As National Kidney Month comes to a close, we’re reminded that taking good care of your kidneys is a daily commitment throughout the year. Your kidneys play a key role in some of your body’s most vital functions, like filtering waste. That’s why we at Cincinnati Home Dialysis strongly encourage our community to take steps now to prevent kidney decline and the onset of kidney disease. This is all the more important if you are at risk for kidney disease.

Here are four ways you can show some love to your kidneys today and every day:

1. Cut back on processed foods in your diet.

Your favorite lunch meats, frozen pizza, and potato chips are often full of sodium. That’s because sodium is used as a flavor enhancer and preservative in commonly processed foods. They’re also full of phosphates and nitrates that your kidneys have to work harder to filter. Instead, aim to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet, or even try making some of your favorite processed foods from scratch with fresh whole ingredients.

2. Maintain strict control of your blood sugar.

Diabetes is one of the main causes of kidney failure and disease, making it especially important to keep your blood sugar levels in check. Maintaining control of diabetes can actually slow the progression of kidney disease.

3. Reduce usage of over the counter pain medicines.

For many, reaching for an over the counter pain medication is part of a daily routine. But these medications, particularly NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), can hurt your kidneys. If your experience pain regularly, talk to your doctor about other methods of pain management.

4. Make exercise part of your daily routine.

Even just 30 minutes of exercise a day contributes to your overall health and wellbeing. Exercising helps control your blood pressure, lower blood sugar, and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and organs.

Ask your doctor about doing an annual kidney screening if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of kidney disease, or are 60 and older. The sooner any kidney damage is identified, the better your chances of preventing the disease from progressing.

How will you commit to your kidney health this year?