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| Kidney Disease |
Are you one of those who consistently ignore information about kidney disease? Since you’ve already started reading this life-saving article, continue and thank me later. Kidney disease is "silent disease" because it hardly causes symptoms until it’s almost in a chronic stage.
What are kidneys?
Kidneys are two extremely vital organs on either side of your backbone in your
abdomen. Kidneys are shaped like a bean and are about the size of a fist.
What do healthy kidneys do to your
health?
· They
clean and regulate your blood
· They
process your blood to sort out unwanted chemicals, waste and excess fluids and
turn them into urine.
· Manage
the amount of water in your body
· Every
hour, all your blood supply cycles through your kidneys 12 times, adding about 200L
of blood daily.
5 things you can do
to look after your kidneys
1.
Watch out for
symptoms of kidney disease
Kidney disease is also called "silent disease" because its symptoms always hide
until it has progressed significantly. Many people only experience the symptoms
after having lost almost 90% of their kidney functions.
1. Watch out for these
signs of a reduced kidney function:
· High blood pressure
· Tiredness And fatigue
· Change in the number of toilet visits and
amount of urine you produce, for instance,
· Foaming
or frothy urine
· Blood
in your urine
· Increased puffiness
around your ankles, legs or eyes
and pain in your kidney area (lower back)
· Difficulties
sleeping
· Loss of appetite
· Difficulty
concentrating
· Headaches
· Itching
· Nausea and vomiting
· Shortness of breath
· Bad breath and metallic
taste in the mouth
· Muscle cramps
However, many of these symptoms are so general or vague that they many may
point to other illnesses. Discuss with your healthcare provided
to help you to rule out if it’s a kidney disease or other issues.
2. Quit smoking
Do you smoke? If yes, know that you’re likely to develop kidney disease and
kidney cancer. So, stop smoking to improve your kidney health and save your
dear life.
3. Watch your blood pressure
High blood pressure also called hypertension is a risk factor when it comes to kidney
disease since it can damage the arteries and blood vessels both in and around
your kidneys. Test your blood pressure regularly to ensure it is okay.
If you have HBP, talk with your doctor to know how best to manage it. This
should include:
· Regular physical exercise
· About 30 minutes of moderate activity
daily
· Taking alcohol in moderation
· Quitting smoking
· Reducing salt intake
· Reducing stress
· Eating a balanced diet and drinking lots
of water.
Some people with
HBP need to take medication to manage their condition.
4. Manage
diabetes
Statistically, a higher percentage of kidney disease cases are caused by
diabetes. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, talk with your doctor about
the right way to manage the condition while also monitoring your kidney health.
5. Drink water regularly
Hydrating your body regularly improves the function and overall health of your
kidneys. Fluids are good especially water which is the best type of the fluid
you should drink. Water has no kilojoules, salt or sugar which is
excellent for the body. Note that mineral waters, cordials, soft drinks, fruit
concentrates and alcohol all come with high levels of salt and sugar. And
drinks such as some cola drinks and beer come with phosphoric acid which
instead promotes kidney stones. Only take these drinks especially during
occasions and go for water when quenching your taste.
Feeling thirsty is a sign that you’re
already dehydrated. Drink small amounts of water frequently throughout the day
to stay hydrated. Ensure that you drink more if you are in a place with a hot
climate or are exercising, breastfeeding or pregnant.
Hope
you’ve learned how to keep your kidneys healthy from this article. Browse this
blog to find more essential health tips.
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