Are You Taking Care of Your Kidneys?

In simple terms, you can think of your kidneys as part of your body’s waste management system, removing waste products from the body. But these dual organs – located in your mid-back around your lower rib cage – provide a host of other essential body functions. Taking care of your kidneys is often more crucial than many realize. The kidneys balance the body’s fluids, help control your blood pressure, make red blood cells and help keep bones healthy.

Maintaining these vital organs is an important part of taking charge of your long-term overall health and wellbeing. Just like you frequently change a water filter in your kitchen, it’s vital to make sure you treat your kidneys with kindness to keep your body functioning properly to avoid chronic kidney disease. March is National Kidney Month, and in that spirit, here are some ways to take care of your kidneys.

What Do Your Kidneys Do?

As mentioned, kidneys are most commonly known to filter waste and toxins, including the byproducts of prescription medications, from your system. And it’s no small task – your kidneys filter about 200 quarts of blood every day, resulting in approximately one to two quarts of urine. This helps regulate the fluid balance in your body, specifically ridding the body of wastes and excess fluid, keeping your body clean and healthy.

A lesser known fact is your kidneys’ contribution to hormone production. Your kidneys secrete many hormones and enzymes, including erythropoietin and Vitamin D3. The latter is an essential player in healthy bone growth and helps control phosphorus levels in the blood.

Factors Affecting Kidney Health

Girl drinking water from bottle in forest as part of taking care of your kidneys There are a variety of factors that can influence your kidney health, but the most prevalent are high blood pressure and diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control, these contributing factors are the more common causes of chronic kidney disease in adults. Additionally, and sometimes hand-in-hand with high blood pressure, smoking and alcohol consumption can also negatively impact your kidneys’ ability to function properly. Heart disease, ethnicity, and a family history of kidney disease can also play a role.

If you think of your kidneys as the gate through which all consumed or injected substances must pass, then you’re correct to assume drugs and alcohol are going to be hard on them. It’s important to talk with your doctor about how certain medications might affect your kidneys’ ability to function properly. Medications to consider are pain meds, antibiotics, certain prescription medications, and of course, drugs and alcohol.

Tips for Maintaining Healthy Kidneys

The biggest boost you can give your kidneys is to drink plenty of water. Water helps the kidneys flush and remove waste, keeping the body’s fluids well balanced. Some studies have shown water to have a potentially protective effect on this hard-working organ. Plenty of water also helps prevent kidney stones and urinary tract infections. Dovetail your wise water consumption with a healthy, balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains and nuts.

Managing your blood pressure and blood sugar levels is another way to help your kidneys stay in top shape. If you experience high blood pressure or blood sugar imbalance, talk with your doctor about the best ways to address those issues. And of course, get lots of exercise and avoid potentially harmful habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

The Importance of Regular Check-ups

So, how do you know if your kidneys are staying healthy and filter-ready? Symptoms of poor kidney health can become very obvious very quickly and include things like urinating too much or too little, swelling, nausea, low back pain and loss of appetite. The good news is, two quick and easy tests can paint a very clear picture of your kidney health. Chronic kidney disease is typically detected via one of two tests that check how well your kidneys filter blood. Those tests are the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) blood test and the urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR), a urine test.

Your doctor will also monitor your blood pressure to make sure it isn’t too high and a potential chronic kidney disease risk factor. Consulting with your healthcare provider on a regular basis is the best way to make sure you’re maintaining proper kidney health and function.

Signs of Kidney Problems

Kidney malfunction can result in very noticeable symptoms, depending on how severe it is. If you experience the following, contact your doctor:

Nausea
Vomiting
A need to urinate more, or urinating less
Loss of appetite
Muscle cramps
Swelling in the feet and/or ankles
An inability to concentrate or decreased mental acuity
Dry, itchy skin
Shortness of breath
High blood pressure
Chest pain
Sharp back or abdominal pain

Kidney-friendly Foods

It’s best practice to treat your kidneys to foods that help nurture renal health. Turn to the following superfoods for maximum kidney health:

Leafy greens
Low-phosphorus cheese
Whole grains
Nuts and seeds
Fish that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids
Healthy oils and fats, such as avocados and olive oil
Squash
Root vegetables
Beans
Flax and chia seeds
Citrus

Conclusion

Prioritizing kidney health can lead to a longer, more fulfilling life. This essential set of organs works to keep our bodies clean, active and healthy. Drink plenty of water, opt for a wholesome, balanced diet and keep your blood pressure low with a healthy amount of exercise. If you’re looking for guidance on healthful choices, consider visiting your local health fair. Making wellness choices that benefit your kidney health is a small step toward a healthier future.