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Are Your Kidneys Causing Your Health Problems?

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Your kidneys are powerful, important organs for body's functioning and overall health. They perform many functions necessary for your well being, that you probably are not even aware of. For instance, did you know that the kidneys perform the following functions?

~ remove waste products from the body
~ remove drugs form the body
~ balance the body's fluids
~ release hormones that regulate blood pressure
~ produce an active form of vitamin D that promotes strong, healthy bones
~ control the production of red blood cells

Although it is important to know why the kidneys are so important, being informed of early warning signs and signals of kidney problems is crucial. According to the National Kidney Foundation, one in nine Americans has chronic kidney disease, but many do not even know it. Another 20 million people are at an increased risk of developing the disease.

"Awareness of risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension and the need for screening can go a long way toward early detection and prevention of kidney disease" says Allan Collins, MD, president-elect of the National Kidney Foundation and Director of the KEEP Data Coordinating Center.

Leading Causes of Kidney Problems and Chronic Kidney Disease

The leading causes of kidney problems include diabetes and high blood pressure. Diabetes increases pressure inside the kidney's filters. Over a period of time, this pressure damages the filters, which then leak protein into the urine. Diabetes is a disease in which your body does not make enough insulin or cannot use normal amounts of insulin properly. This results in a high blood sugar level, which can cause problems in many parts of your body. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease.

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High blood pressure is another common cause of kidney disease and other complications such as heart attacks and strokes. High blood pressure, or hypertension, means that the pressure of your blood against the walls of your blood vessels increases. If left untreated, hypertension can lead to chronic kidney disease, heart attacks and strokes. When high blood pressure is controlled, the risk of complications such as chronic kidney disease is decreased. Natural remedy for high blood pressure

You may be at risk for kidney problems and chronic kidney disease if you have diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of chronic kidney disease. Additional risk factors include being 60 years of age or older or having an African-American, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander ethnic background.

Reduced kidney function also is associated with poorer psychosocial functioning, higher anxiety, higher distress, decreased sense of well-being, higher depression, and negative health perception. Dialysis patients report significantly lower "happiness with personal life" and lower psychosocial functioning than transplant recipients, according to a study done by the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative. There are additional symptoms that could indicate decreased kidney functioning, or kidney disease. They are:

~ fatigue, a loss of energy
~ poor appetite
~ difficulty sleeping
~ dry, itchy skin
~ muscle cramping at night
~ swollen feet and ankles
~ puffiness around the eyes, particularly in the morning
~ the need to urinate more often, especially at night ~ unexpected weight loss or gain

It is important to know that if kidney problems are left unchecked, they can lead to other serious health problems (like cardiovascular disease) as well as kidney failure and could potentially be fatal. Now that you know the importance of healthy kidney functioning, use National Kidney Month to prepare your prevention plan and improve your chances of maintaining your kidney health.