National Kidney Month: How to protect your kidney health

19, Mar 2026

March is National Kidney Month (NKM), which urges folks to take charge of their kidney health while learning about the factors that contribute to effective kidney disease management.

NKM is the perfect opportunity to learn about the importance of screening to prevent kidney disease, especially for patients with chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes who are at high risk.

An essential aspect of keeping the kidneys healthy includes detecting the common signs and symptoms of kidney disease and seeking immediate treatment. Some common signs and symptoms include swollen ankles and feet, persistent puffiness around the eyes, frequent bloody urination, dry skin, difficulty sleeping and decreased energy and concentration.

Knowing a family history of kidney disease is essential for eligibility for preventive treatment strategies. Take the following steps to maintain kidney health and reduce your risk.

Schedule regular follow-ups with your primary care physician and, if needed, your kidney specialists.
Understand your personal risk factors. High blood pressure causes severe kidney damage. The impact on the body is even more significant if other health issues like diabetes, high cholesterol, or heart disease are present in the setting of high blood pressure. Manage your blood pressure and also regularly monitor your blood sugar levels.
Avoid taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen. Instead, follow your doctor's prescribed medication plan.
Develop a nutritious diet plan.
Prioritize physical activity and implement stress-reduction techniques into your daily routine.
Maintain a healthy sleep schedule.
Take steps to quit smoking if you do smoke

When combined, these lifestyle changes can go a long way toward improving kidney patients' current and future renal health. Learning to maintain and improve kidney health is vital for everyone, especially those who may be affected by common chronic kidney conditions.

Many people are at risk for kidney disease, but may have no idea how to improve their kidney health or reduce their chance of serious illness. And many do not even realize that their kidneys are suffering until the situation has worsened significantly. The first step is to ask your doctor for a kidney screening to check several indicators.

Your primary care physician will help you comply with the quality measure called Kidney Evaluation for Patients With Diabetes (KED) and create a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle and dietary needs.

All patients with diabetes mellitus need an annual kidney health evaluation. This evaluation should include both estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measurements and a urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR).

The kidneys do a lot to help us maintain our overall health. Let's learn how to help them perform their best for years to come.

It's always a good idea to start consulting with your primary care physician early on, especially when you have kidney disease in your family. Getting to create a preventive care plan with both your primary care provider and your nephrologist is extremely important.

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