Bad habits that may be damaging your Kidneys

5. NOT SLEEPING ENOUGH

Overnight, your muscles, cells, and organs are revitalized and recuperate from all the work they do during the day.

If you don’t sleep enough (7 to 9 continuous hours), the recuperation process won’t be enough.

Think about how you feel in the morning when you go to work after not sleeping well… The same thing happens to your kidneys.

6. WAITING TO EMPTY YOUR BLADDER

Holding it in too long when you have to go to the bathroom is very bad for your health, both for your kidneys and for your urinary tract and bladder.

This can lead to incontinence or kidney failure. Don’t wait until you can’t any longer. Go as much as you need to.

7. DRINKING A LOT OF COFFEE

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in today’s society. While it may be beneficial when consumed in moderation, the problem comes when there is too much caffeine in your system.

Remember that coffee dehydrates you and makes your kidneys work extra. This additional work can be very harmful.

Also keep in mind that soda (especially cola), contains high amounts of caffeine and has the same effect as coffee.

8. CONSUMING A LOT OF SALT

In excess, sodium is not good for your kidneys. These organs regulate the metabolism of salt in water, and if there is too much of the former, they can’t do their job well.

For an adult, daily salt consumption should not exceed 5 grams (half a tablespoon).
It is essential to pay attention to this, since most processed food today contains a lot of sodium.

We also recommend not eating foods with high amounts of potassium, because it cannot be completely removed by your kidneys and builds up in your blood.

9. REGULAR USE OF ANALGESICS

Many of us have the habit of taking analgesics (over-the-counter painkillers) to control pain and reduce fever and inflammation. But this can damage different body organs, including the kidneys.

Research shows that analgesics may reduce blood flow to the kidneys and deteriorate kidney functioning. Moreover, heavy or long-term use of over-the-counter analgesics can cause acute renal failure or chronic kidney disease known as chronic interstitial nephritis.

If you have decreased kidney function, do not take painkillers without asking your doctor. Even with normal kidney function, analgesics should be used as directed, at the lowest dose possible and for the shortest time.

10. HIGH PROTEIN DIET

Protein is good for your health, but excessive consumption of red meat and other protein-based foods can increase the risk of developing kidney disease.

One of the roles of the kidneys is to metabolize and excrete nitrogen by products from protein digestion. High protein intake increases the metabolic load of the kidneys by chronically increasing glomerular pressure and hyperfiltration. This in turn increases the risk of kidney problems.

So, limit your intake of red meat for the overall health of your kidneys. Moreover, those who have kidney problems must avoid eating red meat as it can worsen the condition.