WAYS TO KEEP YOUR KIDNEY HEALTHY

How To Keep Your Kidney Healthy

Kidney diseases are silent killers, which will largely affect your quality of life. Here are some ways to reduce the risk of developing kidney disease.

1. Keep fit and active: 

Keeping fit helps to reduce your blood pressure and therefore reduces the risk of Chronic Kidney Disease.

2. Keep regular control of your blood sugar level

About half of people who have diabetes develop kidney damage, so it is important for people with diabetes to have regular tests to check their kidney functions, kidney damage from diabetes can be reduced or prevented if detected early. It is important to keep control of blood sugar level.

3. Monitor your blood pressure

High blood pressure can lead to stroke or heart attack, it also cause kidney damage.

The normal blood pressure level is 120/80. Between this level and 139/89, you are considered pre-hypertensive and should adopt lifestyle and dietary changes. At 140/90 and above, you should discuss the risks with your doctor and monitor your blood pressure level regularly.

4. Eat healthy and keep your weight in check

This can help prevent diabetes, heart disease and other conditions associated with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Reduce your salt intake. The recommended sodium intake is 5-6 grams of salt per day (around a teaspoon). In order to reduce your salt intake, try and limit the amount of processed and restaurant food and do not add salt to food. It will be easier to control your intake if you prepare the food yourself with fresh ingredients. For more information on nutrition and kidney friendly cooking, visit our nutrition page.

5. Do not smoke

Smoking slows the flow of blood to the kidneys. When less blood reaches the kidneys, it impairs their ability to function properly. Smoking also increases the risk of kidney cancer by about 50 percent.