Moms and Dads
How to Take Care and Maintain Healthy Kidneys
They say “Prevention is better than cure.” And with kidney-related illnesses increasing in recent years, we look into what you can do to keep your kidneys healthy!
In case you don’t know, March 14 has been declared World Kidney Day. This global campaign aims to raise awareness about how important our kidneys are to our overall health. It helps in excreting toxins and excess water from our system. On top of all that, the kidney also helps control the body’s blood pressure and make red blood cells, and our bones healthy.
But it’s also one of the most delicate parts of the body that can be easily damaged if not treated and taken care of properly.
In recent years, kidney illnesses have spiked worldwide—which has caused many people to be highly dependent on dialysis. This treatment is used on people whose kidneys aren’t working as they should. Simply put, dialysis does the work for your body. It removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood. Plus, this treatment needs to be done frequently.
Taking a loved one, most especially a family member to dialysis can be emotionally and physically draining. The thing is, these kidney-related illnesses can be inherited genetically, a result of aging, or an effect of injuries and conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and lupus, which can damage kidneys and lead to kidney disease.
As the saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure.” Here are some ways to take care of your kidneys and keep them healthy.
1. Get tested for hereditary or underlying kidney conditions.
A lot of may not know it but kidney diseases can be hereditary. It’s always best to have a check-up with a doctor, especially a nephrologist. The nephrologist will then give the necessary instructions on what to do—especially when it comes to medication and food intake.
2. Maintain an active lifestyle.
We’ve always been told that exercising is crucial for one’s health. Just because the kidney is an internal organ doesn’t mean we should not move around. Movement and keeping fit are crucial, as this lowers blood pressure and controls blood sugar levels.
3. Eat balanced meals.
Eating right is crucial for your health—and even more so if you’re at risk or have any kidney diseases! Make sure to have enough fruits and vegetables in your diet, along with the right amount of protein. And always, always load up on water to cleanse and hydrate!
Before taking any vitamins and supplements, it’s very important to consult a nutritionist to know what kind of vitamins and minerals your body needs and how often you’ll need to take them. The same goes with starting a diet—you’ll need to know if your body can handle it!
4. Remember to rehydrate and rehydrate!
Consistent fluid helps—not just in rehydrating, but also in cleaning out toxins from your body. Those with kidney conditions especially kidney stones should drink more fluid to help prevent stone deposits. The consumption of fluid depends on your lifestyle but it is recommended to consume 1.5 to 2 liters in a day, or 8 glasses a day.
5. Be careful with over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.
If you’re taking over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, chances are you might be damaging your kidneys. Medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or other NSAIDs can hurt the kidneys if taken for more than 10 days.
It’s always important to consult your doctor on the medications or alternatives. Sometimes too many pills might aggravate not just the kidney, but other organs in the body.
Healthy kidneys for a healthy body!
Taking care of one’s body is challenging but this is very important in the long run, given all the risks and factors that can threaten our health. Kidney care like other conditions requires a modification in lifestyle so it’s not just about talking but walking what needs to be done.
More Health and Wellness stories!
Essential Vitamins and Minerals That Keep Moms Healthy and Strong
Why February is National Dental Health Month in the Philippines
