10 Common Habits That May Harm Your Kidneys

Kidneys act as your body’s filter system, removing waste products from your blood and producing urine. They are also responsible for controlling the levels of the various substances present in your blood. They even help control your blood pressure! [1] However, there are many common habits that can potentially damage your kidneys, leading to issues such as kidney failure. 

The 10 Habits That May Cause Kidney Issues Such as Kidney Failure

Your kidneys maintain the correct body fluid levels in your body. They also control your body chemistry by regulating the quantities of water, salt, and other chemicals that move around your body. With all of these important functions to perform, keeping your kidneys in healthy shape is vital! Let’s look at the common habits that can harm your kidneys. 

Read More: If Your Kidneys Are in Danger, the Body Will Show these 10 Signs

1: Using Too Many Painkillers

While many painkiller medications might be helpful for alleviating your aches, they can also potentially damage your kidneys. Daily use of analgesic painkillers such as aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen can lead to chronic kidney problems. Painkillers that contain several of these medicines can be harmful to your kidneys if mixed with codeine or caffeine. [2] Using certain painkillers daily for a long period can lead to damage to the kidney’s small filtering blood vessels. This can result in a chronic kidney problem known as analgesic nephropathy.

2: Using Too Much Salt in Your Food

Every day, your body goes through the process of removing unwanted fluid. It does this by filtering blood through your kidneys, which draws the excess water out of your blood. In order to pull the water from the bloodstream, your body requires the correct balance of potassium and sodium. Eating too much salt will alter your sodium balance, which can lead to reduced kidney function. It can also speed up the deterioration of kidneys in those who already suffer from kidney issues. [3]

3: Consuming Processed Foods

Phosphorus is considered a vital nutrient that is required for many physiological functions in the human body. However, high levels of phosphorus, such as those found in processed foods can lead to serious health issues. Recent studies have revealed that high phosphorus intake can adversely affect the renal, skeletal, and cardiovascular systems. People who already suffer from chronic kidney disease are especially susceptible to these effects and risk kidney failure. [4] Some doctors recommend the DASH diet to those who require some dietary guidance. 

4: Inadequate Water Intake

Water plays a crucial role in maintaining kidney health by aiding in the removal of waste from your blood through urine. It also ensures that blood vessels remain open, allowing nutrient-rich blood to reach the kidneys effectively. However, being dehydrated can seriously hinder this process. Even mild dehydration can cause fatigue and disrupt normal bodily functions. In more severe cases, it can lead to kidney damage. Therefore, staying hydrated is particularly important when engaging in strenuous activities or when you are exposed to warm and humid conditions. Research suggests that frequent, even mild dehydration could result in long-term kidney damage.

Read More: 10 Warning Signs Your Kidneys Could Be Failing

5: Not Sleeping Enough

Sleep deprivation has been associated with a range of health issues, such as kidney disease. Kidney function is influenced by the sleep-wake cycle, which helps manage the kidneys’ workload throughout the day and night. During sleep, your body repairs and regenerates kidney tissue, so a lack of adequate rest can hinder the healing process, making it more difficult for the kidneys to recover from damage. You should ideally aim for around 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. 

6: Consuming Too Much Meat

Excessive consumption of animal protein, especially red meat, increases your kidneys’ metabolic workload, This can potentially lead to stress and kidney damage. Animal protein produces high acid levels in your blood, which can cause acidosis. This is a condition where the kidneys can’t eliminate acid quickly enough. While protein is considered essential for growth, maintenance, and repair, it’s important to balance your diet with fruits and vegetables to protect kidney health.

7: Consuming Food High in Sugar

Eating too much sugar-heavy foods can lead to obesity, which can increase your risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure. These conditions are best avoided as they are currently the leading causes of kidney disease. You would be very surprised to learn how many non-sweet foods contain high amounts of sugar. Besides the usual suspects such as candies and desserts, sugar is also found in food products such as condiments, white bread, and breakfast cereals. 

8: Smoking 

Smoking tobacco can significantly harm your kidneys in several different ways. It increases the risk of developing certain kidney cancers, and damages your cardiovascular system, leading to poor blood flow and potential kidney damage over time. Smoking also raises the risk of stroke and heart attack. Additionally, smoking tobacco can contribute to (or worsen) diabetic kidney disease, the leading cause of kidney failure. It can also cause spikes in blood pressure, further straining your kidneys.

9: Drinking Too Much Alcohol

Drinking heavily regularly can double your risk of developing chronic kidney disease. When you combine drinking with smoking tobacco, then the risk increases even more dramatically. In fact, people who smoke and drink have around five times more chance of eventually developing chronic kidney disease. 

10: Sedentary Lifestyle

Nearly half of the people with reduced kidney function spend more than six hours a day sitting. This long period of inactivity not only worsens existing health problems but also significantly increases the risk of future health issues, especially heart disease. For those with weakened kidneys, this is especially concerning because their bodies are already under extra strain. Reducing the amount of time spent sitting is important for improving your overall health and lowering these risks.

Read More: 6 Types of Medications That Can Potentially Harm Your Kidneys