A big role for a small organ

During the month of March we celebrate the fist-sized organ known as the kidney. The bean-shaped organ is responsible for filtering your blood for the entire body. The main purpose of National Kidney Month is to highlight Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), one of the leading causes of kidney failure.

The 2021 theme is “Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere: Living Well with Kidney Disease,” according to Annanurse.org (https://cutt.ly/Tlt7P8J), and National Kidney Day is on March 11.

The kidney is a very important organ in our health. The average human has two kidneys that work to filter up to 150 quarts (around 37 gallons) of blood to separate and expel waste.

Kidneys are not one whole system, however. Instead, they are made up of many different filtering cells called nephrons; these small systems block protein and helpful minerals in the body while letting waste pass right through.

CKD is most commonly diagnosed in young children, recognized via birth defects or an infection in the system. This disease is known to stick around for life, causing many issues that affect mental health and self-image issues for life.

While there is no permanent cure for CKD, many actions can be taken to reduce or nullify the side effects. A popular treatment is a nutrient-rich diet designed to keep the kidneys working. A dutiful watch off blood pressure may also be used since some forms of kidney disease are known to increase blood pressure in the victim.

Learning about kidney disease and how to manage it is important since anyone can be susceptible to it. National Kidney Month focuses on providing information to be more aware of kidney health. Do not be afraid to reach out to a doctor or other sources to stay on top of your kidney health, and try to take this month to learn something new about your body.