Scary Ways That You Could Be Damaging Your Kidneys Without Even Knowing It!

Our body is a gift from God. He has created us in his own likeness and as such, we need to take good care of our bodies and every single part of it. Here are some ways to know if you are causing damage to your kidneys.

8 ways in which you might be unknowingly damaging your kidneys

A healthy body houses a healthy mind. And caring for the wellbeing of your vital organs is critical to keeping your body healthy. One such organ that requires your utmost care and attention is the kidney. Your kidneys play a critical role in cleansing your body fluids and expelling waste substances from your system in the form of urine. In addition to this, the kidneys secrete essential hormones and regulate the concentration of minerals within your body to keep your blood pressure controlled and regenerate new red blood cells.

Some of the common tell tale signs of a possible kidney malfunction or damage include changes in your urinary patterns, excessive fatigue, bad breath, dry flaky skin, itchiness, nausea, dizziness, cold sweats and so on. It is absolutely essential to be aware of the condition of your kidneys and know exactly how to ensure their well being. To make things easier for you, we have compiled a list of unhealthy habits that might be damaging your kidneys.

1. Excessive consumption of sodium (salt) can lead to an elevation in your blood pressure and accelerate the process of kidney damage. Studies indicate that a diet rich in sodium can result in the formation of kidney stones and cause excessive abdominal pain, trouble in urinating and nausea.

2. Prolonged regular use of non steroidal pain killers or anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, advil or aspirin can cause severe damage to your kidneys and even lead to a complete failure or shutdown of the organ.

3. If you are in the habit of consuming large portions of meat on a regular basis, you might be unknowingly damaging your kidney. Meat is rich in protein that causes excessive acid formation within your system. This can lead to a condition known as acidosis, wherein your kidney is unable to process the acid at a normal rate.

4. A study performed in 2009 indicates a direct correlation between excessive consumption of diet soda and kidney problems. According to the study, people who consumed more than two soda drinks in a day were 30% more susceptible to contracting a kidney disease.

5. One of the most commonly overlooked habits that can lead to severe kidney damage is not drinking enough water on a daily basis. Adequate water consumption is critical to helping your kidneys perform their function of toxin expulsion in a proper way. However, if your body is dehydrated, your kidneys do not receive adequate fluids to function properly and eventually get damaged.

6. Excessive intake of processed foods is also a major culprit in many kidney problems. Since processed meals are rich in phosphorus and sodium content, they can damage your kidneys permanently.

7. Regular consumption of alcoholic drinks is a sure shot way of inflicting a permanent damage to your kidneys. Additionally, alcohol consumption coupled with regular smoking can also cause severe kidney injury.

8. Prolonged use of prescription medication for heartburn known as PPIs or Proton Pump Inhibitors can also cause a number of kidney problems in perfectly healthy individuals.