Every day your kidneys go about their work of removing excess fluid and waste from your blood. You probably never think about them. But you should.
In addition to filtering waste, the kidneys have several other important jobs to do. Consider this: They produce the two hormones needed to make red blood cells and regulate blood pressure, and they produce the active form of vitamin D, which helps maintain calcium for bones and other body functions.
At your regular checkup, ask your doctor about a blood test to measure your kidney function. Early detection of a problem is very important.
Each kidney has millions of tiny nephrons that act as filters. Beginning around age 40, a natural loss of nephrons occurs, but because there are so many, that doesn't cause problems unless other factors are present. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or both, some nephrons will lose their ability to filter blood.
In addition to controlling diabetes and blood pressure, you can protect your kidneys with these steps.
* If you regularly take over-the-counter painkillers, especially for a long period of time, check with your doctor. The doctor may be able to recommend a safer alternative.
*Always seek prompt treatment for strep throat. When streptococcus invades the kidneys of adults, it can lead to kidney problems and kidney failure in some cases.
* Be cautious about "natural" supplements. Products labeled "natural" aren't necessarily safe, and some can work like prescription drugs. Patients taking blood thinners should know that garlic, ginger, ginko biloba, and ginseng all contain natural anticoagulants, and could cause internal bleeding in people taking blood thinners.