The 14th of March is World Kidney Day and this month we shine a light on kidney health, with a focus on what Chronic Kidney Disease is and how one can prevent getting it.
Kidneys are incredible organs and play a vital role in our health, but how much do we really know about them? In celebration of World Kidney Day, we talk about the role our kidneys play in our everyday lives as well as take a deep dive into kidney disease and what it takes to keep our kidneys functioning optimally.
What do our kidneys actually do?
In simple terms, our kidneys operate like filters inside our bodies. Their purpose is to clean our blood by removing waste products and extra fluids, which then get turned into urine.
Kidneys also help us to control things like our blood pressure and electrolyte levels (like sodium, potassium, and calcium) as well as the production of red blood cells.
What is Chronic Kidney Disease?
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a progressive condition characterised by the gradual loss of kidney function over time. When our kidneys are damaged, our bodies are not able to filter out waste appropriately, which means that over time this can lead to a buildup of waste within our bodies.
CDK can range from mild to severe. When it is severe, it’s classified as end-stage renal disease and you’ll require dialysis or a kidney transplant to live.
The main causes of CKD include:
– Diabetes
– Hypertension aka high blood pressure
– Glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney’s filtering units)
– Genetic disorders, like Polycystic Kidney Disease and autoimmune diseases
– UTIs
– Kidney stones
How to prevent kidney disease?
Simply, adopting a healthy lifestyle and managing any underlying health conditions is the key way to prevent kidney diseases.
Most importantly:
– Keeping blood sugar levels and blood pressure under control.
– Maintaining a healthy diet that is low in salt and saturated fats.
– Drinking enough water
– Regular exercise
– Limiting alcohol consumption and smoking
– Go for regular health check-ups
For more information on World Kidney Day, visit https://www.worldkidneyday.org/ for more information.
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