March is Kidney Awareness Month! You might be wondering: why is kidney awareness important? 1 in 3 Americans is at high risk for kidney disease due to common factors such as family health history, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Since over 30 million Americans are already diagnosed with kidney disease, we at Freedom Home Care want to encourage you to raise awareness on National Kidney Month and be sure to give your kidneys an annual checkup. Read more below on how to protect your kidneys.

Schedule A Checkup

If you haven’t already scheduled an annual checkup this year, now is the perfect time to do it. Kidney disease does not typically show symptoms right away, so the best way to stay on top of your kidney health is by having a checkup. It’s also a great time to have your blood pressure checked by a physician to help prevent any sort of kidney failure in the future.

Maintain A Healthy Diet

A healthy diet can start with small changes that make a big impact. Try to cut out processed foods as they tend to have large sources of sodium, nitrates, and phosphates, and they have been linked to kidney disease. Opt for items that have fewer or all-natural ingredients. Fruits and veggies make for great snacks. Try to reach for more of those instead of a snack with processed ingredients. The more color in your dish, the better!

Exercise

The beautiful spring weather is approaching and there’s no better way to enjoy it than with a nice walk around your community. A brisk walk will not only help you to exercise, but it’s also great for your mental health! Ask your partner or a friend to tag along. A walk can make for a great time to bond and catch up while also keeping your kidney health in line.

Kidney failure may not seem like an important issue, but it is more common than you think. Keeping your kidneys healthy is vital to a long and productive life. If you have further questions regarding kidney month, your kidney health, or about in-home care, contact us at Freedom Home Care today!