11 Signs Indicating Your Kidney is damaged and What to Avoid
The kidneys are critical in the process of removing toxins and waste products from the body. The health of our kidneys depends on us doing everything we can to maintain it.
When it comes to the functionality of our body, our kidneys play an essential role. Blood is filtered by two bean-shaped organs, which are also responsible for producing urine.
You may notice these symptoms if your kidneys are not functioning properly:
- Bad breath
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Itching
- Fatigue
- Pain
- Noticeable change in your urine
- Sleep issues
- High blood pressure
- Loss of appetite
- Swelling of the ankle and feet
Don’t hesitate to see a doctor if you notice these symptoms, as your kidneys are most likely affected.
Most common kidney-damaging habits:
1. Drinking too much alcohol
This is stressful for your kidneys as well as your liver. Too much alcohol will cause your uric acid to build up in the kidney tubules and cause blockages. This can lead to kidney failure.
2. Taking painkillers
Pain medications, such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and Analgesics, may relieve your pain, but they can harm your kidneys, especially if you already have kidney disease. Reduce your regular use of NSAIDs and never exceed the recommended dose.
3. Not getting enough sleep
Our bodies need six to eight hours of sleep a night. If we don’t get enough sleep, we will have a multitude of health problems. Poor sleep habits can lead to clogged arteries as well as hypertension. This can have a big impact on your kidneys.
4. Eating too much salt
If we eat too much salt, our kidneys will be forced to work harder and keep our bodies in excess water. Water retention like this will cause kidney disease.
5. Eating too much protein
If you eat too much protein, your kidneys will not be able to eliminate excess nitrogen in the body. Too much protein increases the metabolic load on the kidneys. You should always limit your intake of red meats or stop eating them altogether. Protein is necessary for growth, maintenance and repair of all body parts, but your diet should be well balanced with fruits and vegetables.
6. Smoking cigarettes
Sure, smoking is not good for your lungs or your heart. But did you know that smoking may not be good for your kidneys either? People who smoke are more likely to have protein in their urine – a sign of kidney damage.
7. Delayed urination
Don’t hold your urine, if you have to go, don’t make yourself wait. This will allow bacteria to multiply and cause many problems, including UTIs.
8. Not drinking enough water
Staying well hydrated helps your kidneys clear sodium and toxins from your body. Drinking plenty of water is also one of the best ways to avoid painful kidney stones. Those with kidney problems or kidney failure may need to restrict their fluid intake, but for most people, drinking 1.5 to 2 liters (3 to 4 liters) of water a day is a healthy target.
9. Not exercising
Exercise is a great way to protect your kidneys. If you are not exercising at least a little, you should start.
10. Not treating common infections correctly
We all tend to ignore some of the most common symptoms of illness for as long as we can. This pushes our bodies into a state of near exhaustion and can cause kidney damage, among other problems.
11. Consuming too much caffeine
Too much caffeine will cause high blood pressure and overtime stretching your kidneys.
Your kidneys are something you cannot live without. You must do your best to maintain its health, as well as the health of the rest of your body. For more information on how to do a kidney cleanse, please take the time to watch the video below.
Source:healthsdiary.com, kidney.org
