5 Things You Do Every Day That's Contributing to Kidney Disease

Kidney disease is a condition where the kidneys become damaged beyond repair and cease to stop functioning on its own. This is usually a chronic process and when the kidney stops working, the individual has to rely on dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. The kidney plays an important role in keeping the body healthy and functional. The kidneys act as a filtering system and pass all the waste and toxic buildup that the body accumulates into the urine. The waste is then expelled from the body when a person urinates. The kidneys also help to keep the body's essential minerals at the correct balance. It is important to protect the kidneys and prevent kidney disease from afflicting the body. There are several things that people do every day that can lead to kidney disease. Things, like drinking alcohol, smoking, having a high sodium diet, eating too many sugary foods and taking certain medications, can adversely affect the kidneys.

1 - Drinking Alcohol

Drinking alcoholic beverages can harm your kidneys because this substance produces toxins that impair the kidney's ability to function optimally. Alcoholic beverages include wine, beer, and hard spirits. Drinking more than 4 drinks a day can cause the kidneys substantial damage. The kidneys have to work harder to filter the alcohol out of the body. Drinking too much alcohol can also lead to vomiting. When a person vomits, their body's pH balance is thrown out of sync and the kidney has to exert more effort in fixing this imbalance. Overtaxing the kidneys habitually can lead to kidney disease. Be sure to drink alcohol in moderation to help protect your kidneys.

2 - Smoking And Other Tobacco Products

Tobacco contains many potent chemicals that have a negative effect on one's body. Smoking introduces toxic substances to the body and the kidneys have to work harder to expel it. People who smoke or use tobacco excessively will develop kidney disease. Smoking can also cause the blood vessels in the kidneys to constrict, making it difficult for the proper fluids and nutrients to pass through. The waste in the body will accumulate and have nowhere to go since the kidneys filtering functions are greatly reduced. This waste buildup can play a factor in developing kidney disease. Refrain from smoking and other tobacco products and your kidneys will thank you for it.

3 - Having A High Sodium Diet

It is easy to consume foods that have contain a high amount of salt. There are so many fast food and junk foods options that are easily accessible and affordable to the general population. While the options are convenient and tasty, they are loaded with too much salt. Once these high sodium foods are eaten, the extra sodium will alter the essential fluid balance in the body causing the kidneys to work slower and become less effective in their responsibilities of filtering and regulating waste. Avoid cooking foods with flavored salts, MSG, bouillon cubes, BBQ sauce, and soy sauce. Also, stay away from salty meats like sausage, lunch meats, and bacon. All of these items, have a very high level of salt and can cause kidney disease in the long run if eaten too frequently. Try to pick food choices that are sodium free and unsalted.

4 - Eating Too Many Sugary Foods

Another type of food that's unhealthy and detrimental to the kidneys is foods loaded with sugar. Eating too many sweet foods and snacks are a very easy habit to develop. Blood sugars may increase if too much sugar is consumed. The increased sugar in the blood, also known as blood glucose, can impair and damage the kidneys. The excessive blood glucose in the body can cause the kidneys to work harder than it needs to. Over time, the filters in the kidneys become damaged and no longer work as it did in its optimal state. Illnesses, like diabetes, can cause kidney disease because of the body's inability to regulate blood sugar properly. It is important to maintain a healthy diet that is low in refined sugars and high in dietary fiber.

5 - Taking Certain Medications

There are certain drugs that can cause damage to your kidneys. If the damage is substantial, it can lead to kidney disease. Medications can cause your body to retain too much fluid and then the kidneys to become overworked and unable to function as it should. Certain pain medications are far more effective and better for the kidney than others. Make sure a doctor is aware of concerns about kidney disease, they will work with you to determine the right course of action.