Intermountain Health Offers Tips How to Keep Your Kidneys Healthy and When to Get Checked

March is National Kidney Health Month and a time to raise awareness about chronic kidney disease and how to keep the kidneys healthy.

Kidneys are easy to take for granted, but they perform a crucial and important function for the body. The kidneys are fist sized organs located in the middle of a person’s back with the primary function of filtering waste and fluid from the body’s blood. Kidneys also control and adjust electrolyte levels in the blood as well as make hormones that help your body make red blood cells and keep your bones healthy.

More than 37 million people in the U.S. have some form of kidney disease. And as many as nine in 10 adults with chronic kidney disease don’t know they have it.

“Early detection of kidney disease is important because it often begins without causing any noticeable symptoms,” said Taylor Moody, MD, a nephrologist at Intermountain Health based in in the Ogden, Utah area.

“Your primary care provider can help you know when to check to see how your kidneys are functioning. There are two simple lab tests, a blood test and a urine test, that can help identify your risk for chronic kidney disease and can give you a Kidney Risk Score,” she added.

Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease

People who have any of these health conditions are at higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease.

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Obesity
• Autoimmune disease
• Anatomical defects
• Genetic diseases
• Smoking

“Chronic kidney disease is progressive and can put you at risk for serious health complications including heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. But, adopting a healthy lifestyle, including making changes to your diet, can help you manage chronic kidney disease and its complications from progressing to later stages,” said Dr. Moody.

Lifestyle habits to help keep your kidneys healthy

• See your primary care provider regularly
• Drink enough water. Aim for 6-8 glasses per day. Your urine should be clear to light yellow.
• Manage your blood pressure and monitor blood sugar levels
• Eat a diet rich in plants including whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. Cut back on red meat.
• Exercise regularly. Aim for 150 minutes per week. Walking is a great way to start if you aren’t exercising regularly.
• Aim for a healthy weight.
• Make time for enough sleep. Aim for 7-8 hours per night.

People with Chronic Kidney Disease can benefit from a visit with a registered dietitian nutritionist either in person or through telehealth.

Some general guidance for those who need to improve their Kidney Risk Score

• Avoid non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen or high dose aspirin.
• Limit sodium to less than 2300 mg per day.
• Ensure diabetes and high blood pressure are well controlled.

For more information or to find a provider, visit the Kidney Care or Primary Care page at intermountainhealth.org