Kidney Awareness: Protecting Your Health from the Inside Out
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By Sheldon Riklon, M.D.
Your kidneys are small, but powerful organs that work around the clock to keep your body functioning properly. Because kidney disease often develops without noticeable symptoms, it’s easy to overlook kidney health. That’s why making kidney screening part of your regular health checkups is so important.
The Importance of Your Kidneys
Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located just below your rib cage that perform some necessary functions to keep your body balanced and healthy, including:
- Filter waste and extra fluid from your blood to produce urine
- Help control blood pressure
- Balance minerals like salt, potassium, and vitamin D
- Support red blood cell production
- Keep your bones healthy
When your kidneys are not working properly, waste and fluid can build up in the body. Over time, this can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD).
What is Chronic Kidney Disease?
Chronic kidney disease is very common. About 35 million Americans are estimated to have the disease, but most are undiagnosed.
CKD typically happens over time as the kidneys slowly become damaged and can no longer filter blood as well as they should. Because of the slow progression, kidney disease is often unnoticed in its early stages, and many people do not know they have it until it becomes severe and the symptoms begin to interrupt daily life.
When symptoms do appear, they may include:
- Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
- Changes in urine (foamy, discolored, or changes in frequency)
- Fatigue or weakness
- Swelling in legs or feet
- Muscle cramps or low back pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent itching or skin rash
If left untreated, CKD can lead to end-stage renal disease, meaning the kidneys no longer function. At that point, a person may need dialysis treatment, which uses a machine to remove waste and extra fluid from the blood, or a kidney transplant.
Diabetes and Kidney Disease
While several factors increase the risk of chronic kidney disease, including age and family history, diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney disease and kidney failure. This is because high blood sugar and high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys over time. Currently in the U.S., one in three adults with diabetes and one in five adults with high blood pressure have chronic kidney disease.
Diabetes is a growing health concern as it affects nearly 11% of the U.S. population. In Arkansas, the burden is even greater with about 15% of Arkansans living with the disease. Certain populations, including Black, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, have high rates of diabetes and high blood pressure, putting them at a higher risk for kidney disease.
If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease, talk to your health care provider about getting screened. Early detection can prevent serious complications such as stroke, heart disease, anemia, bone disorders, and electrolyte imbalances.
How You Can Protect Your Kidneys
Protecting your kidneys goes beyond screening — it means building healthy habits that support your entire body. Follow these tips to help you get started:
- Manage diabetes and high blood pressure.
If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, keeping these conditions under control is essential.
- Monitor your blood sugar by checking regularly, including before and after meals.
- Take your medications as prescribed, even if you feel fine.
- Keep regular checkups with your doctor.
- Eat Healthy, Nutritious Foods
Making small, consistent nutritional changes can make a big difference in your health.
- Choose lean meats, like fish, grilled chicken, and lentils.
- Add more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to your diet.
- Limit sugary drinks, processed and fried foods, and high-sodium items.
- Meal planning and cooking at home more often can help you stay on track.
- Be Physically Active
Physical activity helps your body use insulin better and keeps blood sugar levels under control. It also lowers your risk of heart disease and stroke, improves mood, and reduces stress.
Try adding regular movement into your daily routine with activities such as walking, biking, gardening, or dancing.
Your kidneys work hard for you every day, but small steps today can make a lasting difference in your health tomorrow. To learn more about chronic kidney disease, visit cdc.gov.
Sheldon Riklon, M.D., is a professor in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Department of Family and Preventive Medicine and a co-investigator with the UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation.