Five tips to kidney health
As many as two million Canadians have or are at risk of kidney disease, writes Dr. Davinder Wadehra.
According to the Canadian Kidney Foundation, as many as two million Canadians have chronic kidney disease or are at risk of kidney disease — and most are unaware of it. Talk to your doctor to better understand how your kidneys work and to determine if you need a blood test to know how well your kidneys are functioning.
Here are five tips to kidney health:
ONE: Maintain a healthy blood pressure. Controlling your blood pressure can reduce the risk of kidney disease. High blood pressure can cause scarring of the filters in your kidneys and lead to a decrease in kidney function.
TWO: Control your blood sugar. If you have diabetes, controlling your blood sugar is very important. High blood sugar clogs all blood vessels including the filters of the kidney, which can lead to decreased kidney function.
THREE: Maintain a healthy weight. Eating a well-balanced diet and staying physically active can help. People with kidney disease who are underweight are at a higher risk of malnutrition, which can affect your energy level and how well you fight off infections.
FOUR: Quit smoking. If you smoke, make a commitment to quit. Smoking increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, lung disease, kidney disease and cancer. Smoking can be particularly harmful if you have kidney disease and can increase the risk of progression to end-stage kidney disease, which may require dialysis.
FIVE: Be careful with painkillers. Be very careful about taking non-prescription medications, particularly over the counter NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) like ibuprofen. Discuss all medications with your doctor or pharmacist before you take any. Certain other medications, toxins, pesticides and illegal drugs (such as heroin and cocaine) can also cause kidney damage.
Dr. Davinder Wadehra is the William Osler Health System's Division Head and Medical Director of Nephrology. The health system includes Etobicoke General Hospital, Brampton Civic Hospital and Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness.
