National Kidney Month

March 12, 2021

Ask not what your kidneys can do for you, ask what you can do for your kidneys. March is National Kidney Month so it’s time to really learn what these two kidneys we have are providing for us, and what we can do in return to maximize their health and longevity.

Each kidney is about the size of an adult fist, located on either side of the spine just below the rib cage. Here are a few of the many vital functions of the kidneys: they help remove waste and excess fluid, filter the blood, control the production of red blood cells, make vitamins that control growth, and release hormones that regulate blood pressure. The kidneys filter about 200 quarts of fluid every 24 hours, returning 198 quarts of “cleaned” blood back into the body, eliminating approximately two quarts of fluid in the form of urine.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, more than 37 million American adults are living with kidney disease. There are a number of physical signs of kidney disease, but people often attribute them to other conditions. Some signs are: bloody or foamy urine, puffiness around your eyes, swollen ankles/feet, loss of appetite, muscle cramping, or the need to urinate more often.

In the US, the two leading causes of kidney failure — also called end stage kidney disease or ESRD — are diabetes and high blood pressure. When controlled by treatment, the associated kidney disease can often be prevented or slowed down. The kidneys can also be damaged by overuse of some over-the-counter painkillers and by taking illegal drugs such as heroin. 

What can you do for your kidneys to ensure their health? MLHS staff Nephrologist Dr. Jeffrey Skogen recommends good management of diabetes first and foremost, as 50% of all kidney disease is due to diabetes. “Good control of high blood pressure is next in line as this causes another 25% of all kidney disease,” Skogen pointed out. “Avoid everyday, long-term use of NSAID medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) etc. as these can scar the kidneys.” Finally, Skogen says, drinking six to eight cups of water every day allows the kidneys to optimally filter the blood and balance all of the body's volume & chemistries.