Maintain Kidney Health With The Following 7 Ways – Kidneys are one of the important organs in the human body. This organ plays a role in filtering waste products, regulating water balance, filtering other impurities from the blood, controlling blood pressure, controlling salt content, and other roles.
The kidneys are the size of a fist and are located under the ribs, on both sides of the spine. The virtue of this organ, makes everyone have to take care of their health.
Then, what can be done to maintain kidney health?
Launching Healthline, regular exercise can reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease. In addition, exercise can reduce blood pressure and improve heart health. Both are important to prevent kidney damage.
Keeping the body active does not have to be strenuous exercise, but can be done by walking, cycling, or running.
People with diabetes, or conditions that cause high blood sugar, can develop kidney damage. When the body’s cells cannot use the glucose (sugar) in the blood, the kidneys are forced to work extra hard to filter the blood.
If this goes on for a long time, it can cause life-threatening kidney damage. Controlled blood sugar will reduce the risk of kidney damage.
High blood pressure can cause kidney damage. High blood pressure coupled with other health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, or high cholesterol, will have a significant impact on the body. Thus, it is necessary to monitor and maintain blood pressure at a normal level.
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Monitor weight and consume healthy food
People who are overweight or obese are at risk for a number of health conditions that damage the kidneys. A healthy diet low in sodium, processed meats, and other kidney-damaging foods can help reduce the risk of kidney damage.
Consume fresh, natural foods that are low in sodium, such as cauliflower, fish, whole grains, blueberries, and others.
According to the official NHS website, drinking plenty of fluids will help your kidneys function properly. At least, try to drink eight glasses per day or target 1.5-2 liters a day.
Regular water intake is healthy for the kidneys, as water helps to flush sodium and toxins from this organ and lowers the risk of chronic kidney disease.
What needs to be underlined is that water needs are adjusted to lifestyle and other factors such as climate, exercise, gender, overall health, to conditions of pregnancy or breastfeeding.
People who have previously had kidney stones should drink more water to help prevent stone buildup in the future.
Smoking damages the body’s blood vessels, which causes slower blood flow throughout the body and kidneys. Smoking habits also increase the risk of kidney cancer.
If you quit smoking, your risk will go down, but it can take years to return to the risk level of someone who has never smoked.
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Be aware of the amount of medicine you take
If you regularly take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, this can cause kidney damage. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen and naproxen can damage the kidneys if taken regularly for chronic pain, headaches, or arthritis.
Taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for ulcers or GERD for a long time can increase your chances of developing chronic kidney disease. Launching WebMD, a person should also be careful when taking antibiotics, such as penicillins, sulfonamides, and cephalosporins, because too often can damage the kidneys.
Consult your doctor about safe kidney care if you have to take the above medicines.
Source: kompas.com
