When you see your GP and request a health check, have you ever wondered what it entails?
As part of an adult health check, your GP would usually look at your kidneys – we call it in medical terms: renal function.
I would like to share some thoughts on why kidney health is important…
We have a pair of kidneys, and they are tugged behind the lower end of the back chest wall (posterior thoracic wall).
The kidneys have multiple functions. To name a few, regulating blood pressure, removing waste/toxins, maintaining electrolyte balance, red cell production, and regulating bone health.
We do not usually feel unwell from kidney injuries/damages, in fact, we may not feel unwell until we have lost 90% of our kidney function.
Kidney problems can affect any age group, young or old. One in three people is at risk of developing kidney problems, and less than 10% of the population are aware that they have kidney disease/injury (source: Kidney Health Australia).
How do we look after our kidneys?
Put simply, looking after your kidneys is similar to looking after your heart and blood pressure. You can reduce the risk of kidney disease by developing healthy eating habits, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, keeping well hydrated and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption. If you are on medications, check with your GP that they do not affect the kidney functions.
As part of the health check, there are some simple blood and urine tests which are performed alongside a physical examination by your GP to determine your kidney health.
Monitoring kidney health is particularly more important in people who have or are at risk of cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus, are overweight, or are taking multiple medications. Members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are also at higher risk.
For those who do not have existing health conditions, it is also essential to have your kidney health looked at, for the aforementioned reasons.
We can treat kidney disease if we make the effort to have them checked early.
CARE FOR YOUR KIDNEYS – BOOK A HEALTH CHECKUP TODAY.
For more information about Dr Sir-Kit Leong, or to book an appointment, click here.