March is known as National Kidney Month, and it has been for the past few years. This month attempts to raise public awareness about the importance of keeping kidneys healthy and working towards better kidney care.

Currently, almost 40 million people in the U.S. are estimated to have chronic kidney disease. It’s also estimated that as much as 90% of people with kidney disease aren’t even aware that they have it. That’s why it’s important for everyone to consider their health as they observe this month.

The History of National Kidney Month

At this time, we’re unsure when this month was established, but don’t worry, we do know who initiated it. We know that it was created by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. We also know that it has been celebrated for the past few years to raise awareness about the importance of getting your kidneys checked and maintaining proper kidney health.

Some Amazing Facts About Kidneys

Kidneys are organs that few people think about, so we thought we’d raise their profile a bit by sharing some facts about them. We think the following facts will amaze everyone, so let’s take a quick look at them before we begin celebrating National Kidney Month.

• Kidneys tend to be asymmetrical. The right kidney is usually smaller than the left one to make room for the liver.
• Kidneys filter about 45 gallons of blood every single day.
• During the 16th century, surgeries to remove kidney stones were just as likely to kill the patient as they were to solve their medical problem.
• Willem Johan Kolff invented kidney dialysis during World War II.
• Drinking too much water can cause hyponatremia because the kidneys cannot get rid of the water fast enough.

Observing National Kidney Month

One of the first things people should do during this month is to visit their primary care physician to ensure their kidneys are healthy. It’s also a month for those dealing with kidney disease to become more involved in their care.

This means creating a treatment plan with their doctor and making healthy changes to their lifestyle. People observing this month can also spread the news about it far and wide by using the hashtag #NationalKidneyMonth on social media.