, approximately 2 liters (quarts) per day for a healthy person in a comfortable climate condition. Consult your doctor on the appropriate fluid intake for your condition.
6. Don’t smoke
Smoking slows the flow of blood to the kidneys. When less blood reaches the kidneys, it can decrease their ability to function normally. Smoking also increases the risk of kidney cancer by about 50 percent.
7. Don’t take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory/pain-killer pills regularly
Common drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS)/ pain-killer (e.g. drugs like ibuprofen) can harm the kidneys if taken regularly.
8. Get your kidney function checked if you have one or more of the ‘high risk’ factors:
* you have diabetes
* you have hypertension
* you are obese
* you have a family history of kidney disease
In conclusion, maintaining an active, healthy lifestyle is one of the most important things you can do to keep your kidneys safe. As US nephrologist Dr. James Simon said, these healthy practices are not new and not specific to kidney health. Healthy kidneys like a healthy body!
