What Should You Know about Chronic Kidney Disease and How to Keep Your Kidneys Healthy

World Kidney Day focus on raising awareness globally of the importance of kidney health.The kidney has many functions, including removal function, endocrine and metabolic functions (such as make renin, erythropoietin (EPO), prostaglandins and activates vitamin D). Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is abnormalities of kidney structure or function, present for >3 months. 

Glomerular filtration Rate (GFR) is a blood test, shows how your kidneys are working. Based on GFR there are six stages of CKD. The prevalence of CKD has been reported in an increasing number of studies worldwide. CKD affects >10% of the general population worldwide, amounting to >800 million individuals. 

Based on 2018 Basic Health Research (RISKESDA) The common risk factors for CKD in Indonesia such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. Complications of CKD affect all organ systems. End stage renal disease when kidneys no longer function well enough will be treated with kidney dialysis or kidney transplant.

There are 7 tips for maintaining healthy kidneys:

• Get blood and urine tested to know how your kidneys are working.

If you have one or more of risk factors you need to perform a urine test to detect albumin in the urine, and blood test (Glomerular Filtration Rate) this shows how well the kidneys are filtering the blood.

• Manage High Blood Pressure

You can do a DASH diet with restriction of sodium intake less than 2.300 mg/day, regular physical activity, limit alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, stop smoking, and take medicine as well.

• Check and Manage Your Blood Sugar/ Glucose

Treatment includes lifestyle adjustments ( Good meal plan with low in fats and calories, Getting regular physical activity, medications (oral medications/ subcutaneous insulin), and self monitoring of blood glucose.

• Exercise Regularly
• Follow a balanced diet and stay hydrated
• Stop Smoking

Smoking will increase the risk of kidney disease, because tobacco contains particles and gasses, some of which are damaging to the kidney.

• Watch out your kidney when using NSAIDs (pain medicines) because long term and high doses of the NSAIDs have a harmful effect on the kidney.

Keep calm and care for Kidneys! Make Your Kidney Health a Priority.