8 Habits That Are Silently Damaging Your Kidneys

Maintaining the kidneys in impeccable condition is crucial to ensuring good health. Kidneys perform integral functions such as filtering blood to eliminate waste, balancing electrolyte content in the blood, and maintaining fluid levels in the body. Although you may be aware of the significance of healthy kidneys for the proper functioning of your body, you may not realize that certain habits you follow can adversely affect your kidneys and possibly lead to serious complications.

Here are 8 habits you must quit now to protect your kidneys from potential damage:

1. Overuse of painkillers: When affected by pain or ache, most people resort to painkillers. However, overuse of over-the-counter painkillers can affect your kidneys, impact the flow of blood to kidneys and aggravate existing kidney problems. Urgent care Washington DC suggests reducing intake of painkillers. 
2. Too much salt in the diet: Food that features high amounts of salt will increase sodium levels in your blood, which in turn will send your blood pressure levels rocketing. Consistently high blood pressure levels can have a damaging effect on the kidneys. Cut down on salt and try using spices, herbs, or condiments to flavor food instead.
3. Having too much-processed food: Most processed foods feature high levels of phosphorus and sodium, both of which can damage the kidneys in multiple ways. Choose fresh food and home-cooked meals instead. 
4. Inadequate water intake: Drinking water helps flush out toxins and extra sodium from your body. When the body is not properly hydrated, the kidneys are unable to function optimally, leading to kidney problems and a host of other health complications. Doctors at urgent care Washington DC recommend drinking at least 2-3 litres of water every day.
5. Insufficient sleep: Yes. Your sleep or lack of it can directly impact the health of your kidneys. In addition to repairing and resting the body, sleep is also integral to synchronizing your kidney function over the course of a day.
6. Heavy use of sugar: You probably know that a sugar-rich diet and good health do not go hand in hand. It is easy to pile up on sugar even without knowing it. Packaged breakfast cereals, fruit juices, and white bread are all rich sources of sugar that can put you at risk of developing diabetes or high blood pressure. Diabetologists at urgent care clinic Washington DC recommend carefully reading the ingredient label of packaged food to control sugar intake.
7. Smoking: Everyone knows smoking can seriously harm the lungs and the heart. Recent studies suggest that smoking is not good news for your kidneys either. Regular smokers often have abnormally high protein content in their urine – a clear indication of kidney damage. Additionally, kidney damage also tends to be more extensive in smokers, often necessitating transplants or dialysis. 
8. Alcohol consumption: Heavy intake of alcoholic beverages can seriously damage the kidneys and possibly lead to chronic kidney failure. People who drink and smoke heavily are at higher risk of developing kidney issues compared to people who moderately indulge in these habits.

By switching to a more active lifestyle with meaningful social connections, a better routine, and healthier food choices, it is possible to reduce the damaging effects of these habits and regain the health of your kidneys. Consult the doctors at your nearest urgent care Washington DC for more advice on maintaining healthy kidneys.