Your body has many systems which work together to keep you alive. The excretory system is one of the systems that help your body to get rid of waste. The kidneys are the primary organs of this system. While many people know the excretory functions of kidneys, these organs do more than that. For example, they produce hormones that help to control blood pressure. Therefore, you should do whatever it takes to ensure that these organs are healthy. Here are the self-care tips Jonathan Pankow, M.D., recommends to prevent kidney diseases.
Eat Right
Your food choices have a greater impact when it comes to kidney health. For example, eating red meat for a long time usually introduces certain proteins, which causes complexity in how the kidney executes its task. Also, the high content of salts in the meals can strain the kidney, thus increasing the chances of kidney diseases.
Therefore, you should switch to a Mediterranean diet involving fresh vegetables and fruits. It would help if you were also keen on the salt proportions on your plate.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Individuals who are overweight are at a greater risk of developing kidney complications. Excessive weight makes the kidney work harder, thus filtering the wastes and fluid beyond the normal ranges. In the long run, these extra forces expose the kidney to diseases.
It would be best if you worked with your healthcare provider to compute your body mass index (BMI). Shed the extra weight if your BMI is twenty-five or above.
Stop Smoking
Another reason to kick the smoking habit is to prevent kidney diseases. Notably, smoking introduces toxic constituents in the body, which narrows blood vessels that carry blood to the kidney. Consequently, this organ does not get an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients, thus impairing its functionality.
If you experience difficulties quitting smoking alone, you should consider seeking rehabilitation services.
Manage Your Stress
You may think there is no association between mental health and kidney functionalities, but you are mistaken. When stressed, your body releases hormones like cortisol, which heightens blood pressure. The altered blood circulation patterns will strain the kidney, increasing disease susceptibility.
Fortunately, the stress relief practices like meditation and biofeedback can help you improve stress symptoms, thus keeping your kidney healthy.
Seek the Regular Checkups
Are you among the many people who think it is only right to visit the doctor when something is amiss in the body? If yes, then you are running the risk of getting health complications such as kidney disease. Therefore, you should visit your healthcare provider more often.
Through regular visits, your doctor will check your glucose and blood pressure levels. On detecting those conditions, they will advise you on achieving your health goals, thus reducing the risks of kidney disease.
Your kidneys do a marvelous job of keeping you alive. These organs help to remove waste and excess fluid from your body, whose accumulation could have caused toxicity. The kidneys also produce hormones essential to controlling blood pressure. Therefore, you should give these organs the necessary attention to keep them healthy. For example, you should eat a healthy diet rich in vegetables to boost kidney wellness.
However, if, despite your preventive measures, you notice symptoms like vomiting and urination changes, you should never ignore them. Seek the relevant treatment option since you could suffer from kidney disease.
