Posted: Tuesday, March 19, 2013
We all have them, but few of us ever give them a second thought.
Now, however, the National Kidney Foundation is urging all Americans to
do just that.March is National Kidney Month, and according to the American Cancer Society more than 31 million people are living with kidney disease, and they might not even know it. Kidney disease is the ninth-leading cause of death in the United States.
Located on either side of the spine in the middle of the back, just above the waist, the kidneys perform several life-sustaining roles. They cleanse the blood by removing waste and excess fluid, maintain the balance of salt and minerals in the blood, and help regulate blood pressure.
When the kidneys become damaged, waste products and fluid can build up in the body, causing swelling in the ankles, vomiting, weakness, poor sleep, and shortness of breath.
If left untreated, diseased kidneys may eventually stop functioning completely. Loss of kidney function is a serious — and potentially fatal —condition.
There are some simple steps people can take to protect themselves from kidney disease. A healthy lifestyle, including exercise and good control of other conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, can help prevent the onset of the disease. These two conditions account for two thirds of all cases of chronic kidney disease.
Kidney specialists have recommended cutting back on both sugary sodas and alcohol, as well as having regular screenings as a way of reducing the risk of developing kidney issues. Since there are often no symptoms, a simple test can determine whether the kidneys are working right.
Both early detection and aggressive intervention, while there’s still time to slow down the progression to kidney failure, are important in maintaining optimum health. Medical care with early intervention can change the course of chronic kidney disease and prevent the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant.
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