World Kidney Day is an annual campaign to help raise awareness of kidneys and show the suffering caused when they don’t work properly. It also aims to educate people on what kidneys do and how to improve your kidney health.

 

 

What do kidneys do?

They remove toxins, excess water and waste products

Kidneys play a vital role in regulating your blood pressure

They activate vitamin D to help keep your bones and muscles in good shape

They’re essential for a healthy body

 

 

 

Why you shouldn’t ignore your kidneys

Most of the time, kidneys work normally without any issues but sometimes they can be damaged or stop working so well. This is known as chronic kidney disease. CKD is a condition that affects 1 in 10 people in Great Britain.

Early diagnosis and treatment, as well as changes to your diet and lifestyle, are vital and can often help slow down or prevent any further damage. However, if kidney disease goes undetected or is not managed well, it can progress to kidney failure, which is fatal without treatment. Patients with kidney failure need regular dialysis or a kidney transplant. There is no cure.

 

The BIG impact on your life

Having kidney disease affects more than your physical health. It also impacts your social life, relationships and emotional wellbeing. Imagine visiting the hospital three times a week for a four-hour dialysis session – how would you fit this around work, or looking after children, or going on holiday?

 

 

 

How to improve your kidney health

Stay a healthy weight and try not to eat more than 6g of salt a day – that’s about a teaspoon

If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, make sure you keep them under control

Aim for 30 mins of physical activity 5 days a week. Pick something you enjoy like gardening or swimming

Stop smoking. It slows the blood flow to your kidneys so they don’t work as well

Stay hydrated and avoid excess alcohol so your kidneys can do their job properly

Take drugs like Ibuprofen with caution and seek advice because they can sometimes harm your kidneys

 

For more information, https://kidneycareuk.org/