National Kidney Month

March is National Kidney Month.

If you have never thought about your kidneys or how to keep them healthy you will find some helpful information here. Anyone who has suffered from kidney stones will most likely suggest you find out how to prevent them rather than wait and find out how painful kidney stones can be.

What is the kidney's purpose?

First, take this quiz by the Kidney Fund Organization to test your knowledge.

Your kidneys remove wastes and extra fluid from your body. They also remove acid that is produced by the cells of your body and maintain a healthy balance of water, salts, and minerals—such as sodium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium—in your blood. Technically, you can live with no kidneys on dialysis because the spleen filters blood and helps the body fight infection.

What are some ways your kidneys keep you healthy?

• Regulate blood pressure.
• Keep blood minerals in balance.
• Regulate fluid levels.
• Filter wastes from the blood.
• Activate Vitamin D for healthy bones.
• Directs production of red blood cells.

What are the risk factors of kidney disease?

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Family history
• Age 60+

What problems come from kidney disease?

• Nerve damage
• Weak bones
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Anemia
• Kidney failure
• Cardiovascular diseases

What symptoms should you watch for?

• Puffy eyes
• Increased thirst
• Fatigue
• Blood in urine
• Swelling of face, hands, abdomen, ankles, or feet
• Difficult, painful urination

How can you keep your kidneys healthy and strong?

• Stay active
• Control your blood sugar
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Don’t smoke
• Monitor your weight
• Eat a healthy diet
• Monitor your blood pressure
• Limit alcohol intake
• Don’t overuse over the counter medications
• Quit smoking

If you are at risk you should have your kidney function checked as part of your routine care.

The most important thing you can do to keep your kidneys healthy is to take care of your body to reduce your chances of developing diseases that put a strain on your kidneys.

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