Kidneys help you stay healthy by filtering pollutants and extra water from your blood, regulating your blood pressure, and encouraging the creation of red blood cells.
Kidney disease is a silent killer that has a significant impact on your quality of life. Kidney disease is more likely to occur if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of kidney failure. Even if you are not at risk, you should be aware of how to avoid kidney disease. There are a few key measures to keep your kidney function in good shape.
- Keep fit and active: Regular physical activity aids in the maintenance of fitness. Regular exercise or moderate activity helps you maintain a healthy weight and blood pressure, lowering your risk of chronic renal disease. Overexertion can encumber your kidneys, so you should be cautious about how much activity you perform.
- Maintain healthy fluid intake: Drinking 1.5-2 litres of water per day has long been recommended. Water aids in the removal of wastes from the bloodstream as urine, as well as maintaining body temperature. It also aids in keeping your blood arteries open, allowing critical nutrients to flow freely to your kidneys. It removes diseases as well as stone-forming crystals. It’s crucial to note that the amount of fluid you should drink is determined by your age, climate, exercise intensity, health issues, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. To lessen the risk of a new kidney stone, those with a history of kidney stones should consume 2-3 litres of water every day.
- Eat healthy & check weight: The majority of kidney disorders are caused by medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, both of which are linked to your diet. To reduce weight and high blood pressure, the best recommendation is to adopt a good food nutrition plan. Reducing salt intake can help to prevent diabetes and heart disease, both of which are linked to chronic kidney disease.
- Monitor blood pressure: High blood pressure is commonly associated with heart attacks and strokes, but it can also lead to renal illness. You should adjust your diet if your blood pressure is between 120/80 and 139/89. Any blood pressure reading exceeding 140/90 requires medical attention and regular blood pressure monitoring to avoid kidney damage, which is almost likely.
8 Golden Rules for Healthy Kidney
- Quit smoking: Smoking damages blood vessels hence decreasing the blood flow to the kidneys. Due to inadequate blood flow in the kidneys, their function gets interrupted. It also increases the risk of high blood pressure and kidney cancers.
- Keep control on blood sugar: Kidney injury is more prevalent in people who have uncontrolled blood sugar or diabetes. Any kidney disease can be avoided if recognised early by frequent doctor visits and blood sugar monitoring.
- Do not take over the counter pills regularly: If taken frequently for a long time, some non-prescription drugs, such as ibuprofen, might cause kidney damage. If you have chronic pain or arthritis, you should get medical counsel before taking any over-the-counter pain relievers that could harm your kidneys.
- Regular kidney screening: Your doctor will screen for kidney impairment as part of standard treatment if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or are obese. It’s critical to be aware of your high risks and to have frequent renal screenings.
Various health issues frequently impact the kidneys. Kidney health can be maintained by eating well, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy BMI.