Your kidneys play a key role in the maintenance of your internal health and keeping them in tip top shape is vital to your overall well being. Not only do they filter waste products from your system, but they also regulate your hormones to help your body function optimally.
If you suffer from health problems surrounding your kidneys, or you’re simply interested in keeping them healthy, there are some changes that you can easily make to your lifestyle to help you do this. In this article, we’ll be discussing the role of the kidneys in the body, why kidney health is important and our top tips for keeping your kidneys healthy.
What Is the Role of the Kidneys?
Understanding what your kidneys actually do is one of the first steps to take when it comes to improving their health. These small but powerful organs play a central role in the removal of waste products and toxins from the body, while returning nutrients to the bloodstream. On top of this, they also regulate the levels of salt, potassium and acid in the body, as well as producing hormones that impact blood pressure and red blood cell production, which makes the kidneys a vital organ that the human body depends on for survival.
Why Is Kidney Health Important?
Statistics show that roughly 10% of the worldwide adult population suffer from chronic kidney disease, a condition caused by damage that occurs over a long period of time, so it’s important that you are aware of the different steps you can take to support your kidney health. While chronic kidney disease affects a lot of people, it can sometimes trigger more serious conditions such as renal vein thrombosis or kidney failure, which can be life-threatening if not caught early and tackled with the right treatment.
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How to Keep Your Kidneys Healthy?
Keeping your kidneys healthy is vital to your overall well being, so there are some simple things you can implement into your lifestyle to help.
Eat Healthily: Maintaining a healthy diet is one of the best ways to keep your kidneys healthy and avoid the worsening of chronic kidney disease. Regularly eating a range of fruits and vegetables, as well as reducing the salt levels in the food you consume can help you to manage your micronutrient levels and promote good kidney health.
Drink More Water: A primary role of the kidneys is to remove excess fluid from the body, and drinking more water allows them to function optimally by clearing unwanted toxins and sodium. People who have had kidney stones in the past will require a higher water intake level than other individuals, but exactly how much water you should be taking in for kidney health depends on a variety of factors such as your age, activity level and other health metrics.
Limit Alcohol Intake: One of the biggest causes of chronic kidney disease is excessive alcohol consumption, so if you’re trying to get healthy, cutting back on your weekly intake is a good place to start. There are some great resources available online, or through your doctor, which can give you advice on the recommended intake levels.
Monitor Medication Consumption: A little-known fact about over the counter medications (OTPs) is the damaging impact that overuse can have on the kidneys. Certain anti-inflammatory drugs like naproxen and ibuprofen can cause chronic damage to your kidneys with frequent use, so if you regularly take medications for migraines or pain, try to explore some alternative treatments or approach your doctor for additional support instead.
Take Part in Regular Exercise: Exercise comes with a whole host of benefits for your health and wellbeing, and can help you to lower your blood pressure, maintain a healthy weight and improve your cardiovascular health. On top of this, it’s great for your kidneys – keeping your body healthy and sticking to a consistent exercise routine allows your kidneys to function normally, reducing the risk of chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure.
Remember That Prevention Is Better Than Cure: If you struggle with kidney disease, then it’s vital that you take steps early to stop any progression in its tracks. Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to kidney health, but there are plenty of ways you can track your health before kidney problems become an issue. One of the best ways to do this is by getting a kidney MRI scan through Ezra. MRIs are a painless procedure that provide a complete assessment of your kidneys, giving your doctors information about their functionality and the presence of any conditions like cancer, tumors or infection. A preventative kidney MRI from Ezra offers you the opportunity to get not only an overall understanding of your kidney health, but also a chance to catch the early warning signs of any potential illness or deterioration.
Taking care of your kidneys is one of the greatest investments that you can make for your long-term health and wellbeing. These organs are a vital part of your body’s functionality and damaging them can leave you with health concerns that can affect you for the rest of your life. By following the top tips in this guide, you can be sure that you’re making the right choices when it comes to prioritizing your kidneys in the healthiest way possible.
