March is National Kidney Month. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a condition where kidneys can slowly stop working properly over time. This serious condition affects over 35.5 million people, and millions of others are at increased risk.
CKD is often overlooked until symptoms appear, but it can put you at risk for serious health complications including heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. The good news is a healthy lifestyle can prevent CKD, or help you manage CKD and keep it from getting worse.
Signs of Kidney Disease
Early detection keeps kidney disease from getting worse, but early kidney disease usually doesn’t have any symptoms. A medical test is the only way to know for sure.
You should get a kidney test if you have:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart problems
- Family members who’ve had kidney failure
As kidney disease gets worse, a person may experience the following symptoms:
- Feeling very tired
- Muscle cramps
- Changes in how often you pee
- Not feeling hungry
- Feeling sick to your stomach
- Trouble sleeping
- Problems focusing
- Itchy or numb skin
- Throwing up
- Losing weight without trying
- Breathing problems
- Chest pain
- Headaches
Don’t wait for these signs to show up. If you’re at risk, talk to your doctor about getting tested. The earlier you catch it, the better chance you have of protecting your kidneys.
A Healthy Lifestyle Can Protect Your Kidneys
A healthy lifestyle can keep your kidneys healthy. Small changes can go a long way to keeping your kidneys healthier for longer. Follow these healthy habits to help your kidney health:
- Meet regularly with your health care team
- Manage blood pressure and monitor your blood glucose levels
- Take medicine as prescribed
- Reduce stress
- Be active
- Get Enough Sleep
- Quit smoking
More Resources:
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/community-health-outreach/national-kidney-month