The kidney is one of the most vital organs of the human body. It filters impurities from your blood and releases them in the form of urine. Apart from this it performs many essential functions such as balances fluid levels in the body, releases hormones and regulates your blood pressure, which is all needed for the survival of the human body in a healthy way.
So it is crucial for every individual to give special attention to this organ by taking some active steps to improve kidney function. Kidney disease is a very common concern and worldwide it has affected 10% of the total population with chronic kidney disease (CKD) which is life-threatening too.
There are several influential health factors that increase your risk of developing chronic kidney diseases. Some of the common risk factors associated with this chronic disease include high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, etc.
Apart from these common health factors your unhealthy lifestyle routine slowly throws your body towards this chronic disease by damaging your kidney health such as excessive intake of alcohol, smoking, inactive or sedentary lifestyle, genetics, age and many more.
As the kidney purifies your blood which thereon circulates in whole body and organs so it is very crucial that you take care of your kidney health proactively before you get a victim of major kidney diseases.
Some foods intake can easily boost your kidney function making it work faster and better with the least effort. So by including these foods in your regular meal, you can improve your kidney function naturally. However, not all of these foods are healthy and effective for people who are already diagnosed with certain chronic kidney diseases.
Likewise, some foods create extra and unnecessary stress on this vital organ of the body so these must be avoided for keeping your kidney healthy naturally. Similarly, from time to time you should go for a routine checkup for this small bean-shaped organ in order to assess its current health status and to prevent the risk of chronic kidney disease growth.
9 Most Effective Tips to Improve Kidney Function
Kidney diseases are also known as a silent killer as it develops over a period of time. This badly affects your quality of life because the kidney regulates several vital functions in your body. However, with some proactive steps and changes in daily lifestyle routine, you can easily improve your kidney function along with reducing the risk of kidney diseases.
Monitor your Blood Pressure on Frequent Basis
Amazon.comThe high blood pressure level of a person gives an invitation to many severe health concerns. Though most of the people think that an increased level of blood pressure can lead to stroke or heart attack but they don’t know the fact that it can also hamper the functionality of the kidney by damaging it.
For a healthy person, a normal level of blood pressure as per the health specialists should be 120/80. Increasing this set limit is considered high blood pressure. Out of which a person is considered as pre-hypertensive if their blood pressure level stands between 120/80 to 139/89. At this level, some healthy changes in lifestyle routine along with dietary changes can bring back the BP level on its normal condition.
Once your blood pressure level reaches 140/90 and above, in that case, regular monitoring of the BP level for the concerned patient is must under the supervision of a healthcare specialist. The persistently high level of blood pressure is likely to cause major damages in your kidney especially when the affected person is already suffering from other associated diseases that increase the risk of kidney damage such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and high cholesterol level.
So in order to improve your kidney function, it is vital that from time to time you monitor your blood pressure level especially if you are diagnosed with high BP and chronic kidney disease then you should monitor your BP every day. Also, keep it below the recommended level by your doctor. Apart from this take the necessary steps to keep your BP level in the normal state to ensure your healthy body and kidney function.
Keep Your Body Hydrated but in Healthy Limit
In order to improve and maintain the healthy function of your kidney organ, it is crucial that your body remains well hydrated which is only possible by drinking enough amount of water. In general 1.5 to 2 liter, water intake in a day is considered healthy for improving your kidney function as it helps in easy removal of waste products such as toxins, urea, and sodium from your body which can damage your kidney and other functions of your organs.
However one must remember that exceeding to healthy limit nothing is good and this rule is applicable for your daily water intake level as well. Remember don’t overdo it otherwise it can even create excessive stress in your kidney and increases other side effects risk.
Though there is no definite limit set by the healthcare specialist for daily water and other fluid intakes for the human body but as per the traditional wisdom and some researchers suggest that drinking 4 to 6 glasses of water in a day is good for improving your kidney function.
Also, the exact and healthy amount of fluid intake for an individual depends on several factors such as their age, gender, their daily activities or exercise level, health condition, pregnancy or breastfeeding, etc.
People who are diagnosed with kidney stones are recommended to drink 3-liter water in a day as it helps to restrict the further growth of a kidney stone. Overall drinking of 4 to 6 glasses (approx. 2 liters) of water every day is good for your kidney health and increasing this limit won’t help in enhancing your kidney function.
Keep Your Blood Sugar Level in Check
Half of the population diagnosed with diabetes easily gets a victim of certain kidney disease that damages the function of this vital organ. So it is very crucial for pre-diabetic or diabetes patients to monitor their kidney function with regular tests.
This precaution step can prevent kidney damage risk or growth risks of major kidney diseases by early-stage diagnosis and immediate treatment approaches.
Also, take necessary action to control your blood sugar level by consulting with your health care specialists so that in future your kidney won’t get affected or you won’t get a victim of diabetes disease-induced kidney damage.
Stay Fit and Active
Staying fit and active in your day to day life not only helps in reducing your high blood pressure level but also reduces your risk of chronic kidney disease.
People who lead a sedentary lifestyle are likely to gain weight faster than the people who are more active in their daily life routine. For keeping your body active you can prefer doing daily household chores by own instead of depending on others.
Some small-small activities will not only keep your muscles busy at a healthy level but will also keep in check your body weight which is another influencing factor that increases your risk of kidney diseases.
