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From pop -up painkillers to lack of sleep, seven common habits that can harm the kidneys
Apr
In Great Britain more than 10% of the population It is estimated that it has a certain stage of chronic kidney disease and more than 600,000 people develop some form Acute kidney injury – When the kidneys suddenly stop working properly, but they can get back – every year.
The kidneys play an essential role in maintaining the overall health by filtering waste, excess fluid and electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, from blood. They also aid regulate blood pressure, red blood cell production and calcium balance in the body. When the kidneys are damaged, their ability to filter waste and maintain balance is threatened, which leads to the accumulation of toxins, fluid retention and imbalances in electrolytes. This can cause a number of health problems, from high blood pressure to heart disease and weakened bones. Kidney damage can develop chronic kidney disease and kidney failure over time.
Therefore, kidney damage can affect almost part of your body – but there are basic lifestyle changes that you can introduce today to avoid damage to the kidneys tomorrow.
Here are seven potentially kidney habits that should be avoided:
Using painkillers
Typical without a prescription anti -inflammatory anti -inflammatory agents, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, can damage Chicken kidneys – Diminutive pipes in the kidneys that return filtered nutrients and liquids back into the blood. The remaining liquid and waste in the kidney channels become urine – and inflammation and reduced blood flow through the kidneys. This is More likely occur in the elderly or people with other diseases.
People who already have chronic kidney disease should avoid these painkillers, unless they have been prescribed by a doctor who can monitor the function of the kidneys. To reduce the risk of side effects, operate painkillers for the shortest time needed at the recommended dose of packaging.
Not drinking enough water
Water is needed to remove waste. People who do not drink enough water can risk kidney damage, especially in balmy weather. Concentrated urine from dehydration has a higher level of minerals and other waste products – this increases risk kidney stones and urine infections that can damage the kidneys.
Read more: You don’t like drinking ordinary water? 10 well ideas to maintain hydration this summer
Some people with diseases such as liver disease or heart failure may be on narrow fluids. But for the general population, from 1.5 to 2 liters of water (about six to eight cups) a day recommended.
Drinking too much alcohol
The kidneys regulate water in the body. Alcohol can dehydrate the body, which changes the effect of the kidneys. Too much alcohol can also raise blood pressure, which damages the kidneys. Most people know that alcohol can contribute to liver disease, but this in turn can harm the kidneys, because it means I have to work hard.
. NHS advises Men and women, so that they do not drink more than 14 alcohol units a week (they spread perfectly throughout the week with several alcohol -free days). This corresponds to one standard glass of wine (two units) or a mug of low -strength beer (two units) per day.
Smoking
Most people know that smoking can contribute to cancer and heart disease. But smoking can directly harm the kidneys many mechanisms. Cigarette smoke contains toxic chemicals such as cadmium, which can harm the kidneys. Smoking promotes oxidative stress (When harmful molecules called free radicals damage cells in the body) and can narrow the blood vessels and damage the lining of blood vessels, which can lead to kidney damage.
Smoking also increases the risk of other conditions that can damage the kidneys, including diabetes and high blood pressure. There is no protected level of smoking, so it’s best to throw yourself with the support of a health care worker.
Overweight
Robust Body mass indicator (BMI) ranges from 18.5 to 24.9. Everything about what is classified as overweight or obesity. However, this is not the only measure of overweight – and sometimes it is inexact. . waist circumference It is a good measure of fat around the middle (central obesity), which, as shown, increases the risk of heart and diabetes – two common causes of kidney disease. Obesity can harm the kidneys directly Protecting adipose tissue chemicals.
Having a healthier diet in combination with exercises can aid you lose pounds, helping to maintain kidney health. Some tests He stated that physical activity reduces the risk of kidney disease – the pursuit of 30 minutes of aerobic exercises five days a week, but slowly build it.
Making a less well selection of food
Ultra processed food (UPFS) is production production that contain ingredients such as fats, sugars, salts and additives, including artificial colors, aromatisms and conservatives to make them better and raise their shelf life.
Read more: Ultra processed food: The largest review in history shows a lot of bad health influences-how to understand evidence
UPF examples include meat such as sausages, carbonated non -alcoholic drinks and packed bread. These foods are connected For various health problems, such as obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Recently, this has also been associated with kidney disease. American test He followed 14,000 adults for 24 years. Those who ate a lot of ultra-processed food had 24% higher risk of kidney disease. Almost 5,000 of them developed chronic kidney disease.
Diets high in salt (sodium) can also be problematicEspecially in people who already have kidney disease. The kidneys filter excess water from blood, requiring sodium and potassium balance. The high salt diet disturbs this balance, reducing the function of the kidneys and causing higher blood pressure, which tightens the kidneys and can lead to kidney disease.
Read more: Salty food causes diseases – partly poisoning your microbiome
Keep a maximum of six grams – or One teaspoon of salt a day.
Impoverished dream
It is a bit evidence This combines sleep quality and duration of kidney disease. AND test He showed that a indigent dream increases the risk of chronic kidney disease. Tests It differs slightly, but every day less than six hours or more than ten hours of sleep can harm the kidneys. Optimal sleep For most people, he tends to from seven to nine hours overnight.
Factors such as age and family history are beyond your control, but many habits can be changed to aid in managing kidney health.
