Habits that have a negative effect on the kidneys

Even a child knows that smoking can cause lung cancer, alcohol abuse can cause cirrhosis of the liver, a sedentary lifestyle is harmful to the heart, and excessive consumption of high-calorie foods is a direct path to obesity. But few people think that some of our habits are quite dangerous for the kidneys. This body is undeservedly forgotten. But it is the kidneys that are the “perpetual motion machine” that tirelessly removes waste products of metabolism, toxins and slags from the body. When the kidneys stop working, the rest of the organs will also not be able to function. So, what habits of a modern person have a detrimental effect on the body’s main purification system?

Insufficient water intake

For the proper functioning of all body systems, a person should consume about 2 liters of pure water daily (more precisely, the individual rate is calculated by the formula: 30 ml of water per 1 kg of body weight). Dehydration is an extremely dangerous condition for all systems, and especially for the kidneys.

The function of the kidneys is to cleanse the body of toxins and excrete them in the urine. But in order for this “flushing” system to work, it must regularly receive the required amount of liquid. If it is not enough, toxins are not removed in time, which is fraught with the appearance of urinary tract infections, the formation of kidney stones and even kidney failure. ^[1].

Dehydration causes the accumulation of waste products and acids, and can also overload the kidneys with muscle protein (myoglobin). Drinking enough water prevents stone-forming crystals from sticking together. The only case when a large amount of fluid can harm the kidneys is a decrease in the functional activity of the organ or kidney failure. ^[2].

Overindulgence in salt

In order for the urinary system of the body to work properly, it is important to maintain a balance of potassium and sodium. The abuse of salty foods disrupts it, which in turn causes a decrease in kidney function and leads to insufficient excretion of fluid from the body. This causes an increase in blood pressure, which, in turn, increases the load on the kidneys and can cause them to become ill. ^[3].

Salt abuse has a detrimental effect on glomerular hemodynamics, causing hyperfiltration and increased intraglomerular pressure. It is extremely dangerous to overindulge in salty foods for the elderly, patients with diabetes and obesity. According to one hypothesis, salt can accelerate the progression of chronic renal failure. ^[4].

It has been proven that high salt intake increases the level of protein in the urine, which is a risk factor for reducing the functionality of the organ. In addition, the abuse of salt can worsen the condition of people who already have problems with the urinary system. ^[5].

Excess protein in the diet

High-protein diets are the most popular among weight loss and people who are professionally involved in power sports. Proteins are undoubtedly one of the most important nutrients for the human body, but the abuse of protein foods is no less dangerous than its lack.

Passion for high-protein nutrition programs can lead to a violation of the functionality of the kidneys. It has been established that an excess of proteins can cause intraglomerular hypertension, which in turn leads to hyperfiltration of the organ, damage to the glomeruli, proteinuria (the presence of protein in the urine), increases the risk of developing nephrolithiasis and various metabolic abnormalities. In addition, Singaporean scientists found a relationship not only between the amount of protein consumed, but also its quality. Excessive intake of animal proteins is more dangerous than vegetable proteins ^{[6] [7]}. It is especially harmful to get involved in protein foods for people with chronic kidney disease.

Abuse of products that cause the formation of stones

Kidney stones are dense formations of salts and minerals. Their appearance is extremely dangerous for the urinary system. If the formations are very large, it can cause kidney failure. The risk of stone formation is increased if:

• abuse salty and protein foods of animal origin;
• overindulge in foods that contain a lot of calcium;
• exceed the daily requirement of vitamin C;
• overindulging in lemonades and other citrate-rich drinks ^[8].

But the risk of kidney damage due to foods is minimal if you eat a balanced diet.

An unbridled love for coffee

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks of our time. The caffeine contained in the drink helps a person stay in good shape and at the peak of his activity. For many, 4-5 cups of coffee a day have become the norm. But the abuse of drinks containing caffeine can be unsafe for the kidneys. Coffee and black tea are sources of oxalates, the substances that form kidney stones. ^[9].

Too much alcohol

Alcohol abuse is a direct path to chronic kidney disease, and for people who already have this disease, even a small portion of alcohol significantly increases the risk of death. Despite the fact that alcohol is metabolized mainly in the liver, it also “gets” to the kidneys. Approximately 10% of ingested ethanol in its original form is excreted by the kidneys. Alcohol consumption significantly increases the load on the kidneys, in addition, it can cause oxidative stress in the organ, which, in turn, is fraught with tissue damage due to hemodynamic disorders and inflammation. Also, against the background of excessive alcohol addiction, dysfunction of the renal tubules, impaired hemodynamics in the glomeruli, and a change in the structure of the organ may develop. ^[10].

Nicotine damages more than just the lungs

In addition to the fact that nicotine is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer, clinical studies confirm the certain harm of smoking for the kidneys. Scientific experiments have shown the relationship between smoking and the development of chronic kidney disease in patients with diabetes, hypertension, polycystic kidney disease, and after organ transplantation. Nicotine causes a temporary increase in blood pressure, which leads to a decrease in glomerular filtration rate and disruption of proper renal blood flow. Scientists conducted a series of studies that confirmed that nicotine can provoke irreversible changes in the body in people of all ages. ^[11]. So, smoking is another bad habit that is better to get rid of as soon as possible.

Too frequent use of medications

Painkillers and other medications are a real salvation for humanity. The possibilities of modern pharmacology make it possible to treat diseases from which people died or suffered greatly a few decades ago. However, some people are so addicted to taking medications, even when they can be dispensed with, that they do not notice how instead of good they bring harm to the body. Particularly the kidneys.

Any medication taken orally, having gone through certain metabolic processes, must be excreted from the body as a slag or toxin. And the urinary system is responsible for this function. Different groups of medicines can have different harmful effects on the kidneys:

• antibiotics – can form crystals that interfere with the outflow of urine and damage kidney cells, the risk of this effect increases when the dose of the medication is very high;
• diuretics – if you take them more than expected, dehydration occurs, which is dangerous for the kidneys;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – taking in high doses or for a long time can be dangerous for the urinary system, annually about 5% of cases of chronic renal failure are the result of NSAID abuse;
• proton pump inhibitors (heartburn medicines) – if abused, increase the risk of kidney failure ^[12].

Not getting enough sleep

It would seem, well, what could be the connection between lack of sleep and kidney health. But no, it’s there and it’s very tight. Scientists are getting more and more evidence that sleep disturbances affect the condition of the kidneys. Moreover, according to a Korean study, chronic kidney disease can develop, both due to lack of sleep, and as a result of excessively long sleep. According to scientists, people who sleep less than 5 and more than 8 hours are equally susceptible to the progression of CKD. ^[13].

Sedentary lifestyle

It is well known that a sedentary lifestyle is not good for the body. Reduced physical activity increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, impairs the functioning of the respiratory system, leads to impaired blood flow, and muscle atrophy. This is known to many. But not everyone knows that a sedentary lifestyle is also harmful to the kidneys. Meanwhile, researchers have found reliable evidence of the relationship between inactivity and chronic kidney disease. Bypassing all the complex terms, we can say that reduced motor activity causes certain chemical reactions in the body, which, in turn, lead to damage to the kidney cells. ^[14].

urinary retention

When the bladder is full, it must be emptied – it is impossible to delay urination. And it’s not about discomfort or discomfort. During urination, the urinary tract is flushed from bacteria, preventing them from multiplying. Otherwise, pathogens can travel up the urinary tract to the kidneys, causing inflammation. In addition, if urine is held back for too long, it will begin to flow back to the kidneys, which can lead to CKD or kidney failure. ^[15].

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