World Kidney Awareness Month
WORLD KIDNEY AWARENESS MONTH- MARCH.
World kidney awareness month is a month assigned for the recognition of kidney, its care , diseases and treatment.
The kidneys are a pair of organs that are found on either side of the spine, just below the rib cage in the back. Kidneys:
- filter waste materials out of the blood and pass them out of the body as urine
- regulate blood pressure and the levels of water, salts, and minerals in the body
- produce hormones that control other body functions
WORLD KIDNEY MONTH: Why Are the Kidneys So Important?
However, Most people know that a major function of the kidneys is to remove waste products and excess fluid from the body. However, These waste products and excess fluid are removed through the urine. The production of urine involves highly complex steps of excretion and re-absorption. This process is necessary to maintain a stable balance of body chemicals.
The critical regulation of the body’s salt, potassium and acid content is performed by the kidneys. The kidneys also produce hormones that affect the function of other organs. For example, a hormone produced by the kidneys stimulates red blood cell production.
However, Other hormones produced by the kidneys help regulate blood pressure and control calcium metabolism.
The kidneys are powerful chemical factories that perform the following functions:
- remove waste products from the body
- remove drugs from the body
- balance the body’s fluids
- release hormones that regulate blood pressure
- produce an active form of vitamin D that promotes strong, healthy bones
- control the production of red blood cells
World kidney month; What Are the Warning Signs of Kidney Disease?
Kidney disease usually affects both kidneys. If the kidneys’ ability to filter the blood is seriously damaged by disease, wastes and excess fluid may build up in the body. Although many forms of kidney disease do not produce symptoms until late in the course of the disease, there are six warning signs of kidney disease:
- High blood pressure.
- Blood and/or protein in the urine.
- A creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) blood test, outside the normal range. BUN and creatinine are waste that build up in your blood when your kidney function is reduced.
- A glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 60. GFR is a measure of kidney function.
- More frequent urination, particularly at night; difficult or painful urination.
- Puffiness around eyes, swelling of hands and feet.
