Kidneys perform the crucial bodily functions of filtering waste and excess fluids from the blood. They also serve to balance your body’s water, salt, and mineral levels. Keeping these vital organs in healthy working condition is critical to preventing debilitating kidney problems.
10 Habits, Lifestyle Changes to Avoid Kidney Disease
If you want to avoid painful conditions like kidney stones, infection, disease, or even failure, here are ten habits you should avoid. It’s not too hard to keep these organs healthy if you follow these simple guidelines.
1. Stop Smoking
We all know the terrible effects that smoking has on your lungs and heart, but did you know that it also can cause problems with your kidneys?
Smokers are five times more likely than other people to develop chronic kidney disease. This activity also contributes to high blood pressure and diabetes, which can further negatively impact kidney function.
2. Avoid Dehydration
Is your urine looking dark or orange-colored? You may not be drinking enough water. Dehydration is a primary contributor to kidney problems.
You should be drinking eight 8 oz. glasses of H20 per day.
3. Reduce Salt Intake
Eating salty foods will raise your blood pressure and cause dehydration and water retention.
This may increase the risk of developing stones, one of the most common and painful kidney ailments.
4. Be Careful of Boozing
A glass of wine with dinner can be healthy and relaxing, but binge drinking is not.
If you are consuming up to four drinks in one sitting on a regular basis, you are vulnerable to a range of issues, including kidney problems.
5. Cut Down on Diet Sodas
Studies have found a link between drinking diet soda and developing kidney problems. Women who consumed two or more diet sodas per day have been found to experience up to a 30% decrease in kidney function.
Cut the cokes!
6. Do Not Exercise to Excess
Working out is certainly healthy, but like everything, overdoing it can be dangerous.
People who work out too much risk dehydration and even a condition called rhabdomyolysis, which overloads the kidneys with too much waste to flush out efficiently.
Take it easy!
7. Watch Those Heartburn Meds
Recent studies show that popular OTC heartburn medications may cause kidney damage in the long term.
Suppose you take Prilosec, Nexium, or Prevacid, otherwise known as proton pump inhibitors. In that case, you may want to discuss with your physician whether they are having any ill effects on your kidneys.
8. Consume More Natural Foods
Processed foods contain lots of phosphorous and sodium, both elements which may cause kidney issues in the long run.
Switching to more natural foods like coconut oil will help your kidney health in addition to providing a multitude of other benefits.
9. Lower the Amount of Meat You Eat
Everybody needs protein. However, the protein in meat can cause acid in your blood. This affects kidneys poorly as they try to flush out the excess acid.
Try to substitute meat-based proteins to your diet with more nuts, lentils, and tofu.
10. Watch How Many Advils You are Taking
Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs are great for aches, pain, and arthritis. However, if taken for extended periods of time, they may cause chronic kidney conditions.
If you are experiencing water retention from taking too many over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, stop taking them and notify your doctor.
Avoid Kidney Problems Through Healthy Living
Once your kidneys have been damaged, you may have to undergo ongoing care like medication or dialysis for life.
You can avoid that by sticking to a healthy lifestyle that will protect all of your inner organs and ensure a vibrant life for years to come.
