Kidney Month

Hey y’all!  March is National Kidney Month and as a dietitian that considers herself a kidney dietitian, I couldn’t let this month pass without addressing kidney health. As someone who works with people who have chronic kidney disease (CKD), I see firsthand the need to educate the public on kidney health. This includes educating society on the causes, the symptoms, and how to prevent kidney disease. So, let’s start with the basics. What is kidney disease? Kidney disease is when the kidneys are damaged and they cannot filter (clean) our blood the way they should to keep us healthy.  Do you know there are 37 million American adults with kidney disease? And of those with CKD, 90% of them do not even know they have it until the late stages. This is why chronic kidney disease is also known as the “silent disease.”

What is the kidney’s role in the body? 

When you think about the kidneys, what do you think they do? Some people know that they produce urine. Others may say they help to clean the body. But did you know the kidneys have many functions in our bodies? Yes, they are responsible for removing extra fluid and toxins through our urine. The kidneys also:

Make an active form of vitamin D that helps to keep our bones healthy and strong. 

They help with red blood cell production.

Aid in controlling our blood pressure by releasing hormones.

Help to balance minerals in our bodies which include: phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and sodium.

What are the causes and risk factors for kidney disease?

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of CKD. They account for 3 out of 4 cases in America. Genetic disorders like polycystic kidney disease can also lead to CKD.  Infections and drugs that are toxic to the kidneys can lead to CKD.  A disease like Lupus which may impact the whole body can also be a cause.  Additional risk factors include age, family history, obesity, cardiovascular disease, smoking, and being a part of a group that has a high rate of diabetes like African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and American Indians.

Symptoms associated with kidney disease?

As stated earlier, most people do not experience any symptoms with the earlier stages of CKD. If they do have symptoms, they may attribute it to something else. With that said, the following are symptoms of CKD:  experiencing frequent urination, decreased urination, itchy skin, nausea, vomiting, feeling more tired, having less energy, having a poor appetite, having trouble sleeping, your feet and ankles swelling, having muscle cramping at night, headaches, trouble with concentrating and weight loss. Do you have any of these symptoms? If you have one or more of the above risk factors and are experiencing some of these symptoms, contact your doctor to get evaluated.

How to keep your kidneys healthy?

Keeping our kidneys healthy is the most important way to prevent CKD. We can do this by managing diseases that lead to kidney disease. If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugars under control.  With high blood pressure keep your numbers at 140/90 or lower. Making diet changes like eating a balanced diet, reducing salt intake, increasing whole grains, and eating more fruits and vegetables can help with kidney health. Being physically active also helps with kidney health. As well as quitting smoking, getting enough sleep, and getting to a weight that is healthy for you.  Keep up with your doctor’s appointments and get regular checkups.  Take your medications as prescribed, ask questions if you do not understand something, and ask to have your kidneys checked if you have concerns.

For more information regarding CKD, please refer to the sources below that were used for this post.

Sources for Post:

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease www.niddk.nih.gov

National Kidney Foundation www.kidney.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov