March is National Kidney Month. Why is this important? National Kidney Month is when communities and health professionals nationwide unite to raise awareness about kidney disease and kidney health. 

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious, progressive condition that affects 37 million people in the U.S. alone, and many of those people don’t even know they have the disease. CKD is often asymptomatic until the middle to late stages, which is when it becomes more challenging to slow progression and prevent complications. 

Improved education, easy screenings for early detection, new interventions, and lifestyle changes, however, can go far to reduce the risk of disability and death from CKD. Spreading the word out about kidney health and care, and CKD prevention and management is the goal of National Kidney Month 2021.*

The importance of kidney health

Your kidneys support all the systems in your body and help:

• Regulate your blood pressure and fluid levels
• Remove wastes from your blood
• Activate vitamin D for bone health
• Balance minerals in your bloodstream
• Direct the production of red blood cells

What can happen if your kidneys aren’t healthy?

When kidneys lose their ability to filter wastes and excess fluid from your body, that loss of function can cause:

• Nerve damage
• Anemia
• Weak, brittle bones
• Cardiovascular disease
• Heart attack
• Hypertension
• Stroke
• Kidney failure  

Who should be screened for CKD?

Anyone 18 years old or older in a high-risk demographic should be screened for kidney disease. Ask your doctor to test you, or look for free screenings being offered in your neighborhood. Lab tests are critical for the early detection of CKD since the early stages of the disease are usually without noticeable symptoms. Blood and urine tests will indicate whether your kidneys are functioning properly and at optimum levels. 

What are the symptoms of CKD?

Noticeable symptoms of CKD often include:

• Puffy eyes
• Swelling in your face, hands, abdomen, ankles, and/or feet
• Painful, difficult urination
• Blood in your urine or foamy urine
• Unexplained increased thirst
• General weakness and fatigue

How is CKD treated?

CKD is treated with a combination of:

• Diet changes, such as regulating sodium, potassium, protein, and fluids
• Lifestyle changes, such as getting moderate exercise and quitting smoking
• Effective management of underlying medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension with supportive medications

If the disease progresses to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and kidney failure (loss of 85-90% of kidney function), patients have two options: dialysis and/or kidney transplantation. 

What are some tips to optimize my kidney health?

There are steps you can take to optimize your kidney health, whether you have CKD or not, such as:

• Stay connected with your healthcare team, ask questions, and attend scheduled visits.
• Take your medications as prescribed, and avoid NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all the medicines you take.
• Craft a kidney-friendly meal plan and maintain a healthy weight. 
• Create and stick to an exercise routine appropriate for your ability and health goals.
• Practice healthy sleep habits, and aim for seven or eight hours per night.
• Make stress management part of your daily routine. 

Your kidneys will thank you.

To celebrate National Kidney Month, consider sharing your kidney disease-fighting journey on the American Kidney Fund’s Kidney Month community page.

*National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (). National Kidney Month 2021. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/community-health-outreach/national-kidney-month