Keeping Kidneys Healthy

Currently around 850 million people suffer from kidney disease worldwide. It is estimated that one in ten adults has chronic kidney disease (CKD). And kidney disease is predicted to be the fifth cause of premature death globally by 2040. In Indonesia, from kidney disease registry data released by the Indonesian Nephrology Association (PERNEFRI), it is estimated that the prevalence of kidney failure is around 499 per 1 million Indonesian population.

World Kidney Day (WKD) is celebrated every year in the second week of March. The aim of this celebration is to raise awareness about the importance of kidney health and preventing kidney disease.

The kidneys are bean-shaped organs located in the back, under the ribs. Every person has two kidneys whose function is to filter blood and remove waste from the body through urine. The kidneys play an important role in regulating blood pressure by producing the enzyme renin, maintaining electrolyte balance, and producing the hormone erythropoietin which functions to stimulate the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. The kidneys also produce an active form of vitamin D which is useful in maintaining bone health.

Even though the kidneys play a very important role in our body, kidney health is often ignored by many people. This is because the kidneys do not cause significant symptoms in the early stages of the disease. As a result, many people are not aware that they have kidney problems unless the disease is already severe.

Causes of Kidney Disease

There are several diseases that can attack the kidneys, namely:

1. Kidney failure is a condition where the kidneys cannot function properly to filter waste from the blood.
2. Kidney stones are hard lumps that form in the kidneys.
3. Kidney infection is an infection that attacks the kidneys.
4. Chronic kidney disease is a condition in which the kidneys experience gradual damage.
5. Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic condition that causes the growth of cysts in the kidneys.
6. Kidney disease due to diabetes, hypertension, lupus.

Tips for Maintaining Kidney Health

Because of the importance of kidney function for our bodies, it is necessary to take action to prevent kidney disease and maintain the health of our kidneys. There are several things that can be done, including:

A. Exercise regularly and stay active.

Regular exercise such as swimming, walking and running can maintain ideal body weight, reduce blood pressure and maintain blood sugar levels.

B. Eat healthy food.

It is recommended to consume healthy foods by reducing the intake of salt, sugar and fat so that it can reduce blood pressure, prevent diabetes, heart disease and other conditions related to chronic kidney disease.

C. Check and control blood sugar.

If blood sugar levels are not controlled properly, diabetes sufferers will be at high risk of kidney damage because high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels and nephrons in the kidneys so that they do not function as they should.

D. Check and control blood pressure.

High blood pressure can damage the kidneys and the risk increases if it is accompanied by other diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart and blood vessel disease.

E. Drink enough.

Normal fluid requirements for healthy people are around 8 glasses or 2 liters per day. Consuming enough water can help the kidneys excrete sodium, urea and other waste products from the body's metabolism, thereby reducing the risk of kidney disease.

F. Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.

Smoking can slow down blood flow to the kidneys, this is due to nicotine plaques forming on the walls of blood vessels so that the lumen of blood vessels becomes narrow and stiffness occurs in the blood vessels which can reduce the flow or output of blood through the blood vessels to the kidneys. .

G. Do not use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/pain relievers regularly.

Consuming NSAID (Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Disease) anti-pain drugs such as ibuprofen, diclofenac sodium and others regularly for a long time and without a doctor's recommendation can cause kidney damage.

H. Reduce stress.

Stress and anxiety can increase blood pressure. It is recommended to reduce stress.

I. Routinely carry out regular examinations, especially for people who have risk factors for suffering from kidney disease, including those over 50 years old, diabetics, hypertensive sufferers, smokers, obese, and have a family history of kidney disease.