March is National Kidney Month, a time to raise awareness about kidney health. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common in the U.S. — more than 1 in 7 adults (37 million people) are estimated to have CKD. As many as 9 in 10 of those adults do not know they have it.
The kidneys play a vital role in maintaining overall health. Some functions that kidneys perform include:
- Removing waste and extra fluid from the body
- Controlling blood pressure
- Making red blood cells
- Keeping bones healthy by making an active form of vitamin D
- Controlling pH levels
When people develop CKD, the kidneys become damaged over time and waste and extra fluid can accumulate in the body. This can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and early death. Making healthy lifestyle choices can both lower your risk for getting CKD and, if you have CKD, can help lower risk of complications and kidney failure.
Check out our infographic below for six tips for managing your kidney health.
It is important that you talk to your doctor about how to protect your kidneys, particularly if you have diabetes, high blood pressure or CKD. If you have questions, reach out to your doctor or your Alphascript pharmacist.
This information is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only.
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