Are your kidneys functioning properly? Read on to learn more!

Most people are born with two functioning kidneys, but how do you know if yours are? Take this opportunity to learn more about these vital organs and what you can do to make sure yours function properly for life.




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What do kidneys do?

Kidneys play a vital role in your overall health. Healthy kidneys make urine, remove waste and extra fluid from your blood, control your body’s chemical balance, regulate your blood pressure, help you maintain healthy bones, and help you produce red blood cells.




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What is chronic kidney disease (CKD)?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), which affects 10 per cent of the population worldwide, is the gradual loss of kidney function. CKD can cause cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke, high blood pressure, weak bones, nerve damage, kidney failure, anemia, and even death.




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CKD: a silent killer

Early chronic kidney disease may present no signs or symptoms. In fact, a person with CKD can lose up to 90 per cent of their kidney function before they experience any symptoms, which is why CKD is known as a silent killer. The disease often goes undetected until it is very advanced, when a person requires dialysis or a transplant.




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Kidneys and women’s health

The focus of the 2018 campaign for World Kidney Day is on kidneys and women’s health. Although CKD affects both men and women, the disease may be more likely to develop in women and is the eighth leading cause of death in women. And yet, there are fewer women on dialysis than men and women also tend to receive fewer transplants. One reason is that CKD progression is slower in women, but there are also psycho-socioeconomic barriers and uneven access to care in many countries, hindering treatment of the disease in women.




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CKD: main causes

The main risk factors of chronic kidney disease are diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and a family history of kidney disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure.




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CKD: additional risk factors

Although chronic kidney disease can affect people of all ages and races, some people are more at risk than others. Additional CKD risk factors include African American, Aboriginal, Hispanic, Asian, or Pacific Islander heritage, seniors aged 60 or older, obesity, low birth weight, prolonged use of NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen), lupus or other autoimmune disorders, chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs), and kidney stones.




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CKD symptoms

Early chronic kidney disease often presents no symptoms. By the time symptoms do occur, a patient’s CKD may be very advanced. Be sure to pay attention if you notice any of the following warning signs: fatigue or weakness, difficult or painful urination, foamy urine, pink or dark urine with blood in it, increased thirst and need to urinate (particularly at night), puffy eyes, and swollen face, hands, abdomen, ankles, and/or feet.




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CKD testing

If you or a family member is at high risk of developing chronic kidney disease, it’s important to get tested, especially since early CKD often presents no symptoms. There are four tests you should ask your family doctor about: blood pressure, protein in urine, creatinine in blood, and glomerular filtration rate. The fourth test is the most sensitive and accurate gauge of kidney function.




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If you have CKD . . .

If you have chronic kidney disease, you will need to take some extra precautions to stay healthy, such as lowering your blood pressure if it is high, maintaining proper blood sugar levels if you are diabetic, and getting an annual flu shot. You will also want to avoid NSAIDs, as prolonged use of these over-the-counter painkillers can lead to kidney damage.




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CKD and the flu

For people with chronic kidney disease, the flu can increase their risk of more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia, lead to hospitalization, and even death. CKD reduces the body’s natural responses to infection, making recovery much more difficult. That is why anyone with CKD should get vaccinated against the flu and follow other basic preventive measures, such as frequent hand washing, avoiding people who are sick, and getting plenty of rest and fluids.




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Nutrition and CKD

If you have chronic kidney disease, you will need to watch certain aspects of your diet to reduce the workload on your kidneys. Start by meeting with a dietitian to determine your specific needs and challenges. For instance, you will likely need to consume protein in moderation, as protein creates a waste called urea that is removed from your blood by your kidneys. If your kidneys aren’t functioning properly, however, urea can build up in your system and cause tiredness, nausea, headaches, and a bad taste in your mouth.




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Stay hydrated

Even if you don’t have chronic kidney disease, you should still take care of your kidneys for optimum health. Be sure to drink plenty of water (four to six glasses a day), but don’t overdo it. According to nephrologist James Simon, MD, “Contrary to popular belief, no studies have proven over-hydration as an effective practice in enhancing kidney function.”




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Eat well and exercise regularly

Because diabetes and high blood pressure can lead to kidney problems, be sure to maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes eating well and exercising regularly to stay fit and trim. But don’t overdo it. “Overexerting yourself when you’re not fit and healthy can put a strain on your kidneys,” says Dr. James Simon.




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Be careful with supplements and herbal remedies

“Excessive amounts of certain vitamin supplements and some herbal extracts” can actually harm your kidneys, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking vitamins and herbal remedies, even if they don’t require a prescription.




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Don’t smoke

Smoking is always a bad idea, but it’s also bad for your kidneys. Smoking damages blood vessels, which in turn decreases blood flow to your kidneys. Without adequate blood flow, your kidneys can’t function properly. Smoking can also lead to high blood pressure (a cause of CKD) and kidney cancer.




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Go easy on OTC drugs

You might think that over-the-counter medications are harmless because they don’t require a prescription, but “common non-prescription pills like ibuprofen and naproxen (NSAIDs) can cause kidney damage if taken too regularly over a prolonged period,” according to Dr. James Simon. If you suffer from chronic pain or arthritis, talk to your doctor about monitoring your kidneys and to see if there are other ways to manage the pain.




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Drink in moderation

It’s always a good idea to consume alcohol in moderation, but it’s especially important if you have kidney disease. Your kidneys act as filters, removing harmful substances from your blood, including alcohol. Alcohol also reduces kidney function, decreasing their ability to filter your blood and maintain the right amount of fluids in your body. Alcohol can also raise your blood pressure, a common cause of kidney disease. What’s more, chronic drinking can damage your liver, adding to your kidneys’ workload.




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Limit salt intake

Sodium affects blood pressure and body fluids—two important aspects of kidney health. You should watch your salt intake, especially if you have kidney disease. Avoid processed foods like deli meats, canned food, fast food, and salty snacks. Cook at home and use other seasonings, such as herbs and spices, instead.




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Maintain a healthy weight

Since high blood pressure is a risk factor of CKD, it is important to maintain a healthy weight. Being too heavy leads to higher blood pressure, so be sure to take steps to achieve a healthy body mass to keep your kidneys healthy and functioning properly.




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Monitor your blood pressure

Many people know that high blood pressure is bad for their heart, but few realize that it’s also the leading cause of kidney damage. Monitor your blood pressure to make sure you stay within healthy levels. If your blood pressure level exceeds 120/80, you will need to make some lifestyle and dietary changes to keep your kidneys—and heart—healthy.




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