March is National Kidney Month and DCMH is urging everyone to give their kidneys a second thought and a well-deserved checkup.

Have you ever wondered how your bones stay healthy or what exactly controls your blood pressure? Many of us take for granted the role our kidneys play in keeping us sturdy and strong. The pair of bean-shaped organs known as kidneys perform crucial and sophisticated functions within our bodies, such as processing 200 quarts of blood to eliminate two quarts of excess waste and water through urine on a daily basis.

Your kidneys are located near the middle of the back, just below the rib cage, one on each side of the spine. They work hard to:

  • Assist in creating red blood cells through the hormone erythropoietin, which stimulates the bone marrow and generates the red blood cells
  • Control chemicals in the body and keep bones healthy and strong through the hormone calcitriol, which is the active form of vitamin D
  • Help maintain blood pressure levels through the hormone renin

Unfortunately, kidneys can become vulnerable when damage to the nephrons causes them to lose their filtering capacity. The damage can occur quickly, without any signs or symptoms to inform you of the harm inflicted. One guaranteed way to know if you are in danger of kidney disease, (also known as renal disease), is to visit your physician for routine check-ups.

Since kidney disease often goes undetected, it is imperative that you play an active role in your health
and try to prevent any threats to your kidneys. At your
next health care visit, talk to your physician about:

  • Your blood pressure
  • Your blood glucose
  • Your GFR, or Glomerular Filtration Rate, which is the calculation of how efficiently the kidneys are filtering waste from the blood
  • The amount of albumin in your urine

A positive collaboration between you and your physician will ensure healthy kidneys and provide you with appropriate treatment options if you are already
at risk for kidney disease. Possible symptoms that can help you determine if you are at risk:

  • Stomach sickness
  • Feeling dizzy or tired
  • Swelling in the face, hands or feet
  • Back pain
  • Bloody or dark-colored urine
  • High blood pressure
  • Change in the number of times you go to the bathroom a day

You are at an increased risk for kidney disease if you:

  • Have diabetes
  • Have high blood pressure
  • Have a family history of kidney disease
  • Have HIV/AIDS
  • Have cardiovascular disease
  • Are over 60 years of age

Kidney diseases have often been underestimated in many respects ¬- most people are not aware of their impaired kidney function. In general, kidney diseases are “silent diseases,” most often there are no apparent early symptoms. Many people with kidney diseases are not aware that they have been living with higher risks of cardiovascular diseases, infections, hospitalizations, and of course kidney failure which requires dialysis or transplantation.

DCMH is honored to have Nephrologist Dr. Jennifer Bucki on our team of board certified specialists. She is expertly trained in the diagnosis and management of kidney disorders by regulating blood pressure, regulation of electrolytes, and balancing fluids in the body. If you or a loved one could benefit from visiting DCMH Nephrology, contact your family physician for a referral. For more information, visit www.dcmh.net or call 812-663-1311.