Keeping Kidneys Healthy
We strongly recommend visiting your family doctor on a regular basis so they can monitor your overall health.
Since kidney disease is often silent, this is one of the best ways to ensure early diagnosis. In Manitoba, your family doctor can use values that come from routine blood and urine analysis to monitor kidney function. An early diagnosis means there are actions we can take to keep kidneys working for as long as possible.
For many people, kidney disease can be treated and managed to delay or prevent a progression to kidney failure. In some cases kidney damage is not preventable. There are some medical and genetic conditions that can contribute to kidney damage, such as lupus and polycystic kidney disease.
Some of the ways to help keep kidneys healthy for as long as possible:
Visit your doctor for regular check ups.
Demandez les résultats de vos analyses d’urine. Your doctor can find out how your kidneys are doing through routine blood and urine tests.
Manage your diabetes.
High blood sugar damages kidneys. Si vous avez le diabète, assurez-vous que votre médecin demande périodiquement des analyses d’urine.
Take medications as prescribed.
Also ensure your doctor is aware of any over-the-counter medications you take regularly. Prenez vos médicaments tel que prescrit.
Aim for a healthy body weight.
Visez un poids santé.
Limit alcohol.
Limitez votre consommation d’alcool.
Maintain a healthy blood pressure.
Talk to your doctor about what a healthy blood pressure is for you. Connaissez votre tension artérielle. Visez une tension artérielle saine.
Know if you have a family history of kidney disease.
If someone in your family had/has kidney disease, you are at risk of kidney disease as well. Si un membre de votre famille est atteint d’une maladie rénale, assurez-vous de faire mesurer votre tension artérielle et votre fonction rénale périodiquement.
Be active.
Physical activity can be anything from playing with your kids/grandkids to regularly taking walks. Every bit of physical activity helps. Faites de l’exercice.
Eat healthy, balanced meals.
Mangez sainement.
Stop smoking.
Arrêtez de fumer.
Video
Check out this video for tips on how to keep your kidneys as healthy as possible apart from regular check ups with your doctor.