Love Your Kidneys!
# Check Up on Your Kidneys When we think about staying healthy, most of us think about our hearts, our weight, or maybe our blood sugar. But there’s one part of the body that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough—our kidneys. These two bean-shaped organs work hard every single day, quietly filtering our blood, removing waste, and helping control our blood pressure. When they stop working properly, it can have serious effects on the rest of our body.
About 1 in 7 adults in the United States has Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), and most people don’t even know they have it. That’s because CKD doesn’t usually cause any symptoms until it’s pretty far along. It’s important to catch it early.
Some people are more likely to develop kidney disease than others. The biggest risk factors are diabetes and high blood pressure. If you’ve been told you have either of these, it’s worth asking your doctor about your kidney health.
Other risk factors include a family history of kidney problems, being over the age of 60, or having heart disease. Even repeated use of over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen can put stress on your kidneys over time. **The Tests Are Simple** The good news is that finding out how your kidneys are doing doesn’t require anything complicated or expensive. There are two basic tests your doctor can order:
* A blood test called a GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) that tells how well your kidneys are filtering. * A urine test to check for protein, which can be an early sign of kidney damage.
Both tests are widely available, and many insurance plans—even basic ones—cover them. If you don’t have insurance, talk to your local clinic. Some community health centers offer lab tests at reduced costs or may have programs to help cover the expense.
Catching kidney disease early can make all the difference. In the early stages, lifestyle changes, medications, and controlling your blood sugar and blood pressure can help slow or even stop the disease from getting worse.
But if it goes unnoticed and untreated, kidney disease can lead to kidney failure.
* **Talk to your doctor:** Ask if you’ve had your kidney function tested recently, especially if you have diabetes or high blood pressure. * **Watch your numbers:** Keeping your blood pressure and blood sugar under control is one of the best things you can do to protect your kidneys. * **Drink plenty of water:** Staying hydrated helps your kidneys do their job more efficiently. * **Limit salt and processed foods:** These can increase blood pressure and make kidneys work harder. * **Be mindful with pain relievers:** Using NSAIDs like ibuprofen too often can cause kidney damage over time. Take a little time now to ask your doctor about your kidney health.