A popular quote states, ‘when you take care of your body, your body takes care of you. All parts of the body are important, playing key functions in overall wellness of the human but the most delicate ones are found inside the body and just because they’re inside doesn’t mean they’re less important. One of such is the human Kidney with vital roles such as blood filtering, toxin removal, electrolyte balancing and ensuring every other organ functions optimally.
Regardless of how important these organs are, they are often neglected until they begin to fail. The reality is that these diseases are becoming alarmingly common, often sneaking up unnoticed until significant damage is done. But what if you could protect these vital organs before trouble arises? Knowledge they say is power and that is what 13 of March every year stands to achieve, bridging the knowledge gap on the Human Kidneys, how they function, the threats they face, and how to care for them appropriately.
Every year, World Kidney Day serves as an awareness campaign, dedicated to raising consciousness about the importance of taking care of these important organs. In 2025, the theme “Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health” emphasizes strongly the need for early detection and proactive measures to safeguard kidney function. Prevention is the safest form of protection from diseases but early detection in uncontrollable circumstances can make such a tremendous difference and prevent death in most cases. You can safeguard your health and avoid life-threatening complications.
These disease are sometimes slow in detection because they sometimes show symptoms only when the disease has advanced in stages. Millions of people worldwide suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet many remain unaware until significant damage has already occurred. Today we would carefully look at the vital functions, risk factors, signs to watch out for, and preventive strategies to ensure long-term healthy body.
They are two bean-shaped organs located just below the rib cage, on either side of the spine. The Kidneys are the kind you call ‘small but mighty’ because though they are small in size, with each one being about the size of a fist, they perform some of the most critical functions in the body, ensuring homeostasis and detoxification.
Functions of The Kidney
Understanding what it is the they actually do, can give an insight on how to manage and treat them better, here are some of the vital roles the kidney plays in our body:
Filtration of Blood
Every day, it filters about 50 gallons of blood, removing toxins, excess salts, and waste products such as urea and creatinine. These substances are excreted through urine, keeping the blood clean and chemically balanced.
Regulation of Blood Pressure
Ever wonder why high blood pressure and kidney disease are closely linked? Let us tell you why. By releasing renin, a hormone that controls blood vessel constriction and sodium balance, the kidneys maintain optimal blood pressure. When they malfunction, blood pressure can skyrocket, this can lead to further damage.
Electrolyte and pH Balance
The kidneys ensure that crucial electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphate and magnesium are kept at optimal levels, ensuring cells function properly. Too much potassium can lead to heart irregularities, while imbalanced sodium levels can trigger hypertension.
Red Blood Cell Production
The kidneys release erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone that signals the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. Kidney disease often leads to fatigue due to reduced EPO production. Without them, you can develop a severe case of anaemia.
Bone Health and Vitamin D Activation
Our bones rely on the them for a lot. They convert inactive vitamin D into its active form (calcitriol), essential for calcium absorption, without healthy kidneys, bones become weak and prone to fractures.
Neglecting health is like ignoring the check engine light on your car or overlooking the malfunction signs on our device, it may run fine for a while, but eventually, it will break down and healthy kidneys mean
• A body free of toxins, preventing harmful waste buildup.
• Stable blood pressure, reducing risks of strokes and heart disease.
• Strong bones, ensuring proper calcium metabolism.
• Sufficient red blood cells, preventing anemia and fatigue.
Despite their resilience, they are vulnerable to disease and dysfunction. The biggest concern is that these disease progresses quietly—it often doesn’t show symptoms until significant damage has already occurred or incidentally during regular health checks.
Considering they work everyday, round the clock to keep you alive. It’s only fair to return the favor by taking care of them. Here’s how you can take care of them daily:
Stay Hydrated: Water flushes out toxins and prevents kidney stones. The doctors advice a minimum of 3litres of daily water consumption, if you live in a hot climate or exercise frequently then you should aim for more. You want to stay as hydrated as possible. If you want your kidneys to function properly, fuel them with more water daily.
Eat a Healthy Diet: Reduce salt intake. Too much sodium strains the organs. Limit processed foods high in phosphates and additives harmful to our body. Eat potassium-rich foods in moderation. Bananas and oranges are great, but too much potassium can be dangerous in Chronic Kidney Disease. Incorporate omega-3 fatty acids found in fish into meals, they help reduce inflammation and blood pressure.
Control Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar: Check your blood pressure regularly. You want to always keep it around 120/80 mmHg but not higher. Monitor your blood sugar levels. Uncontrolled diabetes damages kidney blood vessels.
Avoid Overuse of NSAIDs: Painkillers like ibuprofen can reduce blood flow to the kidneys, leading to damage over time. Use them sparingly and always with a doctor’s advice.
Exercise Regularly: Physical activity helps control weight, blood pressure, and insulin sensitivity, all these are important for health. 30 minutes of moderate exercise which could be 30 minutes walk five days a week can make a difference in health.
Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol: Smoking narrows kidney blood vessels, reducing function over time. Alcohol on the other hand, dehydrates the body, increasing the risk of damage.
Since these disease develop gradually, recognizing early warning signs is crucial for early intervention and here are some key symptoms:
• Foamy or bubbly urine (indicating excess protein leakage)
• Swelling in the feet, ankles, or hands (fluid retention)
• Persistent fatigue and weakness (due to anemia)
• High blood pressure that is difficult to control
• Decreased urine output or changes in urine color
• Frequent nighttime urination (nocturia)
World Kidney Day 2025 highlights the power of early detection. Regular screening tests can help identify problems before they become severe.
Important Tests:
Blood Tests (Serum Creatinine & eGFR): Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) measures how well the kidneys filter waste. A reading below 60 mL/min may indicate CKD.
Urine Tests (Proteinuria Test): Excess protein in urine can signal damage.
Blood Pressure Monitoring: High blood pressure is a red flag for kidney disease.
Imaging Tests (Ultrasound or CT Scan): These help detect cysts, stones, or abnormalities.
Who Should Get Screened?
• People with diabetes or hypertension
• Those with a family history of kidney disease
• Individuals over 40 years old
• Anyone with a history of recurrent kidney infections or kidney stones
Take care of your kidneys because once they stop working, the road back is never easy. World Kidney Day 2025 urges us to ask: “Are Your Kidneys OK?” The time to detect early and protect kidney health is now. By being proactive, getting regular screenings, making healthy lifestyle choices and decisions, and recognizing early warning signs, we can prevent disease and improve global health outcome and today is a good day to start not tomorrow.
They are your body’s ultimate filtration system, working tirelessly to keep you alive. Yet, they are vulnerable to disease, lifestyle choices, and neglect. By adopting healthy habits today, you can prevent future complications and ensure that these vital organs continue to serve you well for a lifetime.
The time to act is NOW! Now that you know, would you take a KFT today?
