Focus on the Kidneys During National Kidney Month in March

Interim HealthCare Blogs
Posted: 3/14/2016 9:43 AM by Interim HealthCare
March is National Kidney Month and the National Kidney Foundation is urging all Americans to give their kidneys a second thought and a well-deserved checkup. If you or a loved one have not given a urine or blood sample at the hospital or doctor’s office to check kidney function this year, it is time to do so. Sedentary elders with low fluid intake and poor nutrition and those on multiple drug regimens, especially antibiotics are particularly at risk for kidney damage.

Kidneys filter 200 liters of blood a day, help regulate blood pressure and direct red blood cell production. But they are also prone to disease; 1 in 3 Americans is at risk for kidney disease due to diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of kidney failure. There are more than 26 million Americans who already have kidney disease, and most don’t know it because there are often no symptoms until the disease has progressed.

During National Kidney Month in March, and in honor of World Kidney Day on March 14, the National Kidney Foundation offers health activities to promote awareness of kidneys, risk factors and kidney disease.

The kidneys are two, fist-sized organs in your lower back. They maintain overall health through the following functions:
  • Filtering waste out of 200 liters of blood each day.
  • Regulating of the body's salt, potassium and acid content.
  • Removing of drugs from the body.
  • Balancing the body's fluids.
  • Releasing hormones that regulate blood pressure.
  • Producing an active form of vitamin D that promotes strong, healthy bones.
  • Controlling the production of red blood cells.
Quick Facts on Kidney Disease:
  • Kidney disease is the 9th leading cause of death in the country.
  • More than 26 million Americans have kidney disease, and most don’t know it.
  • There are over 95,000 people waiting for kidney transplants.
More than 590,000 people have kidney failure in the US today.

Free Screenings: On World Kidney Day and throughout the Month of March, NKF is offering free screenings to those most at risk for kidney disease – anyone with diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of kidney failure. Locations and information can be found on the calendar on the National Kidney Foundation website. https://www.kidney.org/

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