March is the nation kidney month! It’s also the month of my birthday! Coincidence? I don’t think so! 😛 This is clearly a sign for me to talk to you more about this subject!
To start this month, I’ll start with the basis: what’s the point of a kidney?
What are the kidneys?
They are two bean-shaped organs on each side of the spine. They are located at the height of the elbows, towards the back of the torso. A normal kidney is the size of a closed fist and weighs about 150 grams.
What’s the purpose of a kidney?
One of the main tasks of the kidneys is to filter the blood and return it to the rest of the body once cleaned. They remove excess water and waste in our body, and all this waste is sent into the bladder in the form of urine. Basically, they allow the body to achieve an adequate balance of water and minerals. The kidneys produce between 1 to 2 liters of urine per day, depending on the amount of water drunk.
Every minute, about a liter of blood (out of 5 liters) passes through the kidneys to be cleaned.
They also help control blood pressure (by controlling the amount of salt and producing an enzyme – renin) and stimulate the production of red blood cells. They also secrete different hormones essential for the functioning of the body, and take care of part of the maintenance of the bones (by regulating the level of calcium and phosphorus in the blood).
The kidneys are a redundant system, that is, although we normally have two kidneys, one kidney is enough to do the job. Thus, if one of the kidneys is compromised, the blood can still be filtered well by the other kidney if it is still healthy. Some people are even born with only one kidney, and can live without problems. Some people even give a kidney to someone in their lifetime, and live very well the rest of their lives.
How to preserve the health of your kidneys?
Manage your blood pressure, and reduce your risk of diabetes and cholesterol
Controlling your blood pressure is one of the most effective ways to slow the progression of kidney failure. Measure your blood pressure from time to time, at different times of the day, to check it. If you are worried about your numbers, consult your doctor.
To preserve the health of your kidneys, reduce your intake of salt and sugar to reduce the risk of blood pressure or diabetes. Indeed, diabetes is also a risk factor for developing kidney failure.
If you already have problems with your blood pressure, diabetes or cholesterol, make sure they are checked regularly to ensure proper control of values.
Know the effects of your medications on our kidneys
Medication that you take frequently for different reasons can also have a serious impact on your kidneys. For example, anti-inflammatories (Advil or Motrin for example) are known to be able to damage the kidneys, especially if they are used in high doses for long periods of time. Other medications should be regularly adjusted according to the weight and age of the individual to avoid kidney damage. If you want to learn more about the impact of your medications on your kidneys, talk to your doctor or pharmacist!
Slow down the normal aging of the body with a healthy lifestyle
Like all organs in the body, the kidneys age with age. The only thing you can do to slow down this aging is to keep yourself healthy by eating well and stay active on a regular basis. Exercising regularly is also a protective factor since a healthy weight allows you to better control blood pressure than when you are overweight.
Smoking is especially harmful for people with chronic kidney disease, since smoking can increase the risk of end-stage kidney disease. Another good reason to quit smoking!
The kidneys are really essential to the functioning of the human body! If you’ve learned something, let your networks benefit by sharing this article!
