Observed on the 12th of March, World Kidney Day Celebration is an attempt to educate people about the severity of kidney diseases and encourage them to get periodic kidney tests which is a vital pre-requisite to early diagnosis
Did you know…?
In India, 1 out of 10 people is diagnosed with some form of Kidney Disease. Although most kidney diseases are preventable & curable, they are still highly prevalent not just in India but across the globe as well. The bad news here is that in more than half of the cases, patients don’t even realize that they have a kidney disease until almost 60% of their kidney is affected or damaged. Here are a few very important facts that every individual should know about this bean-shaped organ within the body:
Fact 1 – Situated on both sides of the spine, Kidneys not only purify the blood, but also:
- Regulate the proportion of water within the body
- Discard toxins & drugs introduces into the body
- Release hormones into the blood
- Keep blood pressure in control
- Help in the production of red blood cells
- Remove wastes & fluid from the body
- Promote healthy bone development
Fact 2 – Diabetes, High blood pressure and Hardening of the arteries are 3 of the most common causes of Kidney diseases. People suffering from any of these illnesses, are more susceptible than others to develop Kidney diseases at any point of time. Avoid these Kidney damaging habits:
- Delaying urination
- Excessive Salt intake
- Eating too much meat
- Caffeine Dependency
- Reduced intake of water
- Delaying periodic medical check-ups/ Delayed Treatment
Fact 2 – Kidney disease can be a silent killer mainly due to the fact that it rarely shows obvious symptoms. Watch out for these signs:
- Alteration in the amount/frequency of passing urine and changes in color of the urine
- Abdominal pain especially in areas where the kidneys are located
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Headache
- Swollen legs & ankles
- Fatigue
- High blood pressure
- Low appetite
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- Bad breath
Fact 3 – With every decade after the age of 30, your kidney function will decline by 10%. This means that you have to take extra care of your kidneys in order to prevent any kind of damage.
Why not take precautions early in life and minimize the load on kidneys? These simple tips will reduce the risk of developing kidney problems:
- Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of water
- Do not resist the urge to urinate
- Exercise regularly – Keep your blood pressure in control
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle in order to manage Diabetes, blood pressure & heart disease which can lead to kidney damage
- Follow a healthy diet & reduce your salt intake
- Avoid smoking & consumption of alcoholic beverages
- Keep away from pain killers
- Include more of healthy beverages in your diet and avoid caffeinated drinks
- Do not skip your periodic medical check-ups. Get your kidney functions checked within timely intervals
Fact 4 – Diet plays an important role in keeping the kidneys healthy and functioning properly. These antioxidant and vitamin-rich foods will not only protect your kidneys but also benefit damaged kidneys:
- Red Bell peppers
- Onion
- Cabbage
- Garlic
- Apples
- Cauliflower
- Egg whites
In spite of the fact that most people are born with two kidneys, it is still the most transplanted organ in the world. Reversing the global incidence of kidney disease begins with proper awareness. This World Kidney Day, pledge to adopt a healthy lifestyle and share maximum information about the health risks associated with this vital organ.
