10/03/2022
WORLD KIDNEY DAY
10 March 2022
SOMETHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR KIDNEYS!
The kidneys are important life-sustaining organs. Their main job is to cleanse(filter) the blood of toxins or wastes. It is these toxins/wastes and excess water which form urine.
Most people have two kidneys. They are shaped like beans and are found either sides of your spine, each one is about 10-15cm long (about the size of your fist). They filter about 200 litres of fluid every day and get rid of 1-1,5 litres of urine per day.
WHAT YOUR KIDNEYS CAN PERFORM:
1. Help to control blood pressure.
2. Maintain salt and water balance.
3. Maintain the blood in a neutral(non-acid )state.
4. Help keep your bones healthy.
5. Filter the blood to get rid of waste products from your body.
6. Secrete a number of essential hormones.
7. Remove excess fluid and regular certain minerals such as potassium, sodium and calcium which come from the food you have eaten.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR KIDNEYS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY:
Harmful toxins and excess fluids will build up in your body,which may cause the symptoms of kidney disease. These symptoms can include:
1. Loss of appetite
2. Fluid retention and/or lower back pain
3. Swelling in the face and ankles
4. Persistent headaches
5. Extreme tiredness or lethargy
6. High blood pressure
There are stages of Chronic Kidney Disease(CKD), with stage 1 being the mildest and stage 5 being the advanced stage.
KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER:
1. The main job of kidneys is to cleanse the blood of toxins and change waste into urine
2. The most common causes of chronic kidney disease are uncontrolled high blood pressure and diabetes.
3. The term โchronicโ in the kidney disease refers to a condition that lasts a lifetime. It does not mean severe.
4. Kidney function is measured by a blood test (eGFR)
5. Your urine will be tested regularly for any signs of blood or protein.