5 tips for lessening your risk of kidney disease

Kidney Disease

The kidney disease is becoming more prevalent in the UK population. It is either due to high blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of kidney failure. People are usually born with a set of two kidneys, but you only need one to go on. Each day, our kidneys filter around 200 litres of blood, removing 2 litres of toxins, wastes and water in the process. Wastes and water ultimately leave the body as urine, and through this process, your kidneys can regulate the body’s fluid levels. The kidneys also release hormones which regulate the blood pressure, create red blood cells and help to maintain healthy bones. Often the kidneys are damaged slowly over time. Protect your kidneys by following five tips for lessening your risk of kidney disease.

1. Get tested.

If you are at risk for the kidney disease, it’s essential to get your kidneys checked during your annual physical test. Even the best of us can hesitate when it comes to our yearly trip to the physician, but prevention and testing always go hand-in-hand.

2. Control blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two principal causes of kidney disease. The kidney is a vascular organ, indicating it holds many blood vessels. Therefore, diseases which damage the blood vessels, like high blood pressure and diabetes, can also damage the kidneys. Even pre-hypertension and elevated blood sugar levels (pre-diabetes) can damage the kidneys.  Manage these conditions to protect your kidneys.

3. Step on the scale.

Maintaining a healthy weight has significant implications for your kidneys. Being obese means that the kidneys have to work a lot harder to filter out bodily toxins and to meet the metabolic needs of the extended body mass. Obesity also doubles your chance of developing diabetes as well as high blood pressure. These are two major risk factors for kidney disease. Weight loss can help decrease your risk.

4. Commit to quit.

Heavy smoking can worsen kidney disease and diseases which damage the kidneys, like high blood pressure and diabetes. Quitting can be challenging, but it is one of the most necessary lifestyle changes that you can make to protect your kidneys and positively influence your overall health.

5. Exercise caution when taking pain medicines.

Many online pharmacies offer prescription delivery service in Coventry. Many such prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines, including the pain medications, get filtered by the kidneys. This means that your kidneys break down and remove these drugs from the body. So, always read the labels and weigh the risks and advantages of taking a distinct drug. Avoid excessive use of drugs which can harm the kidneys, such as naproxen and ibuprofen.