We all think a lot about heart health, cholesterol, and weight, right? But how many of us care as much about our kidneys? Kidneys are actually like the silent workers in our body. They do their job without making any noise. That's why, sometimes we don't realize it until a problem starts and it's far gone. So today, let's talk about how to keep these silent workers, our kidneys, from getting sick.
The two biggest enemies of the kidneys
If you want to reduce the risk of kidney damage, you really need to focus on two other conditions. They are
diabetes and
high blood pressure . These are the two biggest threats to your kidneys. Simply put, your kidneys are like the water filter in your home. Their main job is to filter out waste products from your body. 1.
Diabetes: Having diabetes means you have very high blood sugar levels. This excess sugar causes your blood to thicken, or rather, become "sticky." As this thickened blood passes through the fine filters in your kidneys, those filters become damaged and begin to clog. Over time, this damage builds up and your kidneys gradually lose function. 2.
Hypertension: High blood pressure means your blood is forced through your blood vessels at high pressure. Imagine what would happen if a high-pressure water jet from a water pump hit a fine mesh. That mesh could get punctured and broken, right? Similarly, when high-pressure blood hits the fine blood vessels in the kidneys, it can damage them over time. The scariest part about this is that many people don't even know they have diabetes or high blood pressure. These conditions can be present for years without any symptoms. Therefore, if you haven't had a medical examination in a while, it is very important to
definitely see your doctor for a check-up. If your doctor tells you that you have diabetes or high blood pressure, try your best to control it. This can prevent unnecessary damage to your kidneys over time.
Things that are good for the heart are also good for the kidneys!
The good news is that the same things you do to take care of your heart health and control your weight are also very good for your kidneys. That means you can kill two birds with one stone! So keep up these healthy habits.
- Eating a healthy diet (reducing salt , sugar , and oil, and eating more vegetables and fruits).
- Completely abstain from smoking.
- Limit or completely stop drinking alcohol .
- Staying active every day (for example, walking for at least 30 minutes a day).
- Never skip any medication prescribed by your doctor, take it at the right time and in the right dosage.
These simple things will provide great protection for your kidneys.
Why is it so important to have regular medical checkups?
Some people are more at risk of developing kidney disease than others. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family member (mother, father, siblings) has had kidney disease, you are at risk. It is important for such people to have regular tests to see how their kidneys are working.
Remember: These tests cannot prevent kidney disease from developing. However, if there is a problem, they can be detected early . This can help us prevent the disease from progressing to the more serious condition of kidney failure .
The table below lists some of the main tests used to determine kidney health.
| Test Name | What Does It Check? |
|---|
| Urine Test | The urine is checked for excess protein, glucose (sugar), or blood. These are not normally filtered by healthy kidneys. |
| Blood Pressure Reading | Check to see if your blood pressure is high. |
| Fasting Blood Glucose Test | This test, which is done after you have fasted for a few hours, measures your blood sugar levels to see if you have diabetes. |
| Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test | This gives you an idea of your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. This is very important for knowing how well you are managing your diabetes. |
| Serum Creatinine Test | Creatinine is a waste product produced by muscle activity. When the kidneys are not working properly, they are unable to filter and remove this waste product, resulting in elevated levels of creatinine in the blood. |
What do you do if there is a problem?
If these tests show that there is a problem, don't panic. The most important thing is
to work with your doctor . He or she will explain the advice, medications, and lifestyle changes you need to make. Remember, the earlier it is detected, the easier it is to treat and control the disease.
Take-Home Message
- The two biggest risks to your kidneys are diabetes and high blood pressure . Keep these two conditions under control.
- Get regular medical checkups , especially if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease.
- Heart-healthy habits (good diet, exercise, and avoiding smoking) also protect your kidneys .
- If a problem is detected early, serious damage can be prevented. So if you have any doubts about anything, talk to your doctor .
Kidney disease, kidney disease prevention, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney tests, kidney care, healthy living
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න