Health Update

One of the organs we often take for granted are our kidneys. Yet it is perhaps one of the most hardworking of the body’s vital organs.

Filtering blood and keeping it clean, the kidneys are responsible for keeping the toxins from building up in the blood. Like any part of the body, kidneys are prone to a host of problems that if left untreated, could mean costly hospitalization and untold emotional and physical suffering.

There was a time when kidney disease was associated with older people. However, the incidence of this disease afflicting younger people has increased due to lifestyle changes that follow greater neglect for the care of this vital organ.

Poor diet and excess alcohol consumption are just some of the bad habits that often lead to renal problems.

“Renal problems are often a direct result of a person’s ignorance of the seriousness of kidney diseases. Too much salt intake can cause the profile of water and electrolyte to change causing crystal formation cause kidney stone to develop,” said Dr. Joseph Lee, a urologist at Healthway Medical at Shangri-La Plaza mall.

While kidney stones and urinary tract infections may be relatively easy to treat, kidney problems that are left untreated could lead to more serious problems like acute chronic kidney failure. This painful disease is commonly treated through dialysis.

And like dialysis, a kidney transplant is a very expensive operation, something many ordinary Filipinos can’t afford.

Keeping your kidneys healthy is both easy and inexpensive. Eating right and adopting the right lifestyle will help prolong the life of your kidneys. So, what does it take to keep your kidneys healthy?

* Avoid foods with high salt content. This helps keep the water and electrolytes balanced and prevents the formation of crystals.

* Drink lots of water. Drinking at least 10 glasses of water keeps the saline content of the urine in your kidneys low and prevents the formation of kidney stones.

* Avoid excessive alcohol intake. The kidneys have to work harder to filter the alcohol from the blood.

* Have a regular checkups. Early detection can spell the difference between a clean bill of health or not.

“As with most diseases, early detection can mean total reversal of renal problems. The money you save from skipping checkups will be negligible compared to the cost of dialysis treatment. Regular checkups go a long way in preventing renal disease from becoming irreversible” said Dr. Lee.

Source: Manila Bulletin