Your kidney is a small but mighty power house to your health. A kidney is only about 10 centimeters in length, or roughly the size of an adult’s fist. However, the kidney helps to remove waste from the body, releases hormones that regulate blood pressure and control the production of red blood cells among other things.
1 in 3 Americans are at risk for kidney disease with a variety of signs including high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of kidney failure.
Poor kidney health isn’t always life-threatening—can come in small symptoms of trouble focusing and muscle cramps and still disrupt normal life.
The good news is there are a few simple habits that can make all the difference for the mighty kidney.
Here are four easy tips to care for your kidney health:
Prioritize ActivityÂ
In a sedentary lifestyle (trucking or office environments), getting up and active can make a huge difference to our health. Movement can reduce blood pressure which helps your kidney.
Reduce Salt Intake
Kidneys filter the bloodstream. A healthy diet is enough sodium for the blood filtering process to run smoothly. Too much added salt and fast food strain the kidneys from normal function.
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration can lead to a build up of waste in the body. If the kidneys are getting rid of waste, water is the method to carry them out. Prolonged dehydration can contribute to kidney stones.
Regulate Over-the-counter Pain Medicine
A side effect to over-the-counter pain killers like ibuprofen is kidney damage. Regular or overuse can contribute to decreased kidney function.