Make a fix exercise routine as a part of your daily life which is the easiest way for reducing your excess body weight and keeping your kidney in a healthy state.
However, while exercise doesn’t over-stress your body. Your body can understand better what is the best limit for you. So consider your limit and practice as much as your body can sustain so that you can only benefit your kidney by improving your function.
Follow a routine of at least 150 minutes of exercise for five days in a week with some moderate forms of exercises like walking, swimming, cycling, etc. This will not only keep your body weight in a controlled position but it also helps in improving your kidney function.
People who are at risk of heart diseases must consult with their doctor before starting any new exercise routine as an excessive exercise in their case can damage their kidney health badly. Whatever you feel good for your body to keep it fit and active, perform it as ritual so that you can improve your kidney function and its health naturally.
Eat Healthy and Maintain Your Body Weight
In most cases, kidney diseases or unhealthy kidney function are associated with other health conditions which give a boost to chronic kidney diseases over time. So by controlling and preventing such diseases, one can reduce their risk of kidney damage. This task can be well done by changing your daily dietary routine.
By including most healthy foods and eliminating unhealthy foods from your diet routine you can keep your blood pressure level and body weight in check which is two primary risk factors for kidney diseases.
Follow a healthy diet routine that can keep your cardiovascular health in god position, controls your blood sugar level and high cholesterol level which otherwise can damage your kidney function and its health.
Follow the recommended limit of daily sodium intake which is 5 to 6 grams per day in order to keep your blood pressure level in check. Avoid the consumption of highly processed foods, restaurant foods and cutting salt limit in your cooking can help in this regard.
Avoid your overeating habit for reducing your excess body weight which again increases your risk of kidney diseases. Eat more fiber and protein-rich foods that can easily satisfy your hunger with very little intake and also reduces your frequent carvings problem.
Keep your kidney healthy by controlling your body weight at a healthy limit. Likewise, you can ask your doctor regarding your diet intake as they can guide you better regarding diets that are healthy for your kidney health and for improving its function.
Avoid Taking Over-The-Counter Pills on Frequent Basis
Amazon.comGenerally, people have a tendency to take over-the-counter medications on their own without even consulting with doctors. This activity in the long-run increases their risk of kidney damages by causing major kidney diseases.
Some commonly available non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen contains risk for your kidney health leading to the risk of kidney damages and diseases if taken on a regular or frequent basis.
However, this risk factor is not applicable significantly for people who take these medications only in emergency situations and whose kidney is in a healthy position.
People who are dealing with persistent pain issues such as patients of arthritis, back pain, etc must consult with the health care specialist to control this chronic pain problem for reducing their dependency on over-the-counter medications on regular basis. Also, they should look for an alternative method for reducing their chronic pain health issues.
Quit Smoking
Smoking is injurious to your health in all respect. People who smoke excessively their kidney function get sluggish over the time leading to an increased risk of kidney disease and damages.
It reduces the normal blood flow level to your kidney by damaging the blood vessels which is vital for the fast and healthy functionality of your kidney organ. In the lack of proper blood supply to the kidney organ its ability to work hampers badly. Apart from this smoking also increases your risk of developing kidney cancer by 50% with a comparison to those who don’t smoke at all.
So it is crucial that you quit your smoking habit or addiction as early as it is possible in order to improve your kidney function and health. Also, smoking increases your risk of high blood pressure which is again a risk factor for developing kidney diseases.
The nicotine in cigarettes increases the toxins level in your body which is quite hard enough that your kidney faces difficulty in removing or releasing from your body. So for the sake of your kidney health quit smoking as early as it is possible and incorporate a healthier lifestyle routine to improve your kidney function.
Avoid Excessive Consumption of Alcohol
Drinking alcohol in a limited quantity such as one glass drink for women and 2 glasses of drink for men in a day is healthy for overall health. However, exceeding this healthy limit will not only affect your liver health but it can also damage your kidney.
Also, excessive alcohol consumption raises your risk of increasing blood pressure level which is a major contributing factor for damaging your kidney health and its functions. Apart from this, it affects your blood sugar level and in the long run, can increase your body weight as well.
So to avoid the risk of diabetes and obesity-induced kidney diseases make sure that you drink only at the moderate limit and not on a regular basis.
Visit for Routine Checkup to Check your Kidney Function
People who are already diagnosed with certain diseases which can increase their risk of kidney damages or diseases must go for kidney function screening test proactively. The early-stage diagnosis of kidney health can reduce your risk of major kidney health damages and diseases with the active intervention of timely medical treatment.
People who have a genetic or family history of kidney disease, a patient of hypertension, diabetes, obese, and people who belong to special origins such as Asian, Aboriginal or African origins contain a greater risk of developing kidney diseases. In such cases, healthcare specialists ask for routine checkups of kidney dysfunction.
Also in most of the cases, people develop kidney diseases without any remarkable symptoms. In such cases, kidney risks test can save them from major kidney damages risks by early diagnosis of kidney diseases if it exists.
Follow the above-mentioned tips and tricks in order to improve kidney function and prevent the major health hazard risks associated with chronic kidney diseases.
[expand title=”View Article Sources“]
- https://www.worldkidneyday.org/facts/take-care-of-your-kidneys/8-golden-rules/
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/7-secrets-to-keeping-your-kidneys-healthy-2/
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