Are You At Risk for Kidney Disease

There are simple steps you can take to keep your kidneys healthy. They are the strainer or filter for your blood stream. If you think of a coffee filter that keeps filters out the impurities and other unwanted things out of the grind when water flows through it, you will understand what your kidneys do. The kidneys can process 200 quarts of blood daily. They send the excess water and impurities to the bladder. The bladder then disposes of the impurities in the form of urine.

Kidneys also control the amount of fluids and the electrolyte balance in our body. Kidneys make sure we have the right amount of salt, potassium, and essential minerals. It also helps us convert vitamin D from the sun into a usable form to help build bone. Kidney's by doing these things helps regulate our hormones and blood pressure.

So you can see kidney health is important to your overall health and well being. Unlike like our hearts; we sometimes do not pay attention to the things that will keep this vital organ healthy. Diabetics and those who have hypertension are at greater risk for kidney disease as well as heart disease. Maintaining a normal blood pressure and blood sugar through diet and exercise is good for your kidneys as well as your heart.

 You can drink six to eight glasses a day. Water helps your kidneys flush out impurities without added things like caffeine and sugar which can indirectly affect your kidney's health. You should also limit your use of over the counter pain killers. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are all anti inflammatory drugs that can lead to kidney disease if used regularly. Even the non-anti inflammatory drugs like acetaminophen can influence kidney health negatively. Occasional use of over the counter pain relievers does not have a significant effect on kidney health.

When you have x-rays with dye, you may want to ask your doctor about getting a fluid IV before or after the procedure. The reason is to help flush your system of dye that may cause kidney damage, especially in patients with risk factors such as diabetes or congestive heart disease. Hydrating with water is the best way also to help keep bladder infections from the kidney and help prevent kidney stones.

If you have a tendency towards kidney stones your doctor may be able to suggest dietary changes to cut down on your risk of reoccurring kidney stones. Both recurrent kidney infections and kidney stones can lead to kidney disease and deterioration.

When you have a check up you may ask your doctor to check your kidney's function with a simple blood test. If slightly elevated blood pressure can impact kidney health over a number of years. Signs of serious kidney problems that need immediate attention can be blood in your urine, swelling of the hands and feet, and continuing nausea. If you have these symptoms you should see your physician right away.

Kidney health can be easier to maintain then you think, If you do things like eat right, exercise, and drink lots of water you will be doing it just in the process of living a healthy lifestyle. Increased water consumption helps keep you hydrated while you exercise and makes you feel fuller and snack less. Keeping you kidneys healthy is good for your heart and waist line as well.

So you can see kidney health is important to your overall health and wellbeing. Unlike like our hearts; we sometimes do not pay attention to the things that will keep this vital organ healthy. Diabetics and those who have hypertension are at greater risk for kidney diease as well as heart disease. Maintaining a normal blood pressure and blood sugar through diet and exercise is good for your kidneys as well as your heart.

http://www.lifeoptions.org/kidneyinfo/ckdinfo.php?page=4

http://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/ckd/index.cfm

http://www.cigna.com/healthinfo/aa65427.html

http://www.associatedcontent.com/rss/custom_462615_More+on+Health__article_70_.xml