Improve kidney health
![Kidneys are vital organs involved in performing several important functions in the body.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/kidney-stones-symptoms.jpg?output-quality=75)
Kidneys are vital organs involved in performing several important functions in the body. Almost a third of the adults in the United States are at risk of developing kidney diseases. People who are on long-term medications or suffering from conditions such as diabetes and hypertension have a higher risk of kidney diseases. Unfortunately, most people with kidney diseases develop noticeable symptoms very late. Thus, by the time they are diagnosed, a lot of irreversible damage would have already occurred, and they are left with two options: dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Kidneys perform various functions such as:
- Regulate proper salt–water balance in the body
- Filter various wastes and toxic products from the body
- Maintain adequate electrolyte (such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus) balance in the body
- Regulate optimum blood pressure
- Maintain healthy bones by activating vitamin D
- Maintain healthy levels of red blood cells in the body
Several conditions can put a person at risk of kidney diseases. These include:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Cigarette smoking
- Obesity
- Heart diseases
- Family history of kidney diseases
- Long-term use of certain medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs (painkillers)
- Autoimmune diseases such as lupus and multiple myeloma
- Kidney stones
- Chronic (long-term) urinary tract infections
- Old age
It is important to look after the kidneys and get regular check-ups done, particularly if you are at risk of kidney diseases.
The risk of developing kidney diseases may vary from person to person. There are certain nonmodifiable factors such as age and genetics or family history of kidney diseases that may put you at risk. You can, however, manage the modifiable factors such as a healthy diet and lifestyle to protect yourself from the risk of developing kidney diseases.
Below are nine tips through which you can improve your kidney health:
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids is important to keep your kidneys healthy. The optimum fluid intake depends on several factors such as physical activity, climate, and health conditions. It is advisable to drink around two liters of fluids each day if you are healthy and in a comfortable climate condition. You may consult your health provider to know about your individual fluid needs.
- Keep yourself active: Regular physical activity protects from kidney diseases and risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese may put you at risk of kidney diseases.
- Eat healthily: Consuming fruits and vegetables and avoiding processed and fatty foods can help you keep your kidneys healthy. Limit your total salt consumption to 5-6 g a day.
- Regulate your blood pressure: Keep a check on your blood pressure. Take appropriate medications and adopt a healthy lifestyle in consultation with your doctor.
- Keep your blood sugars controlled: Many people with diabetes are diagnosed late. You must check your blood sugar regularly based on the risk factor for diabetes you may have. Kidney damage due to diabetes can be prevented by keeping the blood sugars controlled.
- Quit smoking: Smoking in any form, active, passive, or vaping, is bad for your kidneys. Smoking can also increase the risk of heart diseases and kidney cancer.
- Avoid regular intake of over-the-counter pain medications: Long-term use of pain medications such as NSAIDs can damage your kidneys.
- Get your kidney functions checked if you are at risk: People with risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and a family history of kidney diseases must get themselves regularly examined to exclude the development of kidney disorders. Getting checked for urine protein or microalbuminuria (trace protein in urine) six monthly is a good way to chart your kidney function if you have diabetes or hypertension. The positive test indicates injury to the kidney, which is still reversible.
https://www.worldkidneyday.org/facts/take-care-of-your-kidneys/8-golden-rules/
Top How Can I Improve My Kidney Health? Nine Tips Related Articles
10 Foods to Eat If You Have Addison's Disease
What is Addison's disease and how can you manage it? Learn which 10 foods can help manage your Addison's disease symptoms.How Do I Get Rid of a Cyst on My Kidney?
Learn what medical treatments can help get rid of your kidney cysts and speed up your recovery.How Is a CT Urogram Performed?
A CT (computed tomography) urogram is a non-invasive radiological examination of the urinary system. The doctor injects a mildly radioactive tracer compound into your vein, which then allows the radiologist to view the structure and function of the kidneys and bladder using the CT scanner.How Long Does it Take to Pass a Kidney Stone?
What are kidney stones and what do they feel like? Learn the signs of kidney stones and what to do if you have kidney stone pain.Is Kidney Cancer Curable?
Kidney cancer is an uncontrolled division of cells (cancer) that begins in the kidney. How curable is a particular cancer depends on its stage, its cell type, and the stage at which it is diagnosed.Is Plant Protein Good or Bad for Kidneys?
Eating less meat and more vegetables has many health benefits. Plant protein may help lower your risk of kidney disease.Kidney Disease Quiz
Kidney disease is common. Take this kidney disease quiz to test your knowledge and learn the symptoms, causes and types of kidney disease and what foods to eat and avoid!Kidney (Renal) Failure
Kidney failure can occur from an acute event or a chronic condition or disease. Prerenal kidney failure is caused by blood loss, dehydration, or medication. Some of the renal causes of kidney failure include sepsis, medications, rhabdomyolysis, multiple myeloma, and acute glomerulonephritis.
Post renal causes of kidney failure include bladder obstruction, prostate problems, tumors, or kidney stones.Treatment options included diet, medications, or dialysis.
Kidney Pain
Kidney pain has a variety of causes and symptoms. Infection, injury, trauma, bleeding disorders, kidney stones, and less common conditions may lead to kidney pain. Symptoms associated with kidney pain may include fever, vomiting, nausea, flank pain, and painful urination. Treatment of kidney pain depends on the cause of the pain.Kidney Pain vs. Back Pain
The signs and symptoms of kidney pain and back pain depend upon the underlying cause. Doctors may use blood tests, X-rays, CT, and/or MRI to diagnose kidney pain and back pain. Treatment may include rest, ice, stretching, muscle strengthening, and pain-relieving medications.Kidney Stone Slideshow
What causes kidney stones? Where is kidney stone pain located on your body? Learn the symptoms and signs of kidney stone pain. Explore kidney stone treatment and how to prevent kidney stones.Kidneys Picture
The kidneys are a pair of organs located in the back of the abdomen. See a picture of the Kidneys and learn more about the health topic.Signs of a Kidney Disease
Most of the signs of kidney diseases are unnoticed, ignored, or appear very late in the disease. Over 37 million American adults have kidney diseases, and most are not aware of it.Ways to Keep Your Kidneys Healthy
You might know that more than a drink or two a day is bad for your health. But in some cases, any alcohol at all may not be a great idea.