Doctor: 5 seemingly good habits that secretly harm the kidneys

Kidney disease rates are rising alarmingly, but many people suddenly develop the disease without knowing the cause.

In addition to familiar factors such as eating salty foods, drinking little water or high blood pressure..., there are also seemingly harmless habits that silently destroy the kidneys.

According to estimates from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 7 adults have chronic kidney disease (CKD), but up to 90% of these people do not know it. Chronic kidney disease damages the kidneys, reduces the ability to filter blood, causes toxins to accumulate and increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Here are 5 common kidney-damaging habits that doctors warn about, according to health news site Best Life.

Protein from animal meat is especially dangerous for people with kidney disease.

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Eating too much protein increases the risk of kidney disease

Eating two or three times the recommended amount of protein doesn't help build muscle, it just overtaxes your kidneys, says Dr. David Shusterman, a leading American urologist. A 2020 study in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology also found that a high-protein diet increases the risk of kidney disease. Animal protein is especially dangerous for people with kidney disease. Instead, doctors recommend choosing plant-based proteins like beans, nuts, soy, quinoa, or lentils.

Abuse of dietary supplements

Doctors warn that some supplements, especially in high doses, can be harmful to the kidneys. High doses of turmeric, vitamin C, and calcium can cause kidney stones; vitamin D can interact with medications in patients with chronic kidney disease; and excess potassium is dangerous. So consult your doctor before taking.

Drink tea to purify the body

Detox teas often contain unregulated herbs like licorice and diuretics. This can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which can put a strain on the kidneys, which are the body’s best natural detoxification organs, Dr. Shusterman notes.

Drink too much water

The kidneys can only process about 0.8 - 1 liter of water per hour. Drinking more than this can easily cause hyponatremia, which causes fluid to accumulate in the cells, affecting the brain and possibly endangering life. The rule is simple: drink when thirsty and monitor the color of your urine.

Painkiller abuse

Ibuprofen, aspirin or naproxen, if used regularly, can restrict blood flow through the kidneys, reducing filtering function. Dr. Thomas Pontinen, from the MAPS Pain Management Center (USA), warns: Just 2 Advil tablets a day for 3 weeks can cause acute kidney injury. Only use when absolutely necessary and prioritize natural methods such as rest and hot and cold compresses.

Thus, kidney disease can be detected early through blood and urine tests. Doctors recommend maintaining a healthy lifestyle: weight control, regular exercise, salt restriction, no smoking and blood pressure monitoring, according to Best Life.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bac-si-5-thoi-quen-tuong-tot-khong-ngo-lai-am-tham-hai-than-185250918223116875.htm