The kidneys greatly affect your overall health and quality of life by working to filter toxins from your bloodstream. If you don’t currently have kidney damage or disease, these tips can help you maintain that health. However, if your kidney function has declined due to an auto-immune disease such as Lupus, or even due to damage because of toxins and medications, it’s important to take extra care of what function you have. Here’s how.
Diet
Diet plays a key role in keeping you healthy and directly affects your body’s ability to keep your blood clean. Foods should be healthy, and your diet balanced. Getting key nutrients is vital, but if you have too much of something that your kidneys are having a hard time reabsorbing or filtering out, then it could be a problem. Seeing a registered dietician is recommended so they can evaluate your health needs and give you the best healthy eating advice possible, because not everyone’s dietary needs and restrictions are the same.
Monitoring Your Health
If your body isn’t well maintained, then you can bet your kidneys won’t be, either. The health of your blood, in particular, directly affects your kidneys and reflects their level of functionality. Your blood pressure is taken every time you go to the doctor, so feel free to ask them for that data so that you can monitor trends for abnormalities. If you feel low on energy, need to visit the bathroom too frequently, or have an unexplainably high appetite, your blood sugar levels may be either too low or too high. If this goes on for more than a day or two, then get your blood sugar checked by a doctor in case you have contracted, or are contracting diabetes. If you feel dizzy or faint, that can indicate that the oxygen or iron levels in your blood are low. If you have or suspect you have a chronic condition, then at-home materials like a Pulse/Ox meter, a blood glucose monitor, and blood pressure cuff can be purchased at a pharmacy. Your insurance may cover these items, so be sure to ask.
Things to Avoid
There are certain things that we know cause stress or even damage to your kidneys. Certain NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-flammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can cause kidney damage if taken in excess. These can be purchased over the counter, but like any medication, you need to monitor your intake and follow the instructions that come with them. If you feel the need to take them every day for a long period of time, then you have a chronic condition that you need to see a doctor about to get the proper prescription. Common medications like these aren’t as safe for those with kidney issues and may even cause issues in healthy individuals. A smoking habit can also damage your lungs, which bring oxygen to the bloodstream, and your blood vessels themselves. This can reduce blood flow to your kidneys resulting in more damage. While your body can potentially heal from smoking damage over time after quitting, continued smoking causes continued damage, and may lead to the necessity for kidney failure treatment.
Medical Solution
While genetics play a major role in kidney health, your habits in how you take care of yourself play an equally powerful role. Without the proper care and maintenance of your kidneys, kidney failure is the all-too common result. If this is the case, you may find dialysis can help you live a higher quality of life while waiting for a kidney transplant. If you have not yet reached that stage of kidney failure but notice a downward trend in your kidney health, then seeking out professional help immediately is crucial to preventing irreparable results.
Caring for kidneys that aren’t up to par already, as we mentioned, is vitally important. While your kidneys may not be perfect, taking care of what you have will ensure that you live the fullest life your body can provide. If your kidneys are functioning well, don’t take that for granted. Following these tips, keep your doctor appointments, and make sure your health professionals are aware of your medical treatments and lifestyle to ensure that your kidneys are able to do their job and do it well.
