Kidney Health Awareness: National Institutes of Health (Kidney Diseases) · Covid Info · Transplants · New Jersey Specialists · National Kidney Foundation · DASH Diet · Donate
Source: UrologyHealth.org
March is Kidney Health Awareness Month, when the Urology Care Foundation and the American Urological Association raise awareness about kidney conditions and encourages the public to make direct, positive and healthy changes in their lives to keep their kidneys healthy.
The kidneys are fist-size organs that cleanse our blood of toxins or waste and filter it out of our bodies through urine. They also make hormones that help to keep our blood pressure stable, make red blood cells and keep our bones healthy. Here are the most common kidney conditions:
Kidney Stones are formed by high levels of minerals or salts in the urine. They can grow and even fill in the hollow structures of the kidney. Kidney stones can also travel down the ureter, the tube between the kidney and the bladder. If the stone reaches the bladder, it can be passed out of the body in urine. But if they become lodged in the ureter, kidney stones block the urine flow, which causes pain.
Kidney Infections can be caused by bacteria or a virus, requiring treatment with antibiotics.
Kidney Cancer is among the top 10 most common cancers in the United States with more than 76,000 new cases diagnosed each year. The average age of people diagnosed with kidney cancer is 64 and it is about twice as common in men than in women.
Kidney Disease is known as the “silent epidemic,” because it often shows no symptoms until it is advanced. High blood pressure and diabetes are the two leading causes of kidney disease. Other risk factors include heart disease, obesity, high cholesterol and a family history of kidney disease.
A few simple ways to keep your kidneys functioning properly include: keeping active and fit; controlling blood sugar; monitoring blood pressure; maintaining a healthy diet and weight, drinking plenty of fluids; not smoking, and getting tested regularly if you are at risk (see above).