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Your kidneys work quietly behind the scenes every day, but their health plays a major role in your overall well-being. In recognition of National Kidney Month, we’re sharing three simple, evidence-based steps you can take now to support kidney health — plus how routine lab work helps detect problems early, often before symptoms appear.
Medically Reviewed by: Michael Duffy, DO and
Kaya Merzlak, CRNP
Revised March 18, 2026
Every March, we shine a spotlight on kidney health for National Kidney Month, a time to raise awareness and help everyone take better care of these vital organs! Your kidneys work hard every day to keep your body in balance: filtering waste, regulating fluid levels, and supporting overall health. But are you doing enough to take care of them? The National Kidney Foundation reports that about 1 in 7 adults in the United States has kidney disease (CKD). About 90% of adults with CKD do not know they have it. Protecting your kidneys doesn’t require drastic changes; small, consistent habits can make a big difference. Here are three simple things you can start doing today to support better kidney health.
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One of the most important things you can do for your kidneys is manage the conditions that strain them the most.
High blood pressure and diabetes are the leading causes of chronic kidney disease. Over time, elevated blood pressure damages the tiny blood vessels inside the kidneys, reducing their ability to filter waste effectively. (CDC)
What helps:
Healthcare organizations emphasize that early monitoring and treatment significantly slow or prevent kidney damage progression. (NIDDK)
Why this matters:
Kidney disease often has no early symptoms — proactive monitoring is one of the most powerful preventive tools available.
Hydration plays a key role in helping kidneys remove waste and maintain fluid balance. While hydration needs vary by individual, consistent fluid intake supports normal kidney filtration. Equally important is medication awareness. Certain commonly used medications — especially frequent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen — can harm kidney function when used excessively or long-term.
Protect your kidneys by:
Even over-the-counter medications can impact kidney health, which is why coordination with your care team matters.
Your kidneys respond directly to everyday habits, especially movement, nutrition, and weight management.
A balanced lifestyle helps regulate blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammation, all of which influence kidney function. Regular physical activity alone has been shown to improve cardiovascular health and reduce risk factors linked to kidney disease. (National Kidney Foundation)
Kidney-supportive habits include:
Healthy eating patterns help keep blood pressure and cholesterol levels in range, both essential for protecting kidney function.
Simple starting point:
Focus on whole foods more often than packaged foods, and aim for consistent movement throughout the week.
One of the challenges with kidney disease is that symptoms may not appear until kidney function is already reduced. This is why routine screening and regular medical visits are so important. The National Kidney Foundation notes that early kidney disease often develops without noticeable symptoms, making preventive care and routine lab monitoring essential for early detection.
Possible warning signs may include:
These symptoms can have many causes, but they should always be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Kidney function is commonly evaluated during routine blood work, even when you feel well.
Standard laboratory testing often includes markers such as creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), which help your provider assess how effectively your kidneys are filtering waste from the bloodstream.
Because early kidney disease rarely causes symptoms, these routine tests play a critical role in early detection and prevention.
Kidneys are remarkably resilient, but damage often occurs gradually and without warning. Preventive care, including annual physicals, routine lab work, and risk-factor management, allows problems to be identified early, when intervention is most effective.
National Kidney Month serves as an important reminder that protecting kidney health doesn’t require drastic changes. Consistency with a few foundational habits can significantly lower long-term risk.
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