March is National Kidney Month. While you may not think about your kidneys on a daily basis, these organs are working around the clock to keep you healthy, hydrated and free of toxins. A wide variety of factors can affect kidney function, including heat stress and water pollution. However, the kidneys have an amazing capacity—the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases estimates that you can lose up to 60% of your kidney function before noticing anything is wrong.
As we celebrate the kidneys this month, check out some of our previous posts to learn more about:
- how the kidneys work and why you get thirsty,
- how the kidneys talk to the lungs to help keep your body in balance,
- emerging treatments for chronic kidney disease, and
- potential ways to prevent or stop kidney damage.
Erica Roth, MS, is the American Physiological Society’s communications manager. She is a former reference librarian and medical writer.