Prioritise your kidney health this National Kidney Awareness Week.
From September 6 to 10 the Transplant Education for Living Legacies (Tell) organisation is raising awareness about the issues concerning kidney health, kidney donation and transplants.
According to a statement by Tell, many people don’t think about their kidneys and the work that they do until they don’t function anymore.
“You can lose up to 90% of your kidney function before showing any signs or symptoms.”
World Kidney Day, a global awareness campaign, shares eight golden rules to follow to keep your precious kidneys healthy.
1. Monitor and control your blood pressure
Know your blood pressure – normal blood pressure is about 120/80.
High blood pressure can damage your kidneys and cause chronic kidney disease, which can progress to end-stage renal failure.
If your blood pressure is above the recommended level when measured on two different days, please consult your healthcare provider to discuss what lifestyle and dietary changes need to be made to control your blood pressure.
2. Control your blood sugar level
Many people who are diabetic develop end-stage renal disease (ESRD) which is why it is important to maintain your blood sugar levels and have your kidney function tested regularly.
With early detection, the progression to ESRD from diabetes can be reduced or even prevented all together.
3. Get moving
Some of the benefits of regular exercise are maintaining your ideal body weight, reducing blood pressure and reducing the risk of developing chronic kidney disease.
4. Eat a healthy diet and keep your weight stable
Eating a healthy diet can prevent a lot of lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and other chronic condition associated with chronic renal failure.
Keeping your weight in check will put less stress on all of your organs.
5. Drink enough water
Your kidneys will thank you for looking after them and drinking enough water helps clear your system of excess minerals such as sodium, potassium and phosphates which can cause damage to your organs and ultimately death.
The ideal amount of fluid you need to take will be influenced by how active you are, the climate you stay in, health conditions, pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Consult with our doctor on the appropriate fluid intake for your condition.
6. Don’t start to smoke and quit if you do
Smoking causes less blood to reach your kidneys which can in turn cause them to not function properly.
If your kidneys don’t function properly, they cannot clear your body of excess minerals and toxins.
7. Avoid taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication regularly.
If you take over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (such as ibuprofen) regularly, you could be putting your health at risk of developing chronic kidney disease.
Consult your healthcare professional to manage your pain and protect your kidneys.
8. Get your kidney function checked regularly if you are in the high-risk category
You are considered to be at a high risk to develop chronic kidney disease if you:
· have diabetes
· have hypertension
· have a family history of kidney disease
· are obese
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