STHS honors World Kidney Day with a few healthy tips

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — South Texas Health System is honoring World Kidney Day by informing the community on the function of the bean shaped organs and how to best keep them healthy.

A person's kidneys work as the body's filtration system by removing waste and chemicals, controlling red blood cell production, balancing bodily fluids, producing hormones that control blood pressure and generating a form of vitamin D that promotes healthy bones.

The process that the kidneys are responsible for is called renal function and it refers to the work that the kidneys keep the body in a state of chemical balance by regulating the substances that are both helpful and harmful. Even with artificial assistance, one cannot live without proper renal function.

Chronic kidney disease is a condition that occurs when the kidneys become damaged over time or suddenly and struggle to perform their essential functions, STHS stated. This damage can lead to a build-up of waste and increase the risk for other health problems like heart disease or stroke.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three adults with diabetes and one in three adults with high blood pressure may have chronic kidney disease.

However, whether you have a history of diabetes, hypertension or a family history of kidney disease, it is important to keep you kidneys stronghealthy.

STHS offered a few tips on how to accomplish this:

• Hydrate: Water helps the kidneys remove waste from blood through urine. Water also helps keep your blood vessels open, allowing blood to travel freely to your kidneys and deliver essential nutrients.
• Eat healthy foods: Most kidney problems arise from conditions like obesity, hypertension, heart disease and diabetes, which can all be prevented with a healthy diet. By eating more fruits and vegetables, you can keep these illnesses at bay, thus, maintaining good renal function.
• Exercise regularly: Like eating well, regular physical activity can stave off weight gain and associated illnesses that could impact kidney function.
• Avoid smoking: Smoking can damage blood vessels decreasing the flow of blood in the kidneys. Without adequate blood flow, the kidneys do not function at optimal levels.
• Use caution with over-the-counter medications: Common non-prescription pills like ibuprofen and naproxen can cause kidney damage if taken too regularly over a prolonged period. If taken for chronic pain or arthritis, consult with your doctor about monitoring your kidney function or finding alternative ways to control your pain.
• Get regular screenings: If you have diabetes, hypertension or heart disease, your physician should screen you for kidney dysfunction as part of routine care for those conditions.

"Properly functioning kidneys are vital for an individual's overall well-being," said Lance Ames, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Edinburg and STHS Children's. "So, this World Kidney Day, STHS will be joining in the global fight against kidney disease by shining a spotlight on the impact poor renal health can have on a person`s life and sharing important strategies aimed at preventing chronic kidney disease and maintaining good kidney health."