Kidney Health Week 24th May - 31st May
2008
World NO Tobacco Day 31 May 2008
Kidney Health Australia today said smoking triples the risk of
Kidney Disease.
Kidney Health Australia Medical Director, Dr Tim Mathew
speaking on the eve of World NO Tobacco Day, said the simplest, most
important lifestyle habit to change to reduce the risk of kidney
disease is to stop smoking.
"People who smoke are three
times more likely to have reduced kidney function, and have a four
to five time's greater risk of heart attack and stroke.
"It's well known that smoking harms your health.
"Smoking causes a narrowing of the arteries, including the small
vessels that are in the filtering section of your kidney. This
reduces the kidney's ability to work properly.
"Smoking has also been linked to cancer of the bladder and the
ureter - the small tubes that run from your kidneys to your
bladder."
Dr Mathew said,"the message is clear: don't smoke. If you do
smoke, giving up is one of the best things you can do to keep your
kidneys healthy."
Media Enquiries:
Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director Kidney
Health Australia Mobile: 0416 149 863
Ron Smith Media
Communications Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0417 329 201
KIDNEY HEALTH TIPS:
DIET
Eat lots of fruit, vegetables, legumes and wholegrain bread and
rice.
Eat some lean meat such as chicken and fish at least once a
week.
Eat reduced-fat and low-fat dairy products
Limit the amount of fatty foods you eat, such as fried fish and
chips, fried or baked chicken, and potato crisps.
Lower your salt intake. Buy low or no-salt products and don't
add salt to food or the dinner table setting.
Eat more at home, not take-away - less temptation
EXERCISE
The benefits of regular exercise are
wide-reaching. Not only can it help to maintain and reduce weight,
it can also reduce the risk of developing heart disease and
diabetes, risk factors for kidney disease.
You only need to
exercise for 30 minutes on at least five days of the week to reap
the benefits. And you don't have to sweat it out at the gym or pound
the pavement - a brisk walk is sufficient.
SMOKING
If you don't smoke, don't start. If you do,
quit!
