LOOK AFTER YOUR KIDNEYS
What do the kidneys do?
The kidneys are very important and are essential for living. They are the unsung hero of the body. Most people have two kidneys and they are about the size of a fist and sit on either side of the backbone. Each kidney is made up of about 1 million tiny filter ‘units’– called nephrons. This is also why a kidney doctor is called a Nephrologist. The kidneys serve four very important functions:
1. They filter – essentially, they ‘clean’ the blood (up to 200L a day) and eliminate the waste and excess fluid in the form of urine. This keeps the balance of chemicals and water in the body stable.
2. They control blood pressure by releasing a hormone called renin that is very important in blood pressure control.
3. They maintain healthy bones by releasing an enzyme that helps with calcium and phosphate balance in the body, which is crucial for bone health.
4. They help make red blood cells by releasing a hormone called EPO, which tells the bones to make more red blood cells.
What can damage the kidney?
It’s important that the kidney stays healthy and doesn’t get scarred. Once it is scarred, it doesn’t filter as well and can lead to chronic kidney disease. When there is a lot of scarring and the kidney doesn’t filter much at all, dialysis is needed. This is where a machine does the job the kidneys are meant to do. Things that increase your risk of kidney damage are:
1. Diabetes
2. High blood pressure and smoking
3. Genetic diseases
4. Obesity
5. Being a First Nations person
6. Being older than 60
7. Having heart problems or
a previous stroke 8. Being sick in the past and your kidney function getting worse, but then recovering (this is called acute kidney injury)
How do I know if I have kidney problems?
Often, people won’t know they have problems because your kidney must lose a lot of function (sometimes more than 90 per cent) before you notice any symptoms. The symptoms can be quite vague, but clues may be:
• Worsening blood pressure
• Changes in your urine colour and/or amount
• Swollen legs and other parts of your body
• Tiredness and fatigue
• Bad breath and a metallic taste in the mouth
• Nausea and vomiting
How can I prevent kidney damage?
If you’re healthy, then your kidneys will be healthy. Regular exercise, limited alcohol intake, being a healthy weight and not smoking will significantly decrease your risk of kidney damage. If you have diabetes, good sugar control is very important. Blood pressure control is also important so ensure you have a healthy diet low in salt and regularly take any blood pressure medications you may be on. Depending on your other medical problems, your blood pressure should be below 140/90 mmhg.
How much fluid should I drink to keep my kidneys happy?
There is no defined amount, but you should be aiming to have a urine colour that is only faint yellow throughout the day. The first urine of the day may be a darker yellow colour, but this is okay. Water is the best fluid for the kidney, and always the best option. Avoid soft drinks as they are high in sugar.
I’m concerned I’m at risk of having kidney problems
If you have read this and think you may have a risk factor for kidney disease, ask your GP for a kidney health check. This involves checking your blood pressure, a urine test, and a blood test. Another test your doctor will look at is called your EGFR – this is an estimate of your overall kidney function as a per centage. When someone has less than 10 per cent kidney function, they may get started on dialysis.