There is plenty you can do to help keep your kidneys healthy and help prevent kidney disease.

• watch your weight — being overweight increases your risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, which in turn increase your risk of kidney disease
• eat healthily — a diet high in fruit and vegetables and low in salt, sugar and fats is best
• drink plenty of water — avoid sugary drinks like soft drinks
• exercise regularly
• don’t smoke
• limit your alcohol intake to less than 2 standard drinks a day
• do things that help you relax and reduce stress
• be aware of your risk factors — if you know you are at risk of kidney disease, you can have your kidneys regularly checked

What if I’m at ‘high risk’ for kidney disease?

If you have one or more of the risk factors for kidney disease, it’s particularly important to look after your kidney health and get your kidney function checked regularly. Risk factors include if kidney disease is in your family, if you have diabetes, a heart condition or high blood pressure, or if you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

For example, if you have diabetes, it’s very important to keep your blood sugar level under control. You should also have your doctor regularly check your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and your blood glucose level, and make sure any urinary tract infections are treated straight away.