Kidney disease is a major health concern. Kidney disease is often overlooked until it has progressed to an advanced stage. Unfortunately, this is when dialysis or a transplant is required.
Get your regular kidney checkup done at the best nephrology hospital in Hyderabad for kidney disease and ensure healthy kidney health.
Your kidneys are fist-sized organs placed on both sides of your spine near the bottom of your rib cage. They serve a variety of purposes. Kidneys purify the blood by filtering waste materials, extra water, and other contaminants. These waste materials are stored in your bladder and then excreted via urine.
The kidneys also control your body’s pH, salt, and potassium levels. They also produce hormones for activating a type of vitamin D that influence the creation of RBCs and regulate blood pressure. Your kidneys also assist your body in absorbing calcium for bone development and muscle regulation by activating a form of vitamin D.
Kidney health is crucial to your overall health and well-being. Regular testing is necessary for everyone, but it is especially critical for those at risk. The aim is to detect kidney disease before it worsens. If your kidneys are healthy, your body will filter and eliminate waste properly and produce hormones to help your body work effectively.
Here are a few tips to look after your kidney fit and functional:
1. Be Active and Maintain Fit
Weight gain and high blood pressure can be avoided with regular physical activity. However, keep in mind how much exercise you get, especially if you are not in shape. Overexerting can lead to significant complications when you are not in good condition, especially if you are at kidney health risk.
Physical activity results in health benefits, including lowering blood pressure, boosting muscle strength, lowering blood fat levels (cholesterol and triglycerides), enhancing sleep, increasing insulin sensitivity, and weight management.
2. Control Your Blood Sugar
Kidney disease, commonly known as (CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) e, can be caused by diabetes (CKD). Preventing chronic kidney disease can be achieved with practices such as maintaining healthy blood sugar and blood pressure level.
You can control your diabetes by following these steps,
- Maintain blood sugar targets.
- Have the blood sugar levels checked for the last three months (A1C test)
- Go for the A1C test at least twice a year, if possible, in every quarter of the year.
- Monitor your blood pressure and maintain healthy levels for kidney health.
- Talk to your doctor about medicines that harm your kidneys and other ways to lower your blood pressure.
Search for the best nephrologist in Hyderabad, India, and get all your queries cleared, from diet to medications.
3. Monitor Blood Pressure
Kidney injury can be initiated by high blood pressure. As soon as high blood pressure is associated with other health problems like diabetes, high cholesterol, or heart disease, the effects on your body can be harmful.
A blood pressure test with a score of 120/80 is regular. You have prehypertension if your test result is 139/89. When your tests result in these numbers, lifestyle and dietary adjustments may help lower your blood pressure.
You may have high blood pressure if your blood pressure measurements are routinely above 140/90. You should consult your doctor about frequently monitoring your blood pressure, making lifestyle modifications, and taking medication.
5. Drink Plenty of Fluids
It is beneficial to the kidneys to drink plenty of water regularly. The popular suggestion to drink eight glasses of water a day is a good aim because it helps stay hydrated—a target of 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day.
The amount of water you require is determined by your health and lifestyle. When planning your daily water intake, consider climate, exercise, gender, overall health, and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. People diagnosed with kidney stones should drink more water to prevent stone deposits.
6. Get Regular Tests and Checkups
If you are diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular illness, your doctor should evaluate you for kidney disease as part of your regular care. The following people may benefit from routine screening:
- people older than 60
- people born with low body weight
- people with cardiovascular diseases or a family with it
- people with high blood pressure
- people who are overweight and obese
- people suspected of kidney damage.
Here are three simple and life-saving tests to detect and ease kidney damage, and you can get them done at the best nephrology hospital in Hyderabad.
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) (blood test)
This test determines how well the kidneys filter the blood. Doctors calculate your glomerular filtration rate by measuring blood creatinine levels and doing a computation (GFR).
A good score exceeds 90. It is essential to keep an eye on people aged 60 to 89. Kidney disease is indicated by a blood pressure of less than 60 for three months.
Blood Pressure (BP test)
High blood pressure can harm the kidneys’ tiny blood vessels (glomeruli). High blood pressure can damage the kidney’s small blood vessels (glomeruli). A score of less than 140/90 is acceptable. It is best to keep your blood pressure below 120/80. If you have chronic kidney disease, keep your blood pressure below 130/80. Consult your healthcare team to determine what is best for you.
Protein in Urine (Urine Test)
Albuminuria (albumin traces in the urine) may be an early indicator of kidney disease. Less than 30 mg of albumin per gram of urine creatinine is a good score. Proteinuria (albumin and other proteins in the urine) indicates kidney impairment.
The Final Word
The kidneys play an essential role in your overall health. They are liable for various tasks, including bodily processing waste and the production of hormones. As a result, taking care of the kidneys should be a significant concern in health. The most crucial thing you can do to protect your kidneys is to take care of your body to lower the chances of acquiring conditions that strain them. Eat Kidney health foods, exercise regularly, and control your weight to greet yourself with healthy kidney signs.
