Why it’s Important to Have Healthy Kidneys

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that are located just below the rib cage, one on each side of the spine. It’s important to keep these organs healthy because they are responsible for keeping the rest of your body, especially your blood, healthy.

What do kidneys do?

Keeping your kidneys healthy helps keep the rest of your body healthy. In addition to preventing the build-up of waste and excess fluid in the body, kidneys are responsible for:

• • Balancing fluid content in the body (homeostasis)
    For the cells in our body to work properly, it’s important to balance the amount of water we take in and the amount we lose.
    
    

• • Regulating the removal of excess fluids
    Cells in your body can be damaged when too much water enters or leaves them.
    
    

• • Producing enzymes that help control blood pressure
    To avoid hypertension or high blood pressure, kidneys help regulate sodium and potassium levels.
    
    

• • Producing hormones that help make red blood cells
    Red blood cells help transport oxygen throughout the body to keep organs and muscles healthy.
    
    

• • Activating vitamin D
    To keep your bones healthy and strong, the kidneys convert vitamin D into its active form to promote healthy growth and remodeling of bone.
    
    

How to keep your kidneys healthy

Kidneys are in charge of removing waste from your blood. Keep them healthy with these tips:

• • Stay hydrated
    Water helps kidneys remove wastes from your body through urine. Water also helps keep your blood vessels working well, allowing blood to easily flow to the kidneys.
    
    

• • Eat well
    A kidney-friendly diet helps keep your kidneys healthy by reducing your daily intake of protein, phosphorus and sodium.
    
    

• • Exercise regularly
    Regular exercise encourages a healthy lifestyle, which in turn helps reduce your risk of obesity, high blood pressure and kidney disease.
    
    

• • Say no to tobacco
    Tobacco decreases the amount of blood that can pass through your kidneys by damaging the blood vessels.
    
    

Contact South Texas Renal Care Group at 210-212-8622 for experienced kidney disease treatment in South Texas. Our physicians are dedicated to managing the health and well being of kidney disease patients through comprehensive treatment plans.