6 Habits That Damage Kidneys & How to Prevent Them
- MedBridge NZ
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Our kidneys are vital, hardworking organs, yet they are often called "silent organs." They don't complain or cause pain until significant damage has already been done. Many people don't realize they have a problem until they face kidney failure and the life-altering prospect of dialysis.
The good news is that by avoiding a few common habits that damage kidneys, you can protect your health for the long term. This article identifies six of the most significant kidney-damaging habits and explains how to prevent them.
Medical Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
6 Common Habits That Damage Kidneys
Here are six of the most common behaviors that can severely harm your kidneys.
1. Constantly Holding Your Urine
When you regularly delay urination, you aren't just holding urine—you're holding onto a "toxic liquid." This habit can cause urine, which may contain bacteria, to flow backward (reflux) up into the kidneys.
This reflux can lead to recurrent kidney infections (pyelonephritis). Over time, these repeated infections can cause permanent scarring and a gradual, irreversible loss of kidney function.
2. Not Drinking Enough Water
The primary job of your kidneys is to filter waste products. If you don't drink enough water, this habit starves your kidneys of the fluid they need to function.
This causes waste products to become highly concentrated—the video's expert describes it as "industrial waste." Your kidneys are then forced to work under extreme stress to filter this sludge. This overload significantly increases the risk of developing painful kidney stones.
3. Consuming Too Much Sugar
While eating sugar is not a direct cause of diabetes, a high-sugar habit is one of the most significant risk factors for developing Type 2 Diabetes.
This is a major kidney problem because the most common complication of long-term Type 2 Diabetes is diabetic kidney disease. High blood sugar damages the tiny filtering units in your kidneys, eventually leading to kidney failure.
4. Eating Too Much Salt
A high-sodium diet is a major contributor to high blood pressure. This habit damages kidneys indirectly by making your body retain water, which increases your blood pressure.
This chronic high blood pressure acts like a constant, high-pressure "jet-blasting" on the delicate filtering units (glomeruli) in your kidneys. Over time, these tiny blood vessels harden, clog, and die, turning functional kidney tissue into non-functional scar tissue.
5. Staying Up All Night (Chronic Sleep Deprivation)
Your kidneys follow a circadian rhythm. At night, they enter a "low-speed maintenance mode" to repair and regenerate.
When you chronically stay up late, this habit forces your kidneys to "work overtime." You are effectively stripping them of their only maintenance window, leading to accumulated stress and damage.
6. Misusing Medications
While many medications are safe, their misuse can be a habit that is toxic to the kidneys.
NSAIDs: Long-term overuse of common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like Ibuprofen) can reduce blood flow to the kidneys, leading to acute kidney injury.
Mixing Drugs: Taking multiple medications together without medical supervision can be even more dangerous.
Herbal Medicines: Certain herbal remedies, particularly those containing aristolochic acid, are known "kidney