10 THINGS THAT CAUSE YOUR KIDNEYS TO FAIL

10 THINGS THAT CAUSE YOUR KIDNEYS TO FAIL
The kidneys take care of the urination
process in our bodies by filtering body
waste and excess of water. So, one
might say they are pretty important.
But, despite being such an important
component of our body, many of us do
not care properly for them and millions of
people die each year from kidney disease.
Many of us have habits that can harm
our kidneys. Here is a list of some
habits to avoid for healthy kidneys:
1. Drinking inadequate water
The biggest contributor to kidney
damage is not drinking enough water.
The main job of our kidneys is to drain
metabolic waste from the body and
regulate erythrocyte balances. So,
when we’re not properly hydrated,
the renal blood flow decreases, ultimately
resulting in accumulation of toxins in the blood.
2. Long-term full bladder
A habit many of us have is delaying
the call of nature. Many complications
in the urinary tract may arise, when
leaving the bladder full of urine for an
extended time. Hypertrophy of
detrusor musclemay lead to formation
of diverticula. Hydronephrosis, an
increase of urine pressure in kidneys
is another example which is caused by
chronic back pressure on kidneys,
ultimately resulting in renal failure and even the
need for dialysis.
3. Consuming too much sodium
Another function of our kidneys is
metabolizing the sodium we consume.
The salt we eat is the prime source of
sodium and the majority of our
sodium intake needs to be excreted.
So, eating excessive amounts of salt
keep the kidneys busy (excreting
sodium), which may cause long term
stress on our kidneys.
4. Consumption of too much caffeine
When we’re thirsty, we often choose
beverages other than water such as
soft drinks and sodas. Many of these
beverages contain caffeine. Caffeine
can elevate blood pressure, and high
blood pressure puts strain on the
kidneys which can damage them.
5. Pain-killer abuse
Taking pain-killers for low-grade pain
is a bad habit many people have. This
is a dangerous habit, because most
pain-killers have severe side effects
and can damage different organs, such
as kidneys. According to several researches,
taking pain pills in the long term reduces blood
flow and deteriorates kidneys’ function.
6. Too much protein
Over-consuming red meat and other
protein-rich foods can deteriorate the
condition of damaged kidneys. A
protein-rich diet is essentially healthy
unless you suffer from kidney damage
and your doctor recommends a
protein-restricted diet. Too much
protein increases the metabolic load on our
kidneys.
7. Too much alcohol consumption
Excessive alcoholic intake is a kidney-
damaging habit. This is because,
alcohol contains toxins which put
stress on our kidneys and can damage
them.
8. Smoking
According to the CDC, smoking is bad
for almost every organ of the body,
including the kidneys. According to
several studies, there is a connection
between smoking and kidney disease.
9. Ignoring colds and flu
Ignoring the common cold and flu is a
bad habit that can cause kidney damage. Several
studies have shown that people who have kidney
disease also have a history of avoiding resting
while sick.
10. Sleeplessness
While sleeping, a process of renewal of
organ tissues occurs. So, when you
don’t get enough sleep, it interrupts
the renewal process, resulting in
damage to the kidneys and other
organs.
Save a kidney today.