7 Ways To Keep Your Kidneys Healthy

7 ways to keep your kidneys healthy

Kidneys are two kidney bean-shaped organs in our body that filter our blood to remove the toxins and other waste in the form of urine. Kidney diseases can affect this function leading to an accumulation of waste products in the body and causing various complications. Today’s lifestyle has increased the risk of developing kidney problems all around the world. Even without risk factors such as diabetes and high blood pressure, it is very important to take care of your kidney to have a healthy life.

There are a number of things that you can do to keep your kidneys in good health. Some of these are mentioned below:

1- Drink water and keep your urine pale, but don’t overdo it.

It is very important to keep yourself appropriately hydrated throughout the day. This will keep your urine clear. However, no studies have yet proven that over-consumption of water is an effective practice for enhancing kidney function.

It’s always good to remain hydrated and drink enough water, but drinking more than the typically known four to six glasses a day probably won't help the kidneys do a better job.

Eat a balanced diet.

2- Eat a balanced diet.

As known, most kidney problems are associated with other medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Because of this, it is suggested that eating healthy food to keep your weight and blood pressure in control is important.

3- Keep a check on diabetes and high blood pressure -

This will help in keeping the kidneys in good condition so that you can lead a healthier lifestyle. Monitor your kidney functions regularly if you have these conditions.

4- Have an active lifestyle:

Regular exercise is as important. Like eating healthy food, an active lifestyle can help control weight and high blood pressure. But keep in mind how much exercise you can take part in and do not overexert yourself, especially if you’re not conditioned or not in good shape. This can cause some serious problems if you are at high risk for heart disease.

It is best to talk to your doctor and discuss your activity plans if you have a heart condition or are at risk of cardiovascular disease. You can form a new workout program based on the expert’s suggestions.

5- Be cautious with the use of supplements and herbal medicines:

Certain vitamin supplements and herbal extracts may cause harm to your kidneys when taken in large amounts. Discuss with your doctor about the vitamins and herbs that you are planning to take, to ensure your kidneys won’t be affected by the dosage.

6- Quit smoking:

Smoking cigarettes or even vaping can cause harm to the blood vessels, which then decreases the flow of blood in the kidneys. This improper blood flow in the kidneys can affect their performance at optimal levels.

Quit smoking

Smoking can also increase the risk of high blood pressure and kidney cancer.

Vaping may not expose a person to all the toxins that are in tobacco smoke, but nicotine can still be very addictive and affect the body. Also, there are many other substances in the vaping solutions that can potentially be harmful.

7- Don’t overuse over-the-counter medications:

Commonly used non-prescription drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen (NSAIDs) can cause damage to the kidney when taken very regularly over a prolonged period. If you have healthy kidneys, occasional use of these medicines for pain or inflammation, probably won't be a risk for kidney damage.

A doctor can monitor your kidney function

But when they are taken for chronic pain or arthritis, it is best to talk to a doctor regarding monitoring the kidney function and help you find alternative ways for managing the pain.

If you’re already at risk of kidney damage, getting regular kidney function check-ups is necessary. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, or cardiac disease are screened by the doctor for kidney dysfunction as part of routine care for these conditions.

When the kidney is damaged too much, they are unable to perform their function of filtering out the waste from the blood. In such cases, the person is put on dialysis or recommended for a kidney transplant, if suitable.

Kidney transplant surgery is a safe and effective procedure that has a high success rate. It can be a life-saving treatment for many who are suffering from end-stage kidney disease.

Author: Dr. Suneet holds a post-graduate degree in Hospital and Healthcare Management from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and works as an International Patient Coordinator at Lyfboat

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7 Ways To Keep Your Kidneys Healthy