When is World Kidney Day?
The second Thursday in March is National Kidney Day.
What is World Kidney Day?
You have two kidneys. You probably don’t think of them much, and that’s okay. Kidney failure is a silent killer though. You don’t see it coming until your kidneys are on their way out. National Kidney Day promotes kidney health and raises awareness about the role of doctors and health authorities in preventing kidney disease.
Our kidneys filter blood. They strain out a lot of the junk we fill our bodies with, but sometimes we work them too hard. Each organ has a million micro-filters we call nephrons. If they get harmed, they stop working, and kidneys with too much damage eventually fail altogether.
Kidney disease is a sneaky son of gun, so World Kidney Day started in 2006 to get the word out about kidney health and the need to screen people who are at risk.
Facts about World Kidney Day!
- There are no signs of early chronic kidney disease. People can lose 90% of their kidney function before the see any signs of the disease.
- Your kidneys are about the size of a normal computer mouse.
- Diabetes contributes to kidney failure in 44% of new cases.
- Half of one healthy kidney can do the job of two healthy kidneys. That means you can probably donate one of your kidneys while you’re alive, as long as you have two healthy ones.
How to celebrate World Kidney Day:
- Stay fit and active. If you don’t already have a workout regimen, start one today. Eat well, keep your weight in check, and drink 3-4 pints of water a day.
- Learn the risk factors of chronic kidney disease, and research other ways to prevent it. Pass that info on to your family, and talk to your doctor about getting tested if you have the risk factors.
What’s the hashtag for World Kidney Day?
Use #WorldKidneyDay on social media to promote kidney health.