Your kidneys are among the most important organs that work round the clock to keep you fit and healthy. While many people do not give much thought to the hard-working kidneys, statistics say at least 33 per cent of adults across the world are at risk of developing kidney disease.

According to experts, the main risk factors of kidney disease are type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, a family history of kidney disease, and obesity.

Maintaining kidney health is extremely important to your overall health and general well-being. By keeping your kidneys healthy, your body will filter and expel waste properly and produce hormones to help your body function properly. Here are a few golden rules for prevention:

Those with diabetes are prone to developing kidney damage. And so, when your body cells cannot use the glucose in your blood, your kidneys would be forced to work extra hard to filter your blood. Over some time of exertion, it can cause life-threatening damage.

However, to manage your blood sugar, you can reduce the risk of damage by taking adequate steps to reduce or prevent additional damage.

You can get your kidney checked with two simple tests: a urine test and a blood test. A urine test known as albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) checks if there is a protein called albumin in your urine. A blood test called glomerular filtration rate tells how well your kidneys are working to remove waste from your body.

High blood pressure damages your kidneys and increases your chances of getting kidney disease. If your blood pressure gets high, your doctor may have you take medicine.

Making simple changes in your lifestyle like cutting back on salt and alcohol, losing excess weight, and exercising can help keep your blood pressure in check.

Doctors advise drinking at least eight glasses of water daily, which helps you to stay hydrated. Regular, consistent water intake is healthy for your kidneys as it helps clear sodium and toxins from your kidneys. It also lowers your risk of chronic kidney disease.

According to experts, you must drink at least 1.5–2 litres daily, which largely depends on your health and lifestyle. Those who have had a kidney issue like stones previously should drink more water to help prevent stone deposits in the future.

Smoking damages your body’s blood vessels as it leads to slower blood flow throughout your body and kidneys. Smoking also puts your kidneys at an increased risk for cancer.

If you stop smoking, the risk will drop.

Regular exercise and working out are great for you. Not only does it help lower the risk of chronic kidney disease but also reduces your blood pressure and boosts heart health, which are equally important for preventing kidney damage.

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