Kidney disease is one of the many illnesses that an individual may encounter in their lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 in 7 Americans have chronic kidney disease. That is approximately 15% of the population, or 37 million individuals in number. Like other chronic diseases, having a kidney disease subjects a person to various painful and uncomfortable symptoms, such as nausea, muscle cramps, fatigue, lack of sleep, and more.
Taking the right steps for kidney disease prevention can save you from a lot of potential pain and discomfort.
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Kidney Disease Prevention: What You Need To Do
Kidney disease is mainly caused by pre-existing conditions or complications within the body. They can be prevented by performing the following precautionary measures:
Eat the Right Foods
Eating whole grain foods such as oats, brown rice, and whole-wheat corn is recommended because they offer beneficial effects on the kidney. Make sure that you are keeping track of what you eat so that you can monitor if your diet is balanced and if you need to cut down or add certain foods into your meals. Foods that are high in calories, fats, or sugar are not recommended. They can be consumed in moderation but having too much of these foods can increase the risk of developing conditions such as diabetes or hypertension, which may lead to kidney disease.
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Live an Active Lifestyle
Participating in regular exercise and physical activity can strengthen the body and reduce the risk of developing various conditions, including kidney disease. Similar to keeping a balanced diet, living an active lifestyle ensures that an individual is less likely to develop hypertension or diabetes. Exercise trains the body to become healthier and improves various bodily functions, such as metabolism, insulin resistance, and the regulation of blood pressure. A minimum of 30-minute exercise sessions is recommended. However, you can also consult a healthcare professional for a personalized plan if you have special conditions that must be addressed.
Attend Yearly Check-ups
Identifying the state of your health is the first step to preventing kidney disease. Regular or yearly check-ups allow you to determine if you are in good shape or not. It also offers professional advice from your attending doctor about what you should be doing more, what you should stop doing, and what actions you need to take to improve your current health. Check-ups can also help you identify the early signs of disease, allowing you to resolve or address the issue before it gets worse.
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The Risk Factors of Kidney Disease
Anyone can develop kidney disease. However, some individuals are more prone to developing it due to certain factors like:
- Pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease
- Increased intake of harmful medication
- Obesity
- History of kidney disease within the family
- Smoking
- Race (Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Black Americans are more prone to kidney disease)
- Kidney structure
- Old age
Care for Your Kidney
Secure your health and protect your body by following this kidney disease prevention guide. Are you looking for someone to help you with your renal care plan? Embassy Healthcare offers medical services and assistance for all patients in need, including those with kidney disease. You can contact Embassy Healthcare for more information about how to live a happy, healthy life.
