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15 Common Habits That Damage Your Kidneys

If you’ve ever wondered how to avoid certain habits that damage your kidneys, look no further than this list! It includes some of the most common pitfalls that can cause problems for your kidneys. You’ll be surprised by the list–you might not even know you were doing these things! But now you can fix them and keep your kidney function at its strongest.

Based on the National Kidney Foundation, kidney disease causes the death of over 90,000 Americans each year. That’s more than breast and prostate cancer. If we’re looking to live long and healthy lives, we have to look after our kidneys. However, our habits may prevent us from doing this.

You don’t have to wait until it’s too late to change these behaviors. Simple adjustments in your food, supplementation and even your sleep habits will help keep kidney diseases from occurring soon. Changes in habits can also help protect against other diseases, such as diabetes. For the benefit of your kidneys, think about making these changes to your routine.

15. Use Herbs Instead Of Salt:

Consuming a lot of salt can upset the balance of your blood and causes your kidneys to struggle to get rid of water. According to research published in 2018 published in The Journal of Clinical Hypertension, this could cause kidney disease. Unfortunately, most Western diets encourage excessive consumption of salt.

It is recommended that the U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests that people reduce their salt intake to 1 teaspoon daily which is about 2,300 mg. It’s less than one-third of what most people consume. Pay attention to the high levels of sodium in prepared and processed foods, since this is the place where kidney damage could be a surprise to you.

14. Pain Relievers:

According to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the use of excessive painkillers such as Advil can cause 5,000 instances of renal failure within the U.S. each year. What is enough? Researchers found that the riskiest moment to use painkillers after fasting. If you are taking painkillers and eat food regularly to treat headaches, you’ll be safe.

Based on Stanford Medical professor Dr. Grant Lipman, pain relief drugs reduce blood flow to the kidneys. As time passes, this may cause your kidneys to experience a severe strain. Dr. Lipman claims that one in five marathoners will be at risk of developing the possibility of damage to their kidneys.

13. Don’t Hold It In:

The pressure of the bladder full of urine for an extended period can be harmful to your kidneys. The habit could lead to numerous kidney ailments, including infections caused by bacteria, retention of fluids in the kidney tissues as well as swelling of kidneys, and so on. People also retain their urine for a longer time, such as two hours, which is detrimental to the kidneys. This prolonged retention of urine can cause the formation of crystals which could cause damage to the delicate organs in the organs internal to them, and cause them to be more susceptible to cancer.

12. Foods processed for processing:

To remain fresher to last longer food items generally contain high levels of sodium that can harm your kidneys. But sodium isn’t the only nutrient that can harm kidneys that are found in processed foods as per NEPHCURE Kidney International. Other causes include potassium and Phosphorus.

The kidneys are typically able to filter potassium levels, excessive potassium can cause pressure on the kidneys. Similar is the case with phosphorus. For those with weak or weak kidneys must restrict amounts of potassium or the phosphorus they consume. If you consume processed food in moderation, you will not have this issue.

11. Steer Clear Of Soda:

Like other beverages, soda has the same nutrients as other drinks, namely sugar. A typical 12-ounce bottle of soda has more sugar than three and donuts. Researchers have concluded that drinking more than two daily sodas doubles the chance of getting kidney disease.

It’s not just the sugar. Researchers in 2007 discovered that cola could increase the risk of kidney disease because of the phosphoric acid it contains. The acid could interfere with gene mutations and harm kidneys in time. Limiting your consumption of soda to a single drink per day can dramatically enhance your overall health. You can also limit your soda consumption to once each week.

10. Follow Your Prescription:

Use your medication as directed. Even even if you feel more comfortable taking a break or stopping the medication could harm the kidneys. Particularly the use of pain and blood pressure medications can strain your kidneys if you are taking these medications frequently. Some may cause a “rebound” when the patient suffers an additional renal failure or heart attack.

Kidneys are benefited from regular exercise. If you alter your medications every day, it will throw your whole body off. Consult your doctor regarding the possibility of your medication affecting the kidneys. Certain antibiotics pose a serious risk to the health of your kidneys.

9. Study Your Supplements Prior to Taking Them Start Taking These:

If you regularly take Vitamins or supplements take care. The high dosages of certain supplements are harmful to kidneys. A study published in 2012 by the American Society of Nephrology pinpoints the most likely causes: cranberry, willow bark, wormwood oils Geranium, licorice, and vitamin C.

