Knowledge Center
As a service from us to you: we have gathered thousands of health information articles. All the articles are authoritatively sourced, constantly updated, bi-lingual, and searchable. Please come back any time you want straightforward, correct answers to health information questions.
Chronic Kidney Disease
You have two kidneys, each about the size of your fist. Their main job is to filter your blood. They remove wastes and extra water, which become urine. They also keep the body’s chemicals balanced, help control blood pressure, and make hormones.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) means that your kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood as they should. This damage can cause wastes to build up in your body. It can also cause other problems that can harm your health. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the most common causes of CKD.
The kidney damage occurs slowly over many years. Many people don’t have any symptoms until their kidney disease is very advanced. Blood and urine tests are the only way to know if you have kidney disease.
Treatments cannot cure kidney disease, but they may slow kidney disease. They include medicines to lower blood pressure, control blood sugar, and lower cholesterol. CKD may still get worse over time. Sometimes it can lead to kidney failure. If your kidneys fail, you will need dialysis or a kidney transplantation.
You can take steps to keep your kidneys healthier longer:
- Choose foods with less salt (sodium)
- Control your blood pressure; your health care provider can tell you what your blood pressure should be
- Keep your blood sugar in the target range, if you have diabetes
- Limit the amount of alcohol you drink
- Choose foods that are healthy for your heart: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy foods
- Lose weight if you are overweight
- Be physically active
- Don’t smoke
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
College Health
College life involves excitement, along with new challenges, risks, and responsibilities. You are meeting new people, learning new things, and making your own decisions. It can sometimes be stressful. You have to deal with pressures related to food, drink, appearance, drugs, and sexual activity.
There are steps you can take to stay healthy and safe while you’re in college:
- Eat a balanced diet
- Get enough sleep
- Get regular physical activity
- Maintain your health with checkups and vaccinations
- If you decide to have sex, practice safe sex
- Make smart choices about alcohol and drugs
- Get help if you are stressed or depressed
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
