…and you should too. They’re silently doing a job that no one else wants to do and not complaining. Not only that, but there are two, so if one slacks off the other one can pick up the load. Pretty amazing if you stop to think about it!
Let’s take a moment and talk about the wonderful kidneys and how you can care for them.
What do your kidneys do?
The main job of your kidneys is to filter your blood by removing waste and extra water to make urine. But the kidneys also help regulate blood pressure and make hormones to keep you healthy.
How do kidneys get damaged?
Kidneys are generally damaged over years and years of chronic illness like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and sometimes because of family history. When kidneys are damaged they can’t filter blood like they need to and that causes waste build up in the body. Certain over-the-counter medications (called NSAIDS), like Ibuprofen and naproxen, can also damage your kidneys when taken excessively.
How do I know if I’m at risk for kidney disease?
Early kidney disease is silent. The only way to know if you have it is to have a urine test and a blood test to rule it out; however, there are some risk factors.
What are the risk factors for kidney disease?
You are at higher risk for kidney disease if you have:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- A family history of kidney failure
How can I take better care of my kidneys?
- Manage your blood pressure
- Manage your diabetes
- Keep cholesterol in your target range
- Talk to your healthcare provider before taking medication of any sort
- Quit smoking
- Exercise
- Lose weight
Treat your kidneys right and they’ll continue to love you for a lifetime!