Keep an eye on your kidneys.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, March is National Kidney Month or a time when the NKF urges all Americans to take a closer look at their renal health and the lifestyle choices that directly affect the kidneys. So in the same spirit, we at Our Community Now wanted to pass along some quick kidney facts to help raise awareness for those suffering from kidney disease, offer tips for those at risk, and just promote good health in general.
With that said, did you know ...
(Infographic from the American Kidney Fund)
Your kidneys also filter approximately 200 liters of blood per day (that's almost 53 gallons) and are responsible for tasks such as removing drugs from the body, balancing your fluids, releasing hormones that regulate blood pressure, producing red blood cells, and producing vitamin D for bone health.
As it stands, kidney disease is the ninth leading cause of death in the USA. More than 30 million Americans have kidney disease, yet many don't even know it because symptoms don't appear until long after the disease has progressed. And there are more than 590,000 people who have kidney failure right now.
Typically those with diabetes, have a family history with kidney failure, those who use tobacco, and those who eat high salt/fat diets are at higher risks. If you're concerned, talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes that could positively affect your kidney health, and don't forget to get screened!
What do you think? Have you changed your lifestyle? If so, has it helped you feel better? We want to hear about it, so let us know in the comments below!
