Keep kidneys healthy: Your kidneys may be small in size, but they play a big role in keeping your body healthy. They are responsible for filtering waste and impurities from the body. They also play a vital role in maintaining optimal fluid balance and producing hormones that regulate blood pressure.
Hence, you must maintain your kidney health in the long run. Here are 7 simple ways to do so.
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Stay active:
Regular exercise keeps your body active, helps lower blood pressure and improves circulation. All these factors play a role in preventing kidney damage.
Keeping your body physically active can also help you maintain weight. People who are overweight have a greater chance of developing kidney disease.
Drink enough fluids:
Regular and consistent water intake is healthy for your kidneys. Aim for 6–8 glasses a day. The quantity of water that you need largely depends on your health and lifestyle habits. Don’t over-exert the kidneys with too much fluid.
Eat a balanced diet:
Eat food that’s good for your kidneys. Include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Limit foods that are high in salt, have saturated fat or excess sugar.
Keep a tab on your blood sugar levels:
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of kidney disease. Diabetes can lead to diabetic nephropathy, a condition where consistently high blood sugar levels gradually damage the kidneys, potentially resulting in permanent loss of kidney function. If you’re diabetic or prediabetic, keeping your blood sugar within range is key to protecting your kidneys.
Maintain your blood pressure:
Hypertension can also lead to Chronic Kidney Disease. High blood pressure puts intense strain on blood vessels, causing them to become narrow and rigid. When kidney vessels are affected, they struggle to filter out excess fluid, leading to increased blood volume and even higher pressure. This cycle can spiral, ultimately resulting in kidney failure.
Avoid smoking:
Smoking reduces blood flow to the kidneys and puts them at an increased risk for cancer. Tobacco smoke contains cadmium, a harmful metal that can damage kidney nephrons even at low exposure levels. What makes it more dangerous is its tendency to build up in the kidneys over time, potentially causing long-term damage.
Limit alcohol consumption:
Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration, increase blood pressure and disrupt electrolyte balance. Chronic alcohol use can also worsen existing kidney disease and interfere with medications used to manage the condition.
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Your kidneys are vital for your overall well-being. Most people who have chronic kidney disease do not realise it until it’s too late. Hence, have regular kidney function tests, especially if you are obese or dealing with diabetes or hypertension. Visit a medical expert if you experience cloudy urine, blood in urine, or frequent UTIs.