Protect Your Kidneys as You Age

By

Harry Zimbler

–

March 11, 2015

Centre County Gazette, Health & Wellness, Health News, Local News, State College, StateCollege.com

The national consciousness has been raised about the dangers of heart disease and cancer, but we hear very little about the rise of chronic kidney disease.

The occurrence of CKD is on the rise according to the National Kidney Foundation.

Nearly 30 million people have the disease, with millions more at risk for it.

Chronic kidney disease is the slow degrading of kidney function. It can be caused by many factors including high blood pressure and diabetes.

The kidneys are the organs that remove toxins from the blood. Once the function of the organs is diminished, treatment options include several forms of dialysis, as well as a kidney transplant.

To protect your kidneys consider the following:

■ Regularly exercise. It is important at any age, especially for older individuals who are concerned about kidney health.

■ Control your weight. Being overweight leads to problems for anyone, especially those at risk for kidney disease.

■ Make sure your diet is well-balanced and includes fruits and vegetables.

■ Don’t smoke if you want healthy kidneys.

■ Drink alcohol in moderation.

■ Make sure that your body is hydrated, but don’t overdo the water.

■ Have your doctor monitor your cholesterol levels. It’s something that can be accomplished in an annual physical.

■ Know your family history.

There are a number of tests that the National Kidney Foundation recommends for anyone who may be vulnerable to kidney function impairment.

First, it is essential to check your blood pressure. A score below 140/90 is acceptable, though lower is better.

A simple blood test can determine the amount of creatinine in your blood. Creatinine is a toxin that is removed from the blood by the kidneys. An elevated level of creatinine is a sign of CKD.

A urinalysis will reveal the level of protein in your urine. Raised protein levels are another warning sign for kidney disease.

Doctors can perform a test known as the glomerular filtration rate. A GFR is a sensitive and accurate measure of kidney function.

While kidney function does not garner the kind of bold headlines seen with other diseases, it is well worth the time to monitor kidney health as one ages. Once the kidneys stop functioning properly, health problems will greatly increase.

Click HERE for more information from the National Kidney Foundation.