Daily Habits That May Harm Your Kidneys

According to the World Kidney Day organisation, kidney disease ranks as the 8th leading cause of death. Over the years, people have focused on treatment efforts and have centered on preparing for and delivering kidney replacement therapies. However, your lifestyle and diet also play an important role in preventing and minimizing the effects of this fatal disease.

Several habits can potentially harm kidney health if practiced consistently over time. Here are ten habits to be cautious of as revealed by Dr. Tejendra Singh Chauhan, Senior Consultant Nephrology, Fortis Faridabad to keep your kidneys health and maintain good overall health:

1. Excessive Salt Intake: Consuming too much salt can raise blood pressure, leading to kidney damage over time.

2. Inadequate Hydration: Not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration, which puts strain on the kidneys and may increase the risk of kidney stones and urinary tract infections.

3. Overconsumption of Sugary Foods and Drinks: Diets high in sugar can contribute to obesity and diabetes, both of which are risk factors for kidney disease.

4. Regular Use of NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs): Long-term use of over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and naproxen can harm the kidneys and increase the risk of kidney failure.

5. Smoking: Smoking is directly toxic to kidneys and it’s also damage blood vessels, including those in the kidneys, and increase the risk of heart disease.

6. Skipping Regular Exercise: Lack of physical activity can contribute to obesity and related conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, all of which are risk factors for kidney disease.

7. Ignoring High Blood Pressure and Diabetes: Uncontrolled high blood pressure and diabetes can damage the kidneys over time if left untreated.

8. Ignoring Regular Health Check-ups: Regular health check-ups are crucial for detecting and managing Kidney diseases at early stage at which they are curable, since at early stage majority of kidney diseases are asymptomatic ,only preventive check-up can pick them. So if anyone has risk factors for kidney diseases like diabetes ,hypertension, kidney stone, urinary problems, and family history of kidney diseases he/she should undergoes regular check-up of their kidney functions. Conditions that can harm the kidneys early on. Ignoring routine screenings may allow kidney damage to progress unnoticed.

9. High Protein Diet: In general kidneys tolerate high p[protein quite well. But we should accept our limitation overindulgence of excessive amounts of synthetic protein coupled with steroids for body building can sometime strain the kidneys and potentially lead to kidney damage, particularly in those with pre-existing kidney conditions.

10. Ignoring urinary symptoms and Delaying Bathroom Breaks: Holding in urine for extended periods can increase the risk of urinary tract infections and kidney stones. Similarly ignoring early symptoms of urinary symptoms as poor stream ,frequent micturition incontinence, frothing in urine etc may miss the opportunity to act early and save our kidneys

It’s important to note that while these habits can harm kidney health, they are often preventable or manageable with lifestyle changes and medical intervention. If you have concerns about your kidney health or risk factors, consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and guidance.