World Kidney Day, March 8th, 2012.

We all know that March 8th, is International Women's Day. Little do we know that it is also World Kidney Day. Be aware and spread awareness about how to keep your kidneys healthy.

What is kidney disease?

Kidney disease damages your kidneys, preventing them from cleaning your blood as well as they should.

This damage can cause wastes to build up in your body and lead to other health problems, including heart disease, anemia, and bone disease.

Chronic kidney disease eventually can cause kidney failure if it is not treated.

If you do have the disease, it's important to be diagnosed early. Treatment can slow down the disease, and prevent or delay kidney failure. Because chronic kidney disease often develops slowly and with few symptoms, many people with the condition don't realize they're sick until the disease is advanced and requires dialysis.

Simple Tips for Keeping Your Kidneys Healthy

Steps to help keep your kidneys healthy include the following:

·         Keep blood pressure below 130/80 mm/Hg.

·         Stay in your target cholesterol range.

·         Eat less salt and salt substitutes.

·         Eat healthy foods.

·         Stay physically active.

·         Take your medications as prescribed.

If you have diabetes, take these steps, too:

·         Meet blood sugar targets as often as you can.

·         Have an A1c test at least twice a year, but ideally up to four times a year. An A1c test measures the average level of blood sugar over the past three months.