07/03/2022
CARE OF YOUR KIDNEYS
WHAT ARE THE KIDNEYS?
• The kidneys are two bean shaped organs located at the back of our abdomen.
• An adult kidney weighs 120 – 170g and is 12cm long, 6cm wide, 2.5cm thick
• The kidneys are well protected by the ribs, muscles, fat and the renal capsule which surround each kidney
FUNCTIONS OF THE KIDNEY
1. The kidneys make urine – through urine the kidneys remove toxins (all the harmful things) and excess water from our body
2. Controls/maintains level of salts (e.g. sodium and potassium) in the blood
3. Regulate blood pressure
4. Helps control production of red blood cells (the cells in the blood that have hemoglobin which carries oxygen all over the body)
5. Activates vitamin D to keep your bones strong
SOME COMMON PRESENTATIONS OF KIDNEY DISEASES
• Infections – urinary tract infections
• Kidney failure
• Kidney stones
• Cancer
• Congenital abnormalities (defect from birth)
• Inherited conditions affecting the kidney
SOME SYMPTOMS OF KIDNEY PROBLEMS
• Burning while passing urine
• Blood in urine
• Headaches or confusion
• Loss of appetite or feeling thirsty
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea, vomiting, and weakness
• Major reduction in the amount of urine passed
• Swelling or numbness in hands and feet.
8 GOLDEN RULES TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR KIDNEYS
1. Keep fit and active - Keeping fit helps to reduce your blood pressure and therefore reduces the risk of Chronic Kidney Disease.
2. Keep regular control of your blood sugar level - About half of people who have diabetes develop kidney damage. Kidney damage from diabetes can be prevented if detected early
3. Monitor your blood pressure - High blood pressure is one of the most common cause of kidney damage in Botswana.
4. Eat healthy and keep your weight in check - Reduce salt intake. Recommended sodium intake is 5-6 grams of salt per day (around a teaspoon). Maintain BMI 18 -25. If overweight, weight reduction can help control BP, sugars and kidney disease
5. Maintain a healthy fluid intake - Drink 1.5 – 2 liters of water per day (6 -8 glasses)
6. Do not smoke - Smoking slows the flow of blood to the kidneys. Smoking also increases the risk of kidney cancer by about 50 percent
7. Do not take over-the-counter pills on a regular basis - Common drugs such non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are known to cause kidney damage and disease if taken regularly.
8. Get your kidney function checked if you have one or more of the ‘high risk’ factors, such as: Diabetes, Hypertension, Obesity or a Family history of kidney disease