March is National Kidney Month

Normal, healthy kidneys filter blood each day, creating excess fluid, salts, and waste products that are removed as urine. Loss of function of these organs, even for a short period of time or due to gradual decline, can result in life-threatening complications.

Click here for ways improve YOUR kidney health

Do you know your risk for kidney disease? If not take the one minute kidney risk assessment quiz from the National Kidney Foundation.

Do you know your numbers? Being aware of your numbers helps you and your doctor understand your risk for kidney disease. Click here to learn more.

Get your kidneys tested, to check for kidney disease, health care providers use:

• A blood test that checks how well your kidneys are filtering your blood, called GFR. GFR stands for glomerular filtration rate.
• A urine test to check for albumin. Albumin is a protein that can pass into the urine when the kidneys are damaged.
• If you are not sure you have had these tests, it is always best to ask your doctor.

For more information on kidney tests

Factors that raise your risk for kidney disease include:

• High blood sugar levels
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Eating foods high in salt
• Being overweight
• Having heart disease
• Family history of kidney failure

The best ways to keep your kidneys healthy:

• Keep your blood pressure below 140/90, or ask your doctor what the best blood pressure target is for you
• Stay in your target cholesterol range
• Eat foods lower in salt
• Eat more fruits and vegetables
• Stay active
• Take your medications as directed

Diabetes and Kidney Health

Diabetes and kidney disease often go hand in hand. The kidneys are vital organs responsible for waste management, which is crucial for maintaining your body's chemical balance and blood pressure. With diabetes, the small blood vessels in the body are injured. When the blood vessels in the kidneys are injured, your kidneys cannot clean your blood properly.

Diabetes also may cause damage to nerves in your body. This can cause difficulty in emptying your bladder. The pressure resulting from your full bladder can back up and injure the kidneys. Also, if urine remains in your bladder for a long time, you can develop an infection from the rapid growth of bacteria in urine that has a high sugar level.

The best way to protect your kidneys from damage is to:

• Keep blood glucose numbers close to your goal. Checking your blood glucose, or blood sugar, level is an important way to manage your diabetes. Your health care team may want you to test your blood glucose one or more times a day. More information about blood glucose.
• Keep your blood pressure numbers close to your goal. The blood pressure goal for most people with diabetes is below 140/90 mm Hg. More information about blood pressure.
• Take all your medicines as prescribed. Talk with your health care provider about certain blood pressure medicines
• Make healthy decisions at every meal. Fill your plate with a variety of natural foods. Avoid processed foods and limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Click here to learn more diabetic diet and nutrition tips.

Move More

SCAN offers a fitness benefit through One Pass in most SCAN Medicare Advantage plans. Because overall wellness is about more than just physical fitness, One Pass includes a wide variety of options for physical, mental and social health. Learn more about SCAN fitness membership benefits.