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Taking Care Of Your Kidneys the Right Way
It was supposed to be just a medical check-up because of the way she was feeling. The look on her doctor’s face was not encouraging at all. She had just complained of months of undue fatigue which she had initially attributed to work stress. However, she became alarmed when she woke up one day and noticed her face was puffy. Though, it regressed as the day with by but she became more worried the next day when her legs were now swollen and she became a bit breathless on mild exertion. The doctor’s voice jolted her out of her thoughts. “I am sorry”, Mrs. Joan. The results of the tests you just did shows your kidneys are failing. She was devastated with the news. How on earth did this happen? She lamented.
This story is typifies what some people are going through right now in various hospitals around the world. Your kidneys are so important to the human body. It is therefore important you take good care of them.
So what are the ways you can preserve the health of your kidneys.
1. Drink adequate water everyday.
There is nothing as good as drinking water on a hot, dry day. But alas, many have substituted this for their carbonated or soft drinks. I have highlighted the dangers of this habit in my earlier article. Water therapy is good for your kidneys. It is suggested that one should drink up to 2 litres of water every day. This may seem much but it is a healthy practice. Water helps the kidney to clear away waste products which are harmful from the body. These toxins if not removed could significantly affect your kidneys. So ditch that soda for a bottle of clean water.
2. Eat healthy foods.
I have constantly emphasized the importance of eating healthy in my articles. It is no different for the health of your kidneys. Fruits and vegetables like apple, berries, onions, and spinach can improve your kidney function. Don’t be the one who likes to indulge in taking too much carbohydrate and fatty meals. It will only result in making you overweight and put you at risk for chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. Limit your intake of processed and junk foods in the restaurant.
There are some also who like to add that extra salt to their meals while eating. It is also not a healthy practice for your kidney health. Some of these canned foods like beef or fish contain high sodium. It is recommended that you should not take more than the equivalent of a teaspoon of salt daily.
3. Avoid over the counter pain relievers.
Some people have the habit of simply going to the drug store and taking pain relievers like ibuprofen on a daily basis for months. This is common among those who suffer from arthritis or chronic back pains. While it may give you relief from the pain, it will on the long run slowly damage your kidneys. There are also some herbal remedies advertised on media which contain products which they claim are healthy. However, it has been found that some of them contain substances which can impair the function of your kidney. It is best to seek the advice of a medical personnel before you take these supplements or remedies.
4. Quit smoking.
A little puff of your cigarette they say gives them a heightened feeling of satisfaction. The warning usually written on the packets of cigarettes that “smokers are liable to die young “is not a false alarm. Cigars contain some chemicals which are injurious to your kidney. These chemicals narrow the vessels that supply blood to the kidneys and impair its function. They also increase the risk of the kidney becoming cancerous. It is therefore wise to quit if you indulge in this harmful habit.
5. Do regular health screening.
I have also always pointed out the value of making regular health checks whether you feel healthy or not. Two important aspects of your body you need to check is your blood pressure and your blood sugar. Hypertension and diabetes are the top reasons around the world for chronic kidney diseases. These are very treatable conditions and so it is wise to know if you have them and start treatment early. If you have questions about this article, feel free to ask by using the comment box below and don’t forget to share using any of the social networking icons below.
