How To Prevent Kidney Disease?

“This too shall pass - just like a kidney stone” -- Hunter Madsen

Kidney disease is also known as renal disease. It is characterized by kidney damage causing the kidneys unable to remove wastes, one of their prime functions.

Located near the middle of your back, just below the rib cage, kidneys are bean-shaped organs that come in a pair. They are comprise millions of 'filtration units' called nephrons, which filter blood.

The waste products are passed as urine. Kidney disease causes damage to nephrons (filtration units'), and the system goes awry.

The following tips may protect you against kidney disease

1. Keep your diabetes under control
2. Keep your hypertension (high blood pressure) under control
3. Take your medicines for heart disease, diabetes, hypertension just as prescribed by your doctor. Also, ask your doctor about the drugs, ACE inhibitors and angiotensin-II receptor blockers for treating high blood pressure.
4. If you suffer from heart disease get yourself tested for kidney disease
5. If a close relative (viz. a mother, father, brother) has kidney disease, you may be at risk. Get yourself tested.
6. If you're over 50 years of age get tested.
7. Get your sore throat tested for a strep infection, and if it turns out positive, timely treatment can help prevent any inflammation of the kidney, preventing any damage.
8. Remain alert to identify bladder or urinary tract infections early and get them treated as soon as possible.
9. Bring your weigh under control, if it's not
10. Don't smoke
11. Don't abuse drugs
12. Avoid overuse of painkillers
13. Prefer water over other drinks
14. Drink alcohol in moderation
15. Undertake regular physical exercise
16. Keep yourself relaxed, try relaxation techniques, hobbies, etc.
17. Maintain healthy levels of cholesterol in your blood
18. Eat healthy and consume less salt

Get more tips on protecting your health

References

Plus, Medline (2008,11,03,). MedlinePlus: Kidney Diseases. Retrieved November 10, 2008, from MedlinePlus Health Information from the National Library of Medicine Web site: 'http://'www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/kidneydiseases.html#cat11

Education Program, National Kidney Disease (2008,04,30). National Kidney Disease Education Program Home Page. Retrieved November 10, 2008, from National Kidney Disease Education Program Web site: 'http://'www.nkdep.nih.gov/resources/make_the_kidney_connection.htm

Options, Life (2008,11,10,). Life Options | Kidney Disease Info | Risk Factors. Retrieved November 10, 2008, from Life Options Web site: 'http://'www.lifeoptions.org/kidneyinfo/ckdinfo.php?page=3

Information Clearinghouse, The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases (2007,08,--). Your Kidneys and How They Work. Retrieved November 10, 2008, from National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse Web site: 'http://'kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/yourkidneys/#8

Editorial Staff, familydoctor.org (2005, 05,--). Chronic Kidney Disease. Retrieved November 10, 2008, from familydoctor.org Home Web site: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/kidney/832.printerview.html

Services, Inc, Diabetes (--,--,--). Kidney Disease. Retrieved November 10, 2008, from The Diabetes Mall Web site: 'http://'www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_complications/diabetes_kidney_information.php

Victoria, State of (2008, 10, --). Kidney disease - prevention - Better Health Channel.. Retrieved November 10, 2008, from Better Health Channel Web site: 'http://'www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/kidney_disease_prevention?opendocument