How To Keep Kidneys Healthy
Maintaining strong, healthy kidneys is not something many people think about, but it is the basis for the overall health and proper functioning of everyone’s urologic systems. What’s the secret?
Every day, your kidneys continually process your blood to sift out about two quarts of waste products and extra water that come from the normal breakdown of active tissues and from the food you eat. The waste and extra water become urine. If your kidneys did not remove these wastes, the wastes would build up in the blood and damage your body.
Keeping your kidneys healthy simply requires the same sensible approaches that keep the entire body healthy. These same principles apply to those with a single kidney:
- Weight control – Excessive weight also contributes to heart disease, osteoarthritis, diabetes and a range of other medical problems.
- A good diet rich in fruits, vegetables and fiber – but limited in unhealthy fats and carbohydrates
- Exercise – at least 30 minutes of aerobic, heart-healthy exercise three days a week, augmented by some type of resistance exercise twice per week to maintain lean body mass (can be performed at same session)
- Control of high blood pressure – uncontrolled hypertension is one of the main causes of kidney destruction. Controlling blood pressure includes regular monitoring, periodic check-ups with your doctor, and staying on prescribed medications even if you feel fine.
- Controlling your diabetes – diabetes, if left untreated, can ravage your body and lead to destruction of your eyesight, kidneys and other organ systems.
- Stress reduction – the hormonal changes produced by excessive stress can have damaging effects on many parts of the body over time.
- Cholesterol control – monitoring and controlling cholesterol and overall fat levels in the blood not only contributes to kidney health, it also is vital to having a healthy heart.
- Regular check-ups and awareness of unusual symptoms – information is power and tracking your health – including early detection and treatment of unusual symptoms that could be indicators of serious problems, such as blood in the urine – are vital to early, effective treatment.
- Beware of medication use – Avoid excess aspirin, ibuprofen, and other anti-inflammatory drugs. Ask your doctor about the effects on your kidney function prior to starting any new prescription or over-the-counter medication.
- Stop smoking.
Remember: a strong, healthy body means better kidneys.
