Take time to consider your kidney health
By Dr. Paul Mayer, El Paso County Public Health Medical Director
When it comes to our health, most of us know the basics: eat healthy, get plenty of exercise and regular sleep, visit the doctor for regular checkups, and watch out for serious conditions like heart disease, cancer and diabetes. But there are other diseases and conditions that most of us are less familiar with that can pose major health concerns.
March is National Kidney Month, a great time to consider the health of the organs that work hard for you every day, serving as your body’s primary filtration system. Your kidneys do a lot for you, and they need your help to stay healthy.
How kidneys work
Most people have two kidneys that filter their blood — about 200 quarts of it every day! Because of the hard work of our kidneys, most people urinate about two quarts each day as the kidneys rid the blood of waste.
Kidneys also work to balance your body’s fluids and electrolytes. Not sure what electrolytes are beyond the fact that they are advertised on your favorite sports drink? An electrolyte is an essential mineral, like the sodium you eat on your potato chips or the potassium in your morning banana.
Kidneys can also make sugar if your blood doesn’t have enough, make a protein that increases blood pressure, produce hormones that help you absorb calcium and make red blood cells.
Kidney health issues
Kidney disease is common and serious, but it doesn’t always cause symptoms, especially during the early stages. Kidney conditions are most common in those with diabetes or high blood pressure, although people with certain genetic conditions or those who are injured in the kidney area are also at risk. Some symptoms you may experience if your kidneys are struggling include muscle cramps, dark-colored urine (which can be a sign of blood in the urine), foamy urine (which can be a sign of protein in the urine), needing to urinate more than usual, difficulty/pain when you urinate, increased thirst, itchy/dry skin, puffy eyes, swollen ankles and feet, feeling tired, lack of appetite, stomach pain and vomiting.
You may have heard of kidney stones, which can be painful (and dangerous if urine flow is blocked), but kidneys are susceptible to other issues as well. Kidney conditions include, but are not limited to the following:
- Chronic kidney disease: This condition may lessen kidney function and is caused by medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, as well as genetic conditions such as polycystic kidney disease.
- Kidney cancer
- Kidney failure: This can come on slowly from chronic kidney disease and have relatively few symptoms early on. This can also come on suddenly from issues such as kidney infection, blockage of the flow of urine from kidney stones, conditions that block the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder (ureters) or conditions that block urine from coming out of the bladder (urethra). Sudden onset kidney failure is more likely to have symptoms right away.
Kidney disease can also lead to nerve damage, cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, weak bones, high blood pressure, stroke and anemia/low red blood cell count. Kidney disease also causes a weakened immune system. If you think you may be experiencing problems with your kidneys, let your doctor know right away. A variety of medical tests can be used to tell if there is something wrong with your kidneys. Once the diagnosis is determined, your doctor can recommend a treatment plan.
What you can do to keep your kidneys healthy
As always, the best treatment is prevention, and the good news is that taking care of your kidneys involves many of the same steps as caring for the rest of your health. Important habits include avoiding tobacco products, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, drinking plenty of water, avoiding excess salt, limiting your use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like aspirin and ibuprofen), monitoring your blood pressure and watching your blood sugar levels if you are diabetic.
Certain conditions put you at a higher risk for kidney problems. You should have your kidney function checked regularly if you have a family history of kidney disease, have diabetes, have high blood pressure, or have heart disease. The American Society of Nephrology recommends routine screening for kidney disease for all adults, though other medical organizations recommend a risk-based screening approach. You should discuss this with your medical provider.Remember, if you are wondering if you may be experiencing kidney problems, it’s always best to visit your doctor right away. Now that you know how to keep your kidneys healthy and how to know when something is wrong, you can take steps today to ensure your body’s filtration system stays in great condition!
