Kidney health is one of those aspects of health that often gets overlooked. How on earth do you monitor how happy your kidneys are? Well, there are a few certain ways you can protect your kidneys through diet and lifestyle, and understanding what can go wrong is often a good way to start.
This year, World Kidney Day 2024 falls on the 14th March and is a perfect opportunity to learn a few facts and understand how important those two little organs are to your health.
1.2 million people in the UK have kidney disease and don’t know it
– World Kidney Day –
What do the kidneys do?
Most people are born with two kidneys, each the size of a clenched fist.
The kidney’s function is to filter the blood and remove waste products, toxins and water from the blood, ready for these to be released from the body through the production of urine.
The interesting thing about kidneys is that they also regulate the amount of minerals your body needs to function properly, such as potassium and salt. This important function helps them regulate blood pressure, calcium levels in your bones and vitamin D.
1.2 million people in the UK have kidney disease and don’t know it
– World Kidney Day –
What do the kidneys do?
Most people are born with two kidneys, each the size of a clenched fist. The kidney’s function is to filter the blood and remove waste products, toxins and water from the blood, ready for these to be released from the body through the production of urine.
The interesting thing about kidneys is that they also regulate the amount of minerals your body needs to function properly, such as potassium and salt. This important function helps them regulate blood pressure, calcium levels in your bones and vitamin D.
What happens when kidneys don’t function properly?
There are two phrases used to describe issues with kidney function – acute kidney injury, and Chronic Kidney Disease.
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) occurs when someone suffers with an infection or illness which reduces kidney effectiveness. This could also be caused by dehydration or side effects from other medication and often requires hospital treatment. It is sometimes caused by a combination of these factors. Another effect can be reduced blood pressure which can prevent kidneys from being able to effectively filter the blood, and increases the risk of cells being damaged and prolonged illness.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is where the kidneys simply don’t work as well as they should. The danger of CKD is that there are very few symptoms, so people can have quite a serious condition without being aware. This is much more serious than Acute Kidney Injury and around 1 in 50 patients will progress to kidney failure.
Kidney Disease is the 10th biggest killer
– World Kidney Day –
Is there a cure for Kidney Disease?
The principal message of World Kidney Day this year is that a kidney transplant or dialysis is not a cure for kidney disease. They are treatments to help prolong life, and of course this takes a toll on the body both physically and mentally.
In a healthy body, kidneys filter toxins out of your body around 40 times per day. A patient on dialysis experiences this process in just a few hours. Before being able to benefit from the effects of dialysis, the patient must recover which means they lose yet more of their day to getting plenty of rest and sleep. So whilst this process does prolong life, it does take a significant amount of energy.
It is not surprising therefore, that around 67% patients on dialysis experience depression, perhaps due to the necessary routines or the pressure the procedure puts on the body.
Arming yourself with information is often a good way to protect your health. Being able to spot warning signs quickly could make all the difference if you do experience them.
Symptoms of kidney disease
Kidney disease often goes unnoticed – according to World Kidney Day it’s possible to lose 90% of kidney function before seeing any signs of the condition. Knowing what to look out for could help you seek medical attention much quicker.
Someone with kidney disease may experience:
- reduced appetite
- swollen ankles
- lack of concentration
- fatigue
- foamy urine
- blood in the urine
Keeping an eye on these aspects of your health can help you spot a number of symptoms, and could help aid quicker diagnosis when you consult your GP for the first time.
Further Information
You can make your own ‘big picture’ like the one above, on the World Kidney Day website to raise awareness. Please see the link below.
You can find more information on Kidney Health on the World Kidney Day website, or read more about Chronic Kidney Disease on the NHS Website.
If you’d like to become an organ donor, you can find out more information here: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/
References
1 – World Kidney Day Website – https://www.worldkidneyday.co.uk/
2 – Wye Valle NHS – https://www.wyevalley.nhs.uk/visitors-and-patients/county-hospital-(acute)/a-z-departments/renal/information-about-kidneys-and-kidney-disease.aspx
3 – NHS website – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-disease/