Six lifestyle habits that harm your kidneys

The kidneys are called the "cleaners" of the human body. They excrete unnecessary waste and excess water from the body. Did you know that some improper habits or behaviors in daily life can become “killers” that “erode” kidney function?

Abuse of drugs that damage the kidneys

In recent years, clinical studies have repeatedly found that long-term and large-dose use of Chinese herbal medicines such as Stephania tetrandra, Magnolia officinalis, Atractylodes macrocephala, Cistanche deserticola, and Aristolochia ternata, as well as long-term or large-dose use of Western medicines such as painkillers, indomethacin, paracetamol, and aspirin, can cause kidney damage.

Drink strong tea after drinking

Some people believe that drinking strong tea after drinking alcohol can help them sober up. In fact, this not only cannot sober them up, but can also damage the kidneys. The caffeine in tea can quickly affect the kidneys and exert a diuretic effect. At this time, the alcohol has not had time to be broken down and is excreted from the kidneys, causing the kidneys to be stimulated by a large amount of ethanol, thereby damaging kidney function.

Excessive consumption of highly acidic beverages

The human body maintains acid-base balance through self-regulation. Soft drinks and sports drinks are generally highly acidic, and the acidity and alkalinity in the body change significantly after drinking them. The kidneys are the main organs that regulate the acidity and alkalinity of the human body. Long-term excessive intake of soft drinks and sports drinks will put a burden on the kidneys and increase the probability of kidney damage.

Eating too salty food

A diet that is too salty, especially some snacks that are too high in salt, can cause people to absorb excessive salt without realizing it, leading to high blood pressure. The kidneys cannot maintain normal blood flow, thus inducing kidney disease.

Drinking too little water

If you do not drink water for a long time, the amount of urine will decrease and the concentration of waste and toxins carried in the urine will increase. Common clinical conditions such as kidney stones and urinary tract infections are closely related to not drinking water for a long time. Drinking enough water can dilute urine, protect the kidneys, and help fully excrete waste and toxins.

Frequent urine retention

If urine stays in the bladder for too long, bacteria can easily multiply and then travel back through the ureters to the kidneys, causing a urinary tract infection. Once this type of infection recurs, it can lead to chronic pyelonephritis, which is also one of the causes of renal failure.