Kidney function is essential to our health. If they don’t work properly, it can have dangerous consequences such as high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke. It is all the more important that we avoid behavior that puts a strain on the organs. We explain which 7 mistakes damage the kidneys.
The kidneys perform many important tasks in our body – these include, for example, detoxification and the regulation of fluid balance and blood pressure. This is exactly why it can be so dangerous when the organs are damaged: The consequences can include cardiovascular diseases , which can sometimes be fatal. In order to contribute to kidney health, we should avoid certain behaviors that put a strain on the kidneys.
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Kidneys: 7 mistakes that damage the kidneys
1. Too little water
It is not for nothing that one reads again and again that sufficient liquid intake is important for health. If you drink enough, you can concentrate better, prevent headaches and improve your digestion. Adequate fluid intake is even important for our kidneys: the organs excrete metabolic waste and toxins through the urine. Sufficient liquid is required for this to work well. So drink at least 1.5 liters of water or unsweetened tea daily to support your kidneys. On the other hand, you should avoid high-sugar drinks or alcohol, as these put a strain on the organs.
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2. Not getting enough sleep
The quality of our sleep also contributes significantly to our health. A lack of sleep can have short-term consequences such as poor concentration or headaches, and in the long-term it can lead to a weakened immune system and a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and mental illnesses. Since regeneration processes take place during sleep and organ tissue is renewed, disturbed sleep can damage organs such as the kidneys.
3. Improper diet
Nutrition forms the basis for a healthy body and is particularly important with regard to the kidneys. A large proportion of people eat too much fast food, high-fat foods and ready meals and consume too much salt and sugar. All of this puts a strain on our detoxification organs: high salt consumption, for example, means that the kidneys have to work harder and their function can be restricted – apart from that, high salt consumption promotes the development of high blood pressure, which in turn damages the kidneys.
4. Overweight
Being overweight is unhealthy – most people are aware of that. Of course, this does not mean that everyone who has one or two kilos too much on their hips has to reckon with immediate health consequences. However, being overweight can have a significant impact on our health. For example, the risk of diseases such as diabetes, heart attack, stroke or fatty liver increases . Obesity is also a risk factor for kidney damage, as this is often associated with high blood pressure, which in turn damages the blood vessels in the kidneys.
5. Taking medication
Taking medication, especially painkillers, can also put a strain on the kidneys. Some of them can reduce blood flow to the kidneys, thus reducing the organs’ ability to function. People who frequently take painkillers have an increased risk of kidney damage. Take painkillers seldom, in small doses, and only when absolutely necessary.
6. Smoking
Most smokers are aware that cigarette consumption is unhealthy. But contrary to what is often assumed, smoking not only damages the lungs, but also the cardiovascular system, the liver and the kidneys. On the one hand, the filter function of the organs decreases during smoking and, on the other hand, it increases blood pressure, which puts additional strain on the kidneys. The nicotine in cigarettes can increase the risk of kidney failure, especially for those who already have kidney disease.
7. Too much caffeine
Coffee, energy drinks or black tea – caffeinated drinks are on the daily menu for many people. Because at least black tea and coffee are healthy pick-me-ups in moderation. The consumption of caffeine leads to a short-term increase in blood pressure – in excess, this can put a strain on the kidneys. Since caffeine also promotes the excretion of calcium in the urine, the risk of kidney stones also increases.