OUR kidneys play a vital role in our body.
Without them, we would struggle to process toxins, leaving a devastating impact on our bodies.
It’s important to look after your kidneys.
They work hard 24 hours a day to clean the blood and create urine, eliminating waste from the body.
If the kidneys are not healthy, other organs in the body may suffer and this can lead to more serious health complications.
Kidneys are located near the middle of the back, on either side of the spine.
They are protected from physical injury by a layer of fat, along with the ribs and back muscles.
They are bean-shaped and each one is the size of an average adult fist.
Most people are born with two kidneys but one in 750 people is born with just one.
The good news is that people can still lead a healthy life with just one because one kidney alone can provide up to 75 per cent of normal kidney function.
This Kidney Health Week, May 17-21, the team at Swan Hill District Health wants people to consider their kidney health and be equipped to be better aware if they are one of the 1.8 million Australians currently living with kidney disease.
It is important to take care of our overall health but it is just as important to ensure we are taking care of our kidneys.
Things we can do to look after our kidneys in everyday life include having blood pressure checked regularly and ensuring it stays below the levels as recommended by the doctor; monitoring blood glucose levels in anyone with diabetes and staying within the targets; avoiding smoking and being mindful of food intake and exercise output; staying hydrated and minimising alcohol intake; and maintaining a healthy body weight.
Kidney disease can be largely symptomless, making it hard for people to receive an early diagnosis.
However, Kidney Health Week aims to create awareness, as early detection can help to diagnose and treat people before the disease advances to kidney failure.
The Kidney Health website has for more information and helpful resources.
Make kidney health a priority today and better protect yourself against the risk of kidney-related diseases into the future.
Your kidney health
It’s important to take care of your overall health – and this includes taking care of your kidneys.
Things you can do include:
- Having your blood pressure checked regularly and ensuring it stays below the levels recommended by your doctor;
- Monitoring your blood glucose levels if you have diabetes and ensuring you stay within your targets, and;
- Leading an active, healthy lifestyle and maintaining a healthy weight.
