Understanding Your Kidney

The kidneys are a natural cleaning system for your body. Each kidney has around a million tiny filters that process about 40 gallons of fluid every day! When your blood passes through them, these filters hold onto the good stuff, like nutrients and water, and flush away harmful wastes in the urine.

Your kidneys also produce hormones that help control your blood pressure, make red blood cells, and keep your bones strong by activating vitamin D.

As we age, we naturally lose a bit of kidney function, but most people can still live well with just one kidney. However, if an underlying kidney disease is present, it can be a cause for concern. About 1 in 10 adults, roughly 20 million people, show some sign of kidney damage.

The tricky part is that symptoms of kidney disease often appear very late. Chronic kidney disease, where the filters in the kidneys worsen slowly, might show little to no symptoms until it’s quite advanced.

Risk factors for kidney disease include heart disease and a family history of kidney failure. It’s crucial to get screened: a urine test to look for kidney damage, and a blood test to measure the kidney function.

Knowing your numbers, especially the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which estimates your kidney’s filtering ability, is vital. Catching kidney disease early can slow down its progression. If left untreated, it can lead to kidney failure, which might require a kidney transplant or dialysis.

Take these steps to keep your kidneys healthy:

• Control your blood pressure
• maintain a healthy lifestyle
• adopt a kidney-friendly diet.

Eating less sodium, more fruits and vegetables, and opt for lean meats can make a big difference.

Don’t wait! Talk to your doctor, and take the first step in keeping your kidneys happy and healthy.