World Kidney Day 2022: Here’s how you can protect your kidneys from being damaged

The kidneys are two organs which are positioned within the decrease again, one on both sides of the backbone. They’re concerning the measurement of a clenched fist. The Nephron is the purposeful unit of the kidney and comprises a specialised construction referred to as the glomerulus inside which filtration of blood happens. There are about one million nephrons in a kidney. The kidneys have quite a few capabilities which are important to your well-being. Their foremost capabilities and an outline of every are listed beneath.

Features of the kidney

Take away further water: The kidneys filter further water, which the physique doesn’t want, within the type of urine. This water comes from the liquids you drink and the meals you eat. The kidneys have the power to pay attention or dilute your urine, as your physique wants. As they type urine, it’s despatched to the bladder via tubes referred to as ureters. The urethra is the tube that drains the urine from the bladder to the skin of the physique.

Take away waste merchandise: Urea and creatinine are examples of waste merchandise which are present in everybody. Urea and creatinine type because the physique breaks down meals into power and performs its routine bodily capabilities. Waste merchandise are dangerous if not eliminated by the kidneys. A build-up of those toxins within the physique on account of kidney failure may be deadly.

Restore wanted chemical compounds: The kidneys work to maintain the physique’s chemical compounds (electrolytes and minerals) in steadiness. Two examples of electrolytes are sodium and potassium. An instance of a mineral could be calcium. The kidneys preserve a correct steadiness by saving the chemical compounds the physique wants and passing the surplus chemical compounds into the urine.

Regulate blood stress: The kidneys assist the physique preserve a standard blood stress by regulating the excretion of sodium and water. The kidneys additionally produce a particular hormone referred to as renin that helps to regulate blood stress. 

Assist in the manufacturing of purple blood cells:- The wholesome kidney produces a hormone referred to as erythropoietin. This hormone helps the bone marrow produce purple blood cells.

Assist with calcium and vitamin steadiness: The kidneys steadiness calcium, phosphate and Vitamin D within the physique. These three play a key function in bone construction and formation. 

Advisories for having wholesome Kidneys

1. Common train diminishes the chance of power kidney illness. It might probably additionally cut back hypertension whereas boosting coronary heart well being, that are each essential to stopping kidney harm. One needn’t run marathons to attain the reward of train. Strolling, working, biking, and even dancing is nice for one’s well being. 

2. Diabetes Mellitus: That is quick changing into the commonest explanation for power kidney failure in India and everywhere in the world. Diabetes causes blood vessel modifications within the kidneys (and the entire physique) over a few years. A thickening and hardening of kidney arteries, glomeruli and tubules trigger the kidneys to fail. Nonetheless, if one can management their blood sugar, the chance of harm could possibly be diminished. Additionally, if the harm is detected early, the physician can take steps to scale back additional harm. A easy Blood check (serum creatinine) and Urine check (for protein) will decide whether or not your kidneys are functioning usually. 

3. Hypertension could cause kidney harm. If hypertension happens along with different well being points like diabetes, coronary heart illness, or excessive ldl cholesterol, the well being affect may be vital. A wholesome blood stress studying is 120/80 mm of Hg. Life-style and dietary modifications could assist decrease one’s blood stress. If the blood stress readings are persistently excessive, a prognosis of hypertension is made. Therefore, it’s extremely really helpful for such folks to seek the advice of a physician about monitoring blood stress recurrently whereas making modifications to their each day life-style.

4. Overweight individuals are at the next danger of a number of well being issues which are dangerous to the kidneys. These embody diabetes, coronary heart illness, and hypertension. A nutritious diet could assist cut back the chance of kidney harm. Focussing on consuming recent elements (which are naturally low-sodium, resembling cauliflower, blueberries, fish, complete grains, and extra) somewhat than canned meals and lowering carbohydrate consumption, can go a good distance in lowering or stopping the prevalence of those illnesses.

5. There’s no miracle behind the golden recommendation to drink eight glasses of water a day, however it’s a super routine because it encourages you to remain hydrated. That is very true for tropical climate with its sizzling summers and for these toiling below the solar. One ought to purpose for not less than 1.5 to 2 litres in a day. Different elements like local weather, train, gender, total well being, and whether or not or not you’re pregnant or breastfeeding are essential to think about when planning your each day water consumption. Individuals who have beforehand had kidney stones ought to drink not less than 3L of water a day to assist stop stone deposits sooner or later.

6. Smoking damages the physique’s blood vessels. This results in slower blood circulation all through the physique and to your kidneys as nicely. Smoking additionally places your kidneys at an elevated danger for most cancers. Should you quit smoking, your danger will cut back. Nonetheless, it should take a while to return to the chance stage of an individual who’s by no means smoked.

(The writer is Dr Arvind Conjeevaram, Senior Guide Nephrologist and Transplant Doctor, The Bangalore, Sagar & Trustwell Hospitals, Bangalore)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed on this article are these of the writer. They don’t replicate the views of India TV)