YESTERDAY, October 12, marks the 29th death anniversary of my aunt Ederlinda Regala. The eldest among my mother's siblings, Tita Linda, as we fondly call her suffered from kidney failure. My mom would always recall the days when she accompanied her elder sister to the hospital in Clark to get her treatment. Unfortunately, she succumbed and passed away soon after.
My former grade school and dance club teacher, Mam Girlie Manabat, who also became a colleague of mine at the Department of Education Regional Office III also acquired the same illness and it was believed to have been caused by her fondness for junk foods and carbonated drinks. Mam Girlie, who passed away last year was only fifty years old then.
Recently, I also suffered some urinary tract infection and experienced mild pain while peeing. Of course, I got worried and immediately sought medical attention. After routine lab tests and a check-up, the doctor recommended anti-bacterial medicines and a follow-up lab test after a week. The doctor also advised me to undergo a kidney, ureter, and bladder (KUB) ultrasound to check my kidneys as well.
I have become more conscious of my health after experiencing these things and I would like to share these gentle reminders from worldkidneyday.org on how we can take extra care of or kidneys and bladder:
First and foremost, it is very important to maintain a healthy and fit lifestyle. Maintaining the ideal weight and eating right will help you protect not just your kidneys, but your whole body from various illnesses acquired from unhealthy practices.
Second, it is recommended that we constantly monitor our blood sugar level and blood pressure. Medical studies reveal that people who have diabetes also develop a kidney disease. At the same time, having high blood pressure can also cause kidney damage as it is associated with other factors like diabetes, high cholesterol and Cardio-Vascular Diseases.
The best medical advice which does not cost anything is taking the ideal amount of fluid or water every day. The recommended water intake is 8 glasses a day or approximately 2 liters (quarts) per day for a healthy person in a comfortable climate condition. It is suggested that "this needs to be adjusted when in severe climate condition. Your fluid intake may need to be adjusted if you have kidney or heart or liver disease."
Avoid smoking, and if you are smoking, you may want to consider quitting this vice. Worldkidneyday.org says "smoking slows the flow of blood to the kidneys. When less blood reaches the kidneys, it can decrease their ability to function normally. Smoking also increases the risk of kidney cancer by about 50 per cent."
As I am growing older, I guess it is best that I must grow wiser as well. I wish to live a longer life so that I can enjoy more years and fond moments with my family. I am now gradually making a lifestyle change, and I hope that I can be successful with this endeavor. Wish me luck guys!