March is National Kidney Month

March is National Kidney Month. Many organizations focused on kidney care take this as an opportunity to raise more awareness about kidney health. There are many resources and shareable information provided from trusted sources. The goal of National Kidney Month is to continue building paths towards better kidney care, whether it's self-care or professional care.

Did you know there are 37 million people in the U.S. estimated to have chronic kidney disease? It is also estimated that as many as 9 in 10 people are not aware they have CKD (chronic kidney disease). In this article we will cover basic components of kidney health and care.

Who May Be at Risk for Kidney Diseases?

People with diabetes or high blood pressure are at high risk for developing kidney disease. It's estimated that 1 in 3 American adults are at risk for developing kidney disease. Here are some other risk factors to consider:

Risk Factors

• Diabetes
• Family history
• High blood pressure
• Age 60+

What Are Some Health Problems Kidney Disease Can Cause?

You can think of your kidneys like the body's chemical factory. It filters waste and performs essential functions such as helping to control blood pressure and producing red blood cells. If your kidneys aren't functioning as they should, it can cause major health problems.

Problems Kidney Disease can cause

• Nerve damage
• Cardiovascular disease
• Heart attack
• Weak bones
• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Kidney failure
• Anemia/low red blood count

Are There Symptoms Related to Kidney Disease?

While there are some noticeable symptoms kidney disease may cause, there are times kidneys become damaged with no physical symptoms. Here are some of the physical symptoms that could indicate potential kidney health trouble:

Symptoms

• Swelling: face, hands, abdomen, ankles, feet
• Blood in urine, foamy urine
• Puffy eyes
• Difficult, painful urination
• Increased thirst
• Fatigue

How do Kidneys Keep us Healthy?

Remember the metaphor earlier in this article that the kidneys are like the body's chemical factory? Think about all the different functions of your body and what it takes to keep it healthy. Keeping good care of your kidneys helps regulate some of the body's vital functions. Here are some examples:

Ways Kidneys Keep you Healthy

• Regulate fluid levels
• Activate Vitamin D for healthy bones
• Filter wastes from the blood
• Direct production of red blood cells
• Regulate blood pressure
• Keep blood minerals in balance

There are many steps you can take to reduce your risk of kidney disease and detect potential concerns early on. Some of these steps include controlling your blood pressure and blood sugar, stop smoking, routine and regular exercise and staying active, avoid excessive use of medications, and be sure to have a health inventory routine that includes regularly seeing your doctor to check in, especially if you're at high risk for developing kidney disease.

Partnering with BWS for Safe and Reliable Kidney Health Service Waste Management

At Biomedical Waste Services, Inc. (BWS), we have over 45 years of experience collecting, transporting, and disposing of regulated and biohazardous waste for a variety of industries in the mid-Atlantic area, including Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. We've partnered with many kidney health care facilities and treatment centers to manage their biohazardous and dialysis waste so they can focus on their patients and providing the best level of kidney care. Call or contact us today to partner with a local medical waste management company you can reply on.

References:

https://nationaltoday.com/national-kidney-month/

https://www.kidney.org/content/national-kidney-month

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/community-health-outreach/national-kidney-month

Share this article:

Facebook

Twitter

LinkediIn

Email