World Kidney Day and National Kidney Month - Do You Know How Well Your Kidneys Are Functioning?

Today is World Kidney Day and March is National Kidney Month. Did you know over 35 million people in the U.S. (1 in 7 adults) have chronic kidney disease? Chronic kidney disease is also known renal disease or CKD for short. 

One of the saddest situations I have seen in my nursing career is caring for patients who has no idea they have CKD. This is far too common as the CDC estimates approximately 9 in 10 adults with CKD don’t know they have it. 

The two main causes of CKD are diabetes and high blood pressure (also known as hypertension). 

If you have diabetes and, or hypertension,  it’s important to make the recommended lifestyle changes necessary to gain better control of your blood glucose and blood pressure. Ways to achieve this are: 

1. Exercising most days of the week (do what you love, make it fun!)
2. Eating a healthy diet.
3. Losing weight if you’re overweight or obese.
4. Getting quality sleep.
5. Reduce or avoid consuming alcohol and using  tobacco products.
6. Taking your prescribed medications.

Be your own advocate: 

• Make sure you know your lab numbers: GFR for kidneys and A1C for diabetes.
• Get the lab tests and exams recommended by your doctors and healthcare providers.
• Lead a healthy lifestyle to prevent or delay CKD and other complications from diabetes and hypertension from developing. 

New Focus of this Blog: Diabetes Self-Management Tips

Spring is here and that means warmer weather, spending more time outdoors and change.

As a healthcare journalist and RN, my passion is to help others lead a healthy lifestyle and achieve improved wellness.

Several years ago, while pursuing my Master of Science in Nursing degree, my field work and studies lead me to another nursing specialty…that of a diabetes nurse educator.

Diabetes nurse educators provide strategies and education to people living with diabetes so they can achieve improved blood glucose control. 

With better glucose control, it increases the likelihood of preventing and/or delaying the risk of developing complications from diabetes.

So, I just changed the title of this blog to reflect its new focus on diabetes self-management tips. 

While these tips are evidenced-based and work for many, they are for informational purposes only. ALWAYS consult with your doctor for any questions or concerns about managing your diabetes and any health condition you may have.

Until my next posting, make time for exercise, healthy eating (watch those portion sizes), getting quality sleep and safely enjoy the warmer weather :-)