According to the National Kidney Foundation, over 26 million Americans suffer from chronic kidney disease and millions of others are at risk. Kidney disease decreases the health and functioning of your kidneys. This decrease can negatively affect other organs and body functions. Keeping your kidneys healthy to prevent kidney disease takes knowledge of your risk factors and changes to your lifestyle and eating habits.
Role of Healthy Kidneys
Healthy kidneys help to keep toxins from building up in your bloodstream. Your kidneys filter excess fluids and waste from your body and make hormones to keep your bones strong. If your kidneys are not healthy they will not work as effectively. Poor functioning kidneys can result in the build-up of waste in your bloodstream, which can negatively impact your blood pressure and decrease your red blood cell count.
Symptoms of Kidney Disease
Kidney disease can develop without symptoms. Understanding the risk factors for kidney disease can increase your awareness of possible symptoms that can be related to kidney disease. High blood pressure, diabetes and a family history of kidney disease are risk factors that should prompt you to talk with your doctor about your kidney health. Possible symptoms that your kidney function is declining may include puffiness in the skin around your eyes, swollen feet and ankles, muscle cramping at night, trouble sleeping, fatigue, increased urination, dry or itchy skin and decreased appetite.
Causes
Chronic kidney disease mainly develops in people who suffer from diabetes or high blood pressure. Poorly controlled diabetes can cause considerable damage over time to your kidneys. Elevated blood sugar levels can damage the kidneys, and as time progresses the damage may lead to kidney disease. High blood pressure increases the pressure on your blood vessels, which can contribute to the development of kidney disease.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, other less common causes of kidney disease include autoimmune disorders, repeated urinary infections, enlarged prostate or obstructions from kidney stones, inherited diseases or glomerulonephritis -- conditions that damage the kidneys and prevent proper filtering of waste.
Prevention
Eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise and avoid unhealthy weight gain to reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. If you already suffer from diabetes keeping your blood sugar at healthy levels can help decrease your risk of kidney disease. Checking your blood sugar levels often and remaining at a healthy weight can make your blood sugar levels easier to manage.
Keep your blood pressure at healthy levels by eating a diet low in sodium. Avoid drinking more than two alcoholic beverages a day if you are a man and one drink a day if you are a woman. Stop smoking or avoid it entirely. Smoking raises your blood pressure. If you think you are at risk or exhibiting symptoms of kidney disease talk to your doctor right away. The sooner the disease is caught the better the prognosis.
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