Kidney Disease: What You Need to Know

Kidney Disease: What You Need to Know

Kidney disease is something that affects many people. In fact, 1 out of 7 adults in the U.S. has it!

But what is kidney disease?

Let’s keep it simple. Your kidneys are two little organs shaped like beans. Their job is to clean your blood by getting rid of waste and extra water. They turn this waste into pee. If your kidneys stop working well, it’s called kidney disease.

Sometimes kidneys don’t work like they should. Here are some common reasons:

• Diabetes: Too much sugar in the blood can hurt your kidneys.
• High Blood Pressure: This can damage the small blood vessels in your kidneys.
• Family Problems: Some people are born with kidney issues, like cysts (little bubbles) on their kidneys.
• Other Illnesses or Infections: These can also harm kidneys.
• Medications: Some medicines can hurt your kidneys if you’re not careful.What Happens When
• YourKidneys Aren’t Working?

When your kidneys don’t work well, you might:

• Feel really tired or weak.
• See your legs or face get puffy from too much fluid.
• Feel sick to your stomach or lose your appetite.
• Go to the bathroom more or less than usual.
• Have itchy skin or muscle cramps.

How Can You Take Care of Kidney Disease?

The good news? You can manage kidney disease! Here’s how:

• Listen to your doctor and take your medicine.
• Treatments like dialysis (a machine that helps do the kidney’s job) or a kidney transplant can help if needed.
• Eat healthy foods that are good for your kidneys—less salt and certain minerals.
• Stay active and don’t smoke.
• Keep your blood pressure and blood sugar in check.
• Take care of your feelings. If you’re sad or stressed, talk to someone who can help.

Why Is This Important?

Kidney disease is common, but lots of people don’t know they have it. Once kidneys stop working, it’s hard to fix them. That’s why it’s super important to catch and treat kidney problems early.

Take Care of Your Kidneys!

Kidney disease can seem scary, but knowing about it helps. Keep your kidneys healthy by:

1. Living a good lifestyle.
2. Managing your health problems.
3. Working with your doctor.

Remember, kidneys may be small, but they do big things for your body. Let’s take care of them!