March 8 World Kidney Day!
LUPUS IN COLOR SPREADS AWARENESS ABOUT KIDNEY HEALTH ON WORLD KIDNEY DAY
World Kidney Day is celebrated on the second Thursday in March, the mission of World Kidney Day is to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.
The Theme: Kidneys & Women’s Health: Include, Value, Empower
Lupus nephritis is kidney inflammation caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus). SLE is an autoimmune disease—a disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the body’s own cells and organs. Up to 60 percent of people with SLE are diagnosed with lupus nephritis, which can lead to significant illness and even death.
Lupus nephritis is treated with medications that suppress the immune system, so it stops attacking and damaging the kidneys. Standard treatment includes a corticosteroid, usually prednisone, to reduce inflammation in the kidneys. An immunosuppressive medication, such as cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate mofetil, is typically used with prednisone. These medications—when taken as prescribed by a health care provider—further decrease the activity of the immune system and block the body’s immune cells from attacking the kidneys directly or making antibodies that attack the kidneys. Antibodies are proteins made by the immune system to protect the body from foreign substances such as bacteria or viruses. Hydroxychloroquine, a medication for treating SLE, should also be prescribed or continued for people with lupus nephritis.
Help us spread awareness about the importance of Kidney Health for all!
The kidneys are complicated and amazing organs that do many essential tasks to keep us healthy.
The main job of your kidneys is to remove toxins and excess water from your blood. Kidneys also help to control your blood pressure, to produce red blood cells and to keep your bones healthy.
Each roughly the size of your fist, kidneys are located deep in the abdomen, beneath the rib cage.
Your kidneys control blood stream levels of many minerals and molecules including sodium and potassium, and help to control blood acidity. Every day your kidneys carefully control the salt and water in your body so that your blood pressure remains the same.
Did you know?
Your Kidneys:
- Make urine
- Remove wastes and extra fluid from your blood
- Control your body’s chemical balance
- Help control your blood pressure
- Help keep your bones healthy
- Help you make red blood cells
Certain lifestyle habits can help protect the kidneys. People with lupus nephritis should do the following:
- Drink enough fluids to stay well hydrated.
- Eat a low-sodium diet, especially if hypertension is an issue.
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Exercise regularly.
- Maintain a healthy blood pressure.
- Limit cholesterol.
- Avoid medications that can affect the kidneys, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Your doctor may also recommend that you eat a diet low in potassium, phosphorus, and protein if there is already loss of kidney function.
Although lupus nephritis is a serious problem, most people who receive treatment do not go on to have kidney failure.
SPREAD THE AWARENESS! WORLD KIDNEY DAY KIDNEY HEALTH FOR ALL!
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