The kidneys play a vial role in our well-being by filtering waste, regulating blood pressure, creating essential hormones, and keeping our overall health . However, some daily habits can silently damage our kidneys.
Overuse of paink*llers
Overuse of painkillers, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, is a popular habit to quickly relieve pain. However, they put an extra burden on the kidneys, which have to filter and detoxify them.
Excess salt
Excessive salt intake in our diet can seriously harm our kidneys. When we eat too much salt, our body tends to retain both water and salt. This retention leads to increased blood pressure, which can damage the kidneys.
Dehydration
The kidneys rely on adequate water to function properly. When dehydrated, the kidneys can deal with a condition called pre-renal azotemia, which can cause acute inflammation of the kidneys.
Lack of sleep
Sleep plays a vital role in regulating kidney function. Adequate sleep helps keep a balanced sleep-wake cycle, which is an important for coordinating the work of the kidneys over a 24-hour period. Lack of sleep disturbs this cycle, causing an increase in stress hormones, which can lead to inflammation in the kidneys.
Too much sugar
Excessive sugar consumption is a major risk factor for obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes, which are well-known causes of kidney disease.
Alcohol
Regular and heavy alcohol consumption is strongly related to an increased risk of chronic kidney disease. Drinking more than four drinks a day can double this risk.
Processed foods
Processed foods are often rich in sodium and phosphorus, both of which can be detrimental to people with kidney disease. Additionally, these foods typically consist of high levels of carbohydrates and unhealthy fats, which can cause inflammation throughout the body, including in the kidneys.
Excessive meat consumption
A high consumption of animal protein, found in abundance in meat, produces high levels of acid in the blood. This can destr0y the kidneys and lead to a condition called acidosis.
Sedentary lifestyle
Being inactive and sitting for long periods of time is associated with an increased risk of developing kidney disease. Inactivity can not only lead to weight gain, but also slow metabolism, which can cause kidney inflammation.
Smoking
Smoking cigarettes is a well-known risk factor for many diseases, including kidney disease. Smoking harms kidney health in several ways: poor blood circulation, carcinogens, oxidative stress, radical damage.
Illegal drugs
The consumption of certain illicit drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy, shows a significant risk of kidney damage. Cocaine, for example, can cause blood vessels to narrow or contract, leading to high blood pressure, a major factor to kidney damage.
Intense physical exercise
While exercise is important for overall health, it is vital to keep a balance and avoid excessively intense physical exercise. Excessive exercise can cause this protein to increase in the kidneys, causing damage and, in some cases, kidney failure.
Soft drinks
Sodas and energy drinks are often packed with high amounts of sugar, which can raise the risk of developing kidney stones. Even diet sodas, which consists of artificial sweeteners, have been linked to impaired kidney function.
Caffeine
Excessive caffeine consumption can overload the kidneys, as they have to work harder to filter it from the system. Caffeine also has a diuretic effect, then it requires more water to be eliminated by the kidneys, which can cause dehydration.
Hold urine
The consequences of holding urine go beyond the usual discomfort. Holding urine for too long can cause inflammation, increase the risk of urinary tract infections, and potentially cause kidney damage.
