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by Sam Leaver
-20 April 2020
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We are joining in with World Kidney Day 2020 to help raise awareness of kidneys, why they are important and how to improve your kidney health.
It’s a topic that’s too important to ignore and you can get involved on 12 March with events being held across the county as people come together to mark World Kidney Day 2020. You can follow the action on social media and join in by using the tags #KidneysMatter and #WorldKidneyDay.
Eight facts that everyone should know
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1million people in the UK don’t know they have kidney disease.
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Kidneys activate vitamin D to help keep your bones and muscles healthy.
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Kidneys clean your blood 40 times every day, removing toxins and waste products.
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Kidney disease is often silent in its early stages with no obvious symptoms.
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Uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure are the biggest causes of kidney failure.
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People from black, Asian or ethnic backgrounds are more likely to progress faster to kidney failure.
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4,977 people are waiting for a kidney transplant, but the number of operations carried out each year is only 3,594.
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An estimated 60,000 people in the UK die prematurely every year due to kidney disease.
Early diagnosis and treatment, as well as changes to your diet and lifestyle, are vital and can often help slow down or prevent any further damage. However, if Chronic Kidney Disease goes undetected or is not managed well, it can progress to kidney failure, which is fatal without treatment. Patients with kidney failure will need regular dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Six ways to improve your kidney health
There are several easy ways to reduce the risk of developing kidney disease. Some small changes in your everyday life can have enormous health benefits.
1. Keeping fit and active
This helps reduce your blood pressure which will also reduce your risk of kidney disease.
2. Eating healthily and keep your weight in check
This can help prevent diabetes, heart disease and other conditions associated with kidney disease.
3. Keep well hydrated
This helps the kidneys clear sodium, urea and toxins from the body which can significantly lower risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Take part in the 30 day water challenge this April.
4. Don’t smoke
Smoking slows blood flow to the kidneys, deceasing their ability to function properly.
5. Monitor your blood pressure
High blood pressure accelerates kidney damage. To protect yourself from kidney disease you should maintain a diet low in salt and saturated fats.
6. Get your kidney function tested
If anyone in your family has suffered from kidney disease, you are diabetic or have high blood pressure or if you are of South Asian or African-Caribbean ethnic background.
For more information about keeping your kidneys healthy, Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis, Transplants and Living Donation, please visit the National Kidney Federation website.
Visit our blog to find out about Travel Insurance for kidney disease.
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