Maintain Healthy Kidneys
The kidneys work hard to keep the body operating in tip-top shape. Many people take their kidneys for granted and don't fully understand their purpose. However, maintaining kidney health is essential to maintaining overall health.
The Purpose of Kidneys
The kidneys are bean-shaped organs about the size of a fist. They are located in the back just below the rib cage. The kidneys are the waste treatment plants of the body. Each day they filter hundreds of quarts of blood and fluid and extract waste products and extra water. Water waste is sent to the bladder where it is stored until excreted. Waste in the blood comes from the breakdown of food and usage of body tissues.
If the kidneys didn't filter the blood, an excess of waste would build up and it could become toxic. Once kidneys are irreparably damaged, the only way to survive is through a kidney transplant or constant mechanical filtering of blood known as dialysis.
Compromised Function
The "renal function" phrase is used to describe how effectively the kidneys are working. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC), kidney function is calculated using a blood sample and a formula to find the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The eGFR corresponds to the percentage of kidney function available.
The removal of waste occurs in tiny units inside the kidneys called nephrons. Certain diseases and conditions can compromise those nephrons, reducing their ability to filter, and lead to renal failure. Diabetes, high blood pressure and auto-immune diseases can affect kidney function.
Keeping Kidneys Healthy
It's essential that you keep your kidneys healthy. There are a few ways to do just that.
* Avoid carbonated beverages in excess. Dark sodas can erode your kidneys. Scale down these beverages to one every few days. Drink plenty of other fluids, especially water.
* Watch out for urinary tract infections. If gone untreated, the bacteria can infiltrate the bladder and kidneys. Antibiotics are generally prescribed for urinary tract infections. Visit your doctor if you have any trouble urinating or pain while doing so. It could be a sign of an infection.
* Watch what you eat or drink. Overdoing it with processed foods or alcoholic beverages may affect kidney, as well as liver, function. Certain medications and drug abuse can also compromise function.
* Don't smoke. Smokers are at a greater risk for kidney disease.
* Maintain a healthy weight and cholesterol level.
* If kidney disease is hereditary, consider regular renal function tests at your doctor's office. TF109887