Take care of your kidneys and they’ll take care of you

Your kidneys may be small (each just about the size of a computer mouse), but they’re mighty — filtering all the blood in your body every 30 minutes. That’s about 50 gallons a day. These multitasking organs don’t just remove waste, toxins and extra fluid — they also:

• Help control your blood pressure.
• Signal your body to make red blood cells, which transport oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and body cells.
• Help keep your bones healthy.
• Regulate blood chemicals that are essential to life.

Healthy kidneys are key to overall wellness. But 1 in 7 adults in the U.S. has chronic kidney disease (CKD) — and as many as 9 in 10 don’t know it.

CKD is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood as well as they should. Because of this, excess fluid and waste build up, which can lead to heart disease, anemia, infections, loss of appetite, and depression.

The tricky part is that early stages of CKD often have no symptoms. That’s why it’s so important to know your risk and to stay current on checkups and lab tests based on your risk factors.

Certain factors can increase your risk of kidney disease, including:

• High blood pressure.
• Diabetes.
• Heart disease.
• A family history of kidney disease.
• Smoking.
• Being over age 60.

You may be at risk for CKD if any of the following apply to you. If you’re at risk for CKD, get tested regularly. Ask your doctor how often is right for you.

If you have diabetes

About 1 in 3 people with diabetes has CKD. Reduce your risk by:

• Meeting blood sugar targets as often as you can.
• Getting your A1C level tested at least twice a year (ideally up to 4 times per year).
• Get tested yearly for CKD.

If you have high blood pressure

About 1 in 5 people with high blood pressure has CKD. Reduce your risk by:

• Monitoring your blood pressure regularly.
• Talking to your doctor about ways to lower your blood pressure and medicines that harm your kidneys.

If you have a family history of CKD

CKD runs in families. You may be more likely to get kidney disease if you have a blood relative with CKD.

If you are considered overweight

Excess weight increases your risk for high blood pressure and diabetes — the leading causes of CKD — putting you at greater risk for CKD.

Get more CDC tips on maintaining healthy kidneys.

Since CKD often goes unnoticed, the only way to know for sure is through blood and urine tests. During your annual preventive care visit, ask your health care provider if kidney function screening is right for you based on your age and risk factors.

Common tests may include:

• A urine dipstick test.
• Blood tests that measure creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Learn more about these tests and talk with your provider about which are appropriate for you

You may have out-of-pocket costs for lab tests your provider orders if they are not considered preventive. Coverage for non-preventive (diagnostic) testing is based on your plan’s benefits. If you have questions about coverage, contact Accolade at (866) 406-1182.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), May 15, 2024.