What can I do to keep my kidneys healthy?

 

Your kidneys are vital organs that filter out waste, regulate your blood vessels and blood pressure, and help your body produce red blood cells. They also activate a form of vitamin D that helps your body absorb calcium for building bones and regulating muscle function.

Maintaining kidney health is important to your overall health and general well-being. By keeping your kidneys healthy, your body will filter and expel waste properly and produce hormones to help your body function properly.

However, your kidneys can be damaged by various factors, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney stones, infections, and aging. Kidney damage can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is a condition where your kidneys lose their ability to function normally. CKD can cause serious complications, such as cardiovascular disease, anemia, bone disease, and kidney failure.

Fortunately, there are ways you can support your kidneys and prevent or delay the progression of CKD. Here are some tips to help you keep your kidneys 

•  Stay hydrated. Drinking enough water is one of the best ways to keep your kidneys healthy. Without adequate water, your kidneys can lose some of their ability to filter your blood, and may even become damaged over time. Dr Partha Banerjee UAE tells us that water also helps prevent kidney stones and urinary tract infections, which can harm your kidneys. Aim for four to six 8-ounce glasses of water a day if you're sedentary, or eight glasses if you're more active or live in a warm climate. Your urine should be fairly clear or straw-colored when you go to the bathroom. If it's any darker than that, then it may be a sign you are dehydrated. Avoid drinking too much caffeine, alcohol, or sugary drinks, as they can dehydrate you and interfere with your kidney function.

•  Manage your blood sugar. If you have diabetes, or a condition that causes high blood sugar, you may develop kidney damage over time. High blood sugar can damage the small blood vessels in your kidneys, reducing their ability to filter waste and fluids from your blood. This can lead to protein leakage in your urine, swelling in your legs and feet, and high blood pressure. To prevent or slow down kidney damage from diabetes, you need to keep your blood sugar levels under control. Follow your doctor's advice on diet, exercise, medication, and monitoring your blood sugar regularly. You may also need to take a urine test once a year to check for protein in your urine, which is a sign of kidney damage.

•  Monitor your blood pressure. High blood pressure can also damage your kidneys by putting extra strain on the small arteries within them. This can impair their filtering ability and cause scarring and hardening of the kidney tissue. High blood pressure is also a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which can worsen kidney problems. To protect your kidneys from high blood pressure, you need to keep your blood pressure at a target set by your doctor, which is typically less than 140/90 mm Hg. You can lower your blood pressure by eating a low-salt diet, reducing stress, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking. You may also need to take medication prescribed by your doctor to control your blood pressure.

•  Monitor your weight and eat a balanced diet. Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure, which are both harmful to your kidneys. Losing weight can help lower these risks and improve your kidney function. To achieve a healthy weight, you need to eat a balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy products. Avoid foods that are high in salt, sugar, fat, and cholesterol, as they can raise your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. You may also need to limit certain nutrients that can build up in your blood if you have kidney problems, such as potassium, phosphorus, and protein. Your doctor or dietitian can advise you on how much of these nutrients you need based on your kidney function.

•  Stay active. Physical activity is good for more than just your waistline. It can also lower your risk of developing CKD by improving your blood circulation, lowering your blood pressure and blood sugar levels,

and strengthening your muscles and bones. Exercise can also boost your mood and energy levels,

and prevent depression and anxiety that can affect your kidney health. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise on most days of the week. You can choose any activity that you enjoy

and that suits your fitness level, such as walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, or dancing. Partha Banerjee Dubai says You can also do some strength training and stretching exercises to improve your muscle tone and flexibility. Before starting any exercise program, consult your doctor to make sure it is safe for you.

•  Stop smoking. Smoking is bad for your kidneys in many ways. It can damage the blood vessels in your kidneys, reducing their blood flow and oxygen supply. It can also increase your blood pressure and heart rate, making your kidneys work harder. Smoking can also worsen existing kidney problems and increase your risk of kidney cancer. Quitting smoking can improve your kidney health and lower your risk of other diseases, such as lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. There are many resources and programs available to help you quit smoking, such as nicotine patches, gums, lozenges, inhalers, sprays, counseling, and support groups. Ask your doctor for advice on how to quit smoking effectively and safely.

•  Monitor your over-the-counter (OTC) pill intake. Some OTC medications, such as painkillers, antacids, laxatives, and cold remedies, can be harmful to your kidneys if you take them too often or in high doses. These medications can cause inflammation, bleeding, or obstruction in your kidneys, or interfere with their function. To prevent kidney damage from OTC medications, you need to follow the instructions on the label carefully and avoid taking more than the recommended dose or duration. According to Partha Banerjee Mumbai you also need to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medication, especially if you have kidney problems or other health conditions. You may need to avoid certain medications or take lower doses depending on your kidney function.

•  Test your kidneys. If you have any risk factors for kidney disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure,

family history of kidney problems, or older age, you should get your kidneys checked regularly by your doctor. A simple blood test and urine test can measure how well your kidneys are working and detect any signs of damage or infection. Early detection and treatment of kidney problems can prevent or delay the progression of CKD and its complications. You should also report any symptoms that may indicate kidney problems to your doctor, such as changes in your urine color or volume, swelling in your legs or feet,

fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, itching, or back pain.

By following these tips, you can keep your kidneys healthy and prevent or manage CKD. However,

if you have advanced CKD or kidney failure, you may need more specialized care and treatment,

such as dialysis or kidney transplant. In such cases, you can consult experts in the field of renal care,