National Kidney Month is in March!
Let’s learn about kidney health, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and steps we can take to take care of our kidneys.
What are our Kidneys?
The kidneys are in our lower back, right below our rib cage. Their main function is to filter out waste, toxins, and extra fluids from your blood. They also help in controlling blood pressure, signaling to make red blood cells, keep bones healthy, and regulate chemicals in the blood. With all these important functions, it’s important to keep our kidneys in top shape.
How can we keep our kidneys healthy?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following to keep our kidneys healthy and help prevent chronic kidney disease:
• Lose weight if you are overweight or obese.
• Be active. Physical activity helps control blood sugar levels.
• If you smoke, quit as soon as possible.
• Take all your medicines as prescribed.
• Stay in your target cholesterol range.
• Eat foods lower in salt.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink. Alcohol can increase your risk of high blood pressure.
• Get your flu shot every year. People with CKD have a higher risk of severe illness from the flu.
• Meet blood sugar targets if you have diabetes
• Check your blood pressure if you have hypertension
What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?
CKD is the loss of kidney function over time. If left untreated, it can progress to kidney failure and increase the risk of heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and early death. Some risk factors for CKD including:
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Obesity
• Family history of CKD
• Older age
If you have any of these risk factors, it’s essential to see your doctor for regular testing and early detection.
Key Takeaways
By making healthy lifestyle choices and staying informed, you can improve your kidney health and prevent kidney disease. Early detection and proactive care are important for maintaining healthy kidneys and avoiding long-term complications. For more information on kidney health, visit the National Kidney Foundation website.
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About the Author
Monserrat Carrillo-Rodriguez is a social and community health specialist. The Integrated Health Disparities program tackles health issues with an integrated lens of physical, mental, and community health, providing programs and resources to address health inequities. She has experience working with diverse audiences both in Chicago and Champaign focused on disease prevention and health education. Monserrat is a two-time graduate of the University of Illinois, earning a bachelor’s degree in community health in 2020 and a master’s degree in public health in 2021. She works to reduce the burden of health disparities among vulnerable populations through evidence-based health behavior interventions and health education