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March is National Kidney Month

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March is National Kidney Month! This month many organizations, health professionals and communities come together for one purpose: raise awareness about kidney disease.

Your kidney can fail due to build up of waste in the body, damage to the kidneys, anemia as well as build up of fluid in the body. Symptoms can include anything from nausea and vomiting, blood in the urine, fatigue to swelling in the face, feet or hands. To determine if the symptoms you have are because of kidney failure, have your doctor perform these specific tests: 

  1. Urinalysis – check for protein, blood and white blood cells in the urine.

  2. Blood tests – test creatinine and BUN, waste products that healthy kidneys remove from the bloodstream.

Raise Awareness about Kidney Disease!

Make a contribution today and help us raise awareness about the importance of maintaining healthy kidneys! 

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), this year’s focus is take charge of your health and learn more about what factors go into maintaining healthy kidneys. Here are seven fantastic suggestions to follow in order to maintain your kidney health:

  1. Meet regularly with your health care team. Staying connected with your doctor, whether in-person or using telehealth via phone or computer, can help you maintain your kidney health.

  2. Manage blood pressure and monitor blood glucose levels. Work with your health care team to develop a plan to meet your blood pressure goals and check your blood glucose level regularly if you have diabetes.

  3. Take medicine as prescribed and avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen. Your pharmacist and doctor need to know about all the medicines you take.

  4. Aim for a healthy weight. Create a healthy meal plan and consider working with your doctor to develop a weight-loss plan that works for you.

  5. Reduce stress and make physical activity part of your routine. Consider healthy stress-reducing activities and get at least 30 minutes or more of physical activity each day.

  6. Make time for sleep. Aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night.

  7. Quit smoking. If you smoke, take steps to quit.

To learn more visit: NIDDK