Some conscious and unconscious lifestyles can cause hazards to the human kidney. As they say, different moods for different occasions, some people tend to consume excessive alcohol, sugary drinks, too many fries, and too much intake of tobacco (smoking).
The human kidneys are two small, organs that are bean-shaped and they sit below the ribs on either side of the spine. The size of a kidney is like a hand fist.
The human kidney performs numerous important functions for the human body. The kidneys are in charge of filtering the blood and removing toxic substances from the food we consume, removing these toxins in the form of waste products such as sweat, tears, etc.
In this article, we will examine the common lifestyle that unknowingly damages the kidney.
9 Things That are Damaging the Kidney Unknowingly
1. Smoking
Smoking is damaging to health. People who smoke are prone to have protein in their urine, which is a sign of kidney damage. It is the two leading reasons for kidney disease. Smoking also reduces the blood flow to the kidneys and can trigger kidney problems in people who already have kidney disease.
2. Excessive Alcohol
Excessive intake of alcohol can lead to chronic kidney disease. Drinking alcohol regularly may increase the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes, which can be a leading factor in kidney disease and can eventually lead to kidney failure.
According to the National Kidney Foundation, more than four alcoholic drinks a day can hurt your health and worsen kidney disease.
Although moderate alcohol consumption isn’t considered a risk to healthy kidneys, for those who have been diagnosed with kidney problems, the damage can be extensive.
3. Red Meat Consumption
Do you know that red meat is a great source of protein, but including too much meat in your diet can put one at a higher risk of kidney disease?
A study carried out and published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology that showed the long-term effects of red meat consumption discovered a correlation between red meat intake and an increase in the risk of kidney failure.
4. Too Much Salt Intake
Unarguably, salt is very essential for our health. It aid regulate our blood pressure, maintains fluid balance, and helps build our muscles and nerves function properly. It can also be used as a remedy for heat stroke, soothe sore throats and treat tooth and gum issues.
But in as much as it is an important part of our meal, excessive intake can cause a lot of damage. Table salt is a very common staple in many households all over the world but is considered to be the least healthy type of salt.
5. Soda Beverages
Soda beverages are also known as carbonated drinks because they have been infused with carbon dioxide gas, drinking too much may increase blood pressure, reduce kidney function, and increases the risk of developing kidney stones.
One recent study suggests that drinking two of these soda drinks a week increases the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas, which can double the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
6. Not exercising
It is essential for people who are obese to exercise. Any weight they lose reduces their risk of kidney disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.
The National Kidney Foundation agrees that exercise is critical for kidney function. Exercise can lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and body weight. It helps with sleeping and muscle function. All of these factors help the kidneys to function normally. Exercise helps the body process nutrients and fluids. These are the key jobs the kidneys perform.
People who exercise tend to make healthier food and lifestyle choices. All of these can be beneficial to the kidneys as well. Giving your kidneys a helping hand to keep them functioning is as simple as a brisk walk 2-3 times a week.
7. kidney Infection
Do you know that even viral infections in other parts of the body such as the flu can harm your kidneys?
The longer you leave a kidney infection untreated, the more risk it carries to cause permanent damage to your kidneys.
A kidney infection can be very painful, and it takes a longer period for one to recover from. Your physician will prescribe medication to cure kidneys that don’t favor taking medication.
8. Too Much Painkillers
Most people take painkillers without realizing the long-term side effects that they can cause to the body generally.
Most of the drugs that can potentially cause kidney damage is excreted through the kidneys. This happens because the liver does not break them. It is the same when waste products are passed out through urine.
Analgesic is any medicine that is taken to relieve your pain. Common over-the-counter analgesics include aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium. Analgesic has been linked to two types of kidney damage. They can cause acute renal failure and chronic kidney disease known as analgesic nephropathy.
However, these kidney problems usually happen when you are taking high amounts and over an extended period. For instance, research has shown that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause kidney problems.
9. Excessive Water Intake
As much as dehydration is dangerous to the kidney, excessive water intake can damage the kidney. Water is important for many reasons, such as the delivery of nutrients around through the blood, the replacement of fluid lost through sweating, and helping many chemical reactions that happen in our body.
In a recent study published by Circulation, it was established that excessive water intake can increase morbidity and mortality in stage 5 CKD patients, and greater fluid retention in those patients was linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular death.
Drinking too much water can cause hyponatremia, also known as water intoxication. It’s rare, but it can occur when large amounts of water are consumed in a short time frame.
