Why getting tested matters, what your kidneys need from you, and what happens if something goes wrong
Most of us don’t realise how quietly our kidneys work behind the scenes. In fact, they can lose up to 90% of their function before you notice anything is wrong. There’s no pain, no obvious symptoms, just your hardworking kidneys carrying on, even as their performance slowly declines.
That’s why kidney disease can sneak up on people, and why early testing matters so much. The reassuring news? Detecting kidney disease is simple. Testing is easy, so you can catch problems long before symptoms appear, giving you the chance to act and protect your health.
Why you should look after your kidneys
Kidneys support your body’s nutrient absorption function, working around the clock to filter your blood, clear out unwanted waste and help to control your blood pressure. During the process, your kidneys also filter nutrients like potassium and phosphate, for reabsorption back into your body. But these hard workers can stop functioning over time. By the time kidney disease is diagnosed, they could have lost around 60% of their function. That’s why kidney disease is often called a “silent” condition.
It’s also more common than most people think. In South Africa, an estimated 6 to 9 out of every 100 adults live with some form of kidney disease and most only find out once it’s already fairly advanced. By then, treatment is complicated and limited.
Testing is simple, a quick blood test and a urine sample, and can be done at any GP or clinic, especially if:
- You have diabetes or high blood pressure.
- You are over 60.
- You have a family history of kidney disease.
- You have been taking anti-inflammatory painkillers regularly for a long time.
A quick kidney function test done with your annual health check could help you identify health issues early and save you years of treatment later. It is a small task that can have a significant impact on your health later.
What your kidneys need from you
You don’t need a diagnosis to start looking after your kidneys. Most kidney damage builds up slowly and over a few years. To help your kidneys function at their best, Medshield suggests the following:
- Keep your blood pressure and blood sugar in check
High blood pressure and diabetes can increase the risk of kidney disease, so it’s important to keep them under control. One simple way to help is to stay active. Aim for about 150 minutes of exercise each week, or around 30 minutes on most days.
- Eat in a way that’s kind to your kidneys
What you eat matters for kidney health. Limit salt and red meat, and choose fish, chicken, beans, and lentils instead. Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. If you have kidney disease, your doctor or dietitian may also recommend limiting potassium (like bananas, oranges, and potatoes) and phosphorus-rich foods (like dairy and processed foods).
- Drink enough water, but don’t overdo it
Staying hydrated helps your kidneys do their job. But drinking large amounts of water will not “flush out” or cleanse them, despite what you may have heard. People with advanced kidney disease are often told to limit fluids. Steady, sensible intake through the day is what you are after.
- Don’t smoke, and go easy on alcohol
Smoking reduces blood flow to your kidneys, which makes any existing damage worse. Alcohol raises your blood pressure which, as above, is one of the biggest risks to your kidneys.
- Be careful with painkillers
Regular use of anti-inflammatory painkillers can damage your kidneys over time. If you are taking any medication long-term, whether as prescription or over the counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist about what it means for your kidneys.
What happens if something goes wrong
If test results indicate a problem, then your GP could prescribe treatment aimed at protecting the remaining kidney function. This is exactly why early identification is important. Living with kidney disease usually means regular tests, specialist visits and long-term treatment.
Kidney disease is one of a specific list of serious, long-term conditions that South African medical schemes are legally required to help pay for, no matter which benefit plan you are on. Medshield’s chronic disease benefits, for example, help cover routine blood and urine tests, consultations with kidney specialists, chronic medication for related conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, and dialysis for advanced kidney disease.
Knowing what your medical scheme covers takes a lot of the financial worry out of the picture. If you’re at risk, it’s worth checking that your plan includes proper chronic disease cover and if you are diagnosed that you are able to register for you scheme’s chronic illness benefit as soon as possible, so your treatment is paid from the right benefit instead of quietly eating into your day-to-day cover.
Your kidneys do a lot for you, and they rarely complain until things are serious. The good news is that a few everyday habits genuinely lower your risk, and simple tests can catch problems years before you would feel them. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease in the family, speak to your doctor about a kidney check at your next visit. It is a small step today that protects a lot of tomorrow.
This consumer article is for educational purposes only and does not provide personal medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider with questions about a medical condition and never disregard or delay professional medical advice because of something you read here.
