As rightly said, kidney disease is a silent killer.
There’s a good chance that you would never know until it is too late.
And who better than kidney patients to understand as they filed Truvada lawsuits in the United States after the drugmaker, Gilead, was slapped with the charge of withholding the side effects of the antiretroviral drug multiplying the risk of chronic kidney disease in HIV patients.
In fact, 2012 research from the University of California stated that out of 10,000 HIV positive patients, the risk of kidney-related diseases shot by 33% each year from taking Truvada.
If you or anyone in your family has fallen victim to such an unfortunate health condition, then you are eligible for a free, no-obligation case review with an attorney handling Truvada kidney failure lawsuits.
Such is life but you can prevent kidney diseases to a great extent by keeping your life in check.
From what you eat and drink, to how well you sleep, play and exercise – every little thing matters.
Wondering why? Well, this blog post explains how with a must-do list to maintain good kidney health and overall wellbeing:
Without any further delay, let’s begin…
1. Balanced & Nutritious Diet
What you eat and drink affects your body hugely!
People suffering from kidney diseases have to adjust to dietary changes which may or may not be pleasant.
Having a nutritious diet includes consuming fresh fruits and vegetables to suffuse your body with the desired calories, proteins, carbs and fat.
Quick Food Tips
- reduce salt intake
- avoid processed or packaged food
- avoid canned sugary drinks & canned food
- consume good fats such as avocados, brown rice & whole wheat bread.
- don’t over eat or erat too little
- do not skip meals
While finding your food for the soul is a great start, we recommend consulting a dietician or your doctor to devise a suitable kidney-friendly diet.
2. Control Blood Sugar Levels
A high blood sugar levels greatly increases the chances of developing kidney disease.
Your kidneys filter blood of all toxins, and if they aren’t functioning well, a large amount of waste remains in the body.
Diabetic patients are recommended to undergo regular screening (include blood sugar levels) so that any form of kidney disease can be prevented, and overall health can be maintained.
3. Blood Pressure
Medical studies have found high blood pressure to the 2nd most prominent cause behind increasing cases of kidney failure in the United States.
High blood pressure damages blood vessels in the kidneys, thus restricting its natural tendency to function.
The retained toxins further multiply the pressure on the blood vessels and kidneys furthermore.
It’s like a never-ending cycle unless the problem is medically diagnosed and treated accordingly.
Generally, normal blood pressure levels should hover around 120/80.
Have your blood pressure checked often and follow any medical recommendations given to you to avoid facing extreme health consequences such as kidney failure.
4. Fluid Intake
Typically, 1.5 to 2 litres of water per day is recommended to keep the body hydrated and maintain good health.
Additionally, this keeps your kidneys functioning best as toxins are flushed out from the body, thus reducing the risk of kidney disease.
Doctors however, do not recommend excessive fluid intake as that can have its own side effects on health.
The correct amount of fluid intake depends on a number of factors including age, gender, physical activity, medical history, and individual circumstances.
5. Quit Smoking
Smoking is extremely bad for your health and claims the lives of one out of every five people in the United States alone.
Smoking related diseases remain one of the greatest threats to health worldwide.
One of the main reasons is because smoking reduces the rate at which blood is pumped into the kidneys, thereby impairing its capability to function well.
Doctors highly recommend people to quit smoking for a variety of reasons, whether or not they have risks associated with kidney disease.
6. Be Careful with OTC drugs
How often we purchase OTC drugs from the a pharmacist?
You may not realise it, but ,ore often than not.
Regular intake of some very common drugs such as aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen that are known to have a detrimental effect on the kidneys.
Inform your healthcare provider if you are taking any such medications especially if you’re being treated for any other medical condition.
In short, putting your kidneys at inherent risk is never a good thing to do.
7. Stay Fit & Active
A sedentary lifestyle has become one of the main causes of many health challenges.
Sitting and being inactive for prolonged periods may have a profoundly negative impact on the kidneys.
Staying active via regular walks, going to the gym, playing sports or pursuing other physical activity keeps your blood pressure and heart in check and thus reduces the risk of many glaring health issues including kidney disease.
Staying active means staying healthy.
Without doubt, your health is your responsibility.
So do your bit, even if it means taking small steps at a time!