Particularly high doses of vitamin C or cranberry raise the risk of developing kidney stones. If you suffer from a pre-existing medical condition, such as diabetic or auto-immune condition you should consult your doctor before using supplements. Natural supplements such as turmeric can harm your kidneys if they are combined with certain drugs.

8. Do not overdo it at The Gym:

There is a way to “exercise yourself to the point of death.” Rhabdomyolysis, often known as Rhabdo is a disorder that is caused by the breakdown of muscles. If muscles are damaged the muscles release enzymes which cause kidney damage. In 40% of the cases, it can lead to kidney failure.

Rhabdomyolysis can be dangerous, but it is not common. It is a rare condition. Dr. Maureen Brogan of New York Medical College claims that the majority of cases happen during the initial class. For instance, if someone does too much for the first time they cycle the bike, they’re at higher risk. Muscles have to be developed gradually, so don’t force your body too far.

7. A High Consumption of Red Meat Could Possible Toxic:

Consuming excessive amounts of red meat could also harm your kidneys, lung, and heart. Proteins in meat are broken into amino acids by the liver and later transports into the bloodstream. These amino acids are then used to create Red meat protein cells. However, these cells can not provide amino acids for the other organs and, as a result, there is an imbalance in the amount that our kidneys, as well as other organs, can absorb. Thus blood pressure and fluid retention as well as kidney diseases are types of diets that are high in protein.

6. Do Your Best To Avoid Overeating:

In the time of celebrations and holidays, Many people indulge themselves by overeating. However, overindulging can strain your kidneys in the words of the Dr. Sreedhar Mandayam of Baylor College. The more you consume the more difficult your kidneys are working to filter through the various food items according to Dr. Mandayam.

The most harmful combination of eating too much is the consumption of a large number of carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Unfortunately, the majority of meals at Christmas and Thanksgiving contain these. It’s okay to indulge once or twice however, be careful not to eat too much frequently. Reduce the size of your portions to a minimum and only consume food when hungry, and not tired or bored.

5. Substitute Sugar:

Blood sugar levels that are high result in dehydration which raises the pressure inside the kidneys. The high levels of sugar in urine raise the pressure. The kidneys eliminate the sugar via water, which results in concentrated urine. The accumulation in this urine may result in kidney stones or cystitis, which is a painful inflammation in the urinary tract. As kidney stones get bigger and get inflamed, they can stop kidney flow and stopping kidneys from functioning properly.

4. Do Not Use The Butter:

Recent health trends advocate the substitution of margarine for butter. For your kidneys, it’s not a great choice. Butter is a source of saturated fats that when consumed in large amounts could harm kidneys. Based on the National Kidney Foundation, these fats increase LDL cholesterol (the “bad” kind) which can harm kidneys.

You can eat butter in small quantities but you shouldn’t consume it all day long. If you opt to use margarine instead make sure you choose one that contains no trans fats as well as “hydrogenated” oils. Trans fats are even more detrimental than saturated fats in causing an increase in LDL cholesterol.

3. Heartburn Drugs:

Although some medications for heartburn are safe to take each day proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) aren’t. The research conducted in Kidney International suggests that PPIs can reduce stomach acid could affect the kidneys in the long run. The habit of taking PPIs increases the risk of developing chronic kidney disease by 26%.

Fortunately, H2 Blockers (a distinct type of medication for heartburn) haven’t caused these symptoms. If you are required to take a daily dose of heartburn medication discuss with your physician about switching to an H2 blocker. If you take PPIs often, perhaps once every few days, you aren’t required to worry.

2. Caffeine Consumption:

Drinking coffee regularly doesn’t cause harm to the kidneys. If you consume a lot of cups every day, you might want to be aware of the dangers according to the National Kidney Foundation. Caffeine creates sudden spikes in blood pressure. Though research has not yet been able to determine the impact this can have on kidneys and kidneys in general, one might be cautious.

Doctor. Jessica Saville of the National Kidney Foundation recommends drinking less than four cups of caffeine every day. Be aware that coffee additives, like cream or flavored syrups that are used in lattes, can increase the quantity of sugar and fats that you consume. They also harm your kidneys as time passes.

1. Lack of Sleep:

Insufficient sleep is one of the ways to affect your kidneys in a significant way. If you don’t have enough rest and your body doesn’t recover, and the kidneys have to fight to keep your blood pressure to appropriate levels. This causes your heart to work harder and also results in your kidneys having in releasing more proteins to assist in removing blood. All the work your kidneys are doing gets absorbed into the bloodstream, which in turn causes a rise in blood pressure. It is recommended to get at minimum 8 hours of sleep each night, and nap during the day instead of sleeping at night.

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