How to Prevent Kidney Related Ailments
Kidney And It's Functions
A year ago my brother-in-law was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and died weeks later while undergoing treatment. This was quite tragic for me.No one in my family knew he was going to die. I mean, the signs were not visible. Then I stopped for a while trying to recall my beloved brother-in-law's life and noticed that he caused his demise .what a shame right. He was an alcoholic and only ate junk food and leaved a care free lifestyle,he never went to the gym despite his plump physic that demanded him to. And you know what, he died at 35. what a pity. I then realized that he had a chance of taking care of his precious kidneys but instead, he choose not to.
I don’t want you to make the same mistakes as he did. So I’m going to give you advice on how to take care of your kidney and enjoy a long happy life. It only takes dedication and a few changes in your lifestyle. But before that I should explain what this organ really does and how important it is to you.
Your kidneys are vital organs located at each side of your spine behind the lower rib cage, one on each side of the vertebral column. The right kidney is slightly lower than the left because the liver displaces it downward.The little organs have a bean shape structure and are connected to the bladder by the ureter.
Despite their size,kidneys plays a huge role in the human body. They filter your blood by removing toxins from it , therefore, having a big impact on fluid and electrolyte balance, blood pressure regulation, urine creation and red blood cell production .
Inspite of these benefits , people neglect the importance and health of maintaining healthy kidneys.This normally leads to symptoms such as:
• edema (puffiness)
• high blood pressure,
• lethargy (lack of energy)
• shortness of breath
• confusion
• back pain
• abnormal heart rhythms.
Since it is not easy to diagnose kidney disease,people tend to neglect these signs as the situation worsens.
From a statistical point of view, 30 million people in the United States are living with chronic kidney disease, Lupus nephritis, kidney cancer and other kidney related ailments. In African continents only few people can afford the kidney treatment procedures such as dialysis .Many of them succumb to kidney problems.
To prevent kidney problems and maintain healthy ones , one needs to change certain aspects of his lifestyle that I will list below.
1.Drink plenty of water(the 8 glasses a day rule)
Most people do not drink enough water daily due to busy routines they get caught up in daily activities causing then to forget a simple task like drinking enough water. Well, scientifically speaking, kidneys need adequate water to remove toxins, waste products and unwanted or unneeded compounds from the blood. If you do not drink enough water, these toxins remain in your body and can cause serious damage.
2.Reduce alcohol intake.
Alcohol contains ethanol which cause damage to the internal structure of the kidney especially the nephrons. Blood is less able to be filtered by damaged kidneys. So stay away from alcohol. Moreover, alcohol is a cancer causing substance, and no one wants cancer.
3.Consume less salt.
Excessive sodium chloride intake can be harmful to the kidney as it inhibits the it from effectively filtering the blood and can cause increase in blood pressure. It is highly recommended that you ingest the appropriate quantity of salt to maintain a balanced osmotic pressure in your body.
4.Stop smoking.
Most Americans smoke cigarettes on a regular basis not knowing the life threatening effects it can cause. It’s well established that inhaling cigarette smoke damages nearly every organ and blood vessel in the body. The toxins from the cigarette become dissolved in the bloodstream damage the filters (nephrons) inside the kidneys. The toxic compounds essentially decrease the flow of blood in the kidneys by clogging them. Heart related problems caused by cigarette smoking may reduce oxygen intake to the Kidneys causing them to have a hard time filtering blood.
5.Exersise regularly.
Mild to moderate exercises that last for approximately 30 minutes are good for both you urinary and cardiovascular system. This help maintain appropriate blood pressure and also triggers weight loss by reducing the amount of cholesterol in the body. Low Cholesterol levels favor kidney functioning. Therefore it is advisable to start with jogging or pushups a day. Its enough to keep your kidneys healthy.
6.Reduce cholesterol intake.
A typical American diet is rich in fat and cholesterol. It is estimated that nearly a quarter of the population suffer from obesity and are very much likely to suffer from kidney disease and related diseases such as heart disease and arteriosclerosis. Cholesterol in blood vessels lead to their blockage interfering with supply of blood to the kidney. This tremendously interfers with normal functioning of the kidney .
7.Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.
Vegetables are low in fat an Cholesterol levels and are also antiditoxidants.Some fruits like watermelons are rich in water which is needed by the kidney for proper blood filtration. Moreover many vegetables and fruits are rich in vitamins that may benefit both the urinary and cardiovascular system as they both work in harmony.
8.Monitor your blood pressure regularly.
High blood pressure can damage blood vessels throughout your body including the small arteries in your kidneys causing a dysfunction in them. It is recommended that you keep your blood pressure below 140/90 mm Hg as the prime target.I personally do this everyday and I would recommend that you do it too. There are numerous personal blood pressure monitor on the market but I suggest you using omron 5 series upper arm blood pressure monitor which you can purchase by clicking below.
9.Consider using helpful supplements.
The American diet is usually deficient in many nutrients such as vitamin, amino acids and minerals.supplimenting can be beneficial by making up for the gaps in your diet. Supplements that have demonstrated to be beneficial to the kidneys include:
• Omega-3 fatty acid supplements that helps to decrease the prevalence of chronic kidney disease by reducing blood pressure and excess protein in the urine
• Coenzyme Q10 supplements help normalize blood pressure and reduce hemoglobin A 1c which are both risk factors for kidney disease.
10.Get regular checkups.
Having considered all the listed factors, it is always wise not to discriminate professional intervention in matter pertaining the kidney. I recommend having regular checkups at least twice in three months to be able to treat symptoms or maybe seek more detailed information from professionals.
Kidney disease is a monster. It kills, but who says it’s unstoppable? I believe that this guide is the vaccine to use for prevention of future monsters(kidney Ailments)in other people including you.
I hope this information is helpful to you.Please feel free to leave a comment.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.
© 2019 Vincent Micholo
