Amazing kidneys - are yours healthy?

We often do not value our organs as much as the visible body parts we see and use daily.

It is much easier to go for a massage or physiotherapy to relieve muscle pain than to live a healthy lifestyle and eat nutritious meals, even though what we eat and drink plays such an invaluable role in keeping our organs - and in turn our bodies - healthy.

12 March 2009 celebrates World Kidney Day and this year's theme is: ‘Amazing kidneys - are yours healthy? Keep the pressure down'. It is almost unthinkable that two bean-shaped organs that we do not even give any thought to can perform so many functions to keep our bodies in optimum shape! All this when, according to the National Kidney Foundation of South Africa, ten thousand South African men and women, young and old, will die of kidney disease or kidney failure every year.

Given the fact that our kidneys play such a tremendous role in our well being, GEMS, South Africa's second largest medical scheme, would like to take this opportunity to inform and educate its members on how to care for their kidneys in order for them to function optimally.

To understand exactly how our kidneys function, picture a pool filter that removes leaves, bugs and impurities from the water while letting chlorine and clean water through. In a nutshell, this is precisely how our kidneys function. While most parts of our bodies and organs absorb oxygen and nutrients, our kidneys act as the pool filters of the body by sifting through unwanted and dangerous chemicals. Our kidneys are so amazing that they retain the substances we need to be healthy, while eliminating toxic waste in the form of urine. 

According to statistics from the National Kidney Foundation of South Africa, our kidneys produce approximately 150 litres of urine per day.  They reabsorb almost 149 litres of useful substances like proteins and nutrients before excreting plus minus two litres of waste, like drugs, medicines, chemicals and hormones that our bodies do not need.  All while controlling the amount of acidity and alkalinity (pH) in your body. Whenever the kidneys filters are damaged or do not function properly, it can result in kidney disease.

What is kidney disease?
There are a number of different kidney diseases ranging from Glomerulonephritis (a type of kidney disease that damages the kidney filters), kidney stones, kidney cancer and diabetic kidney disease.

Some people that develop a kidney disease will be lucky enough to be treated by dialysis or even a kidney transplant. There are however also other kidney conditions, which do not require dialysis, but can have an enormous impact on your quality of life.

The good news is that many of these conditions can be prevented and successfully treated with early detection.

What are the signs of kidney disease?
If your kidneys do not perform their function of ridding the body of harmful toxins, kidney failure will eventually poison your body and even your mind. The following symptoms may occur:

• Swelling of the body
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Poor appetite
• Insomnia (sleeplessness)
• Body aches and pains
• Impairment of thought processes
•  Headaches and high blood pressure

If you display any signs of these symptoms, you should see your doctor immediately.

How can I keep my kidneys healthy?
As mentioned, many kidney diseases can be prevented by following these tips:

• Quit smoking. This is one of the most important lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of developing a kidney disease. Smokers are three times more likely to have reduced kidney function;
• Limit your alcohol intake. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to heart disease and high blood pressure, which increase the risk of kidney disease;
• Live life to it fullest. Being healthy and happy will have a positive influence on your mind and body;
• Eat nutritious food! The food we eat plays a huge role in our health. By ensuring that you eat a balanced, nutritious diet you can help prevent kidney disease. A healthy diet can also help you shed some unwanted kilos as people who are overweight have a greater risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure - both of which are major risk factors in kidney disease;
• Drink six to eight glasses of water a day. This will help your kidneys in flushing out harmful toxins;
• Exercise regularly! Walk, opt for the stairs instead of the lift and get your heart  pumping blood to your organs. It can reduce your risk of developing heart disease  and diabetes that in turn can increase your risk factors for kidney disease.

And to keep to this year's World Kidney Day theme, remember to undergo regular blood pressure screenings, as high blood pressure is one of the key symptoms and causes of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Having said all this, lets make 12 March 2009 a day of celebration in honour of the humble yet amazing kidney!  But, more importantly lets start keeping our kidneys healthy.

If you would like to know more about your kidneys, you can phone the GEMS call centre on 0860 00 4367 or send a SMS to 083 450 4367. GEMS will assist you in every way possible to ensure your health and well being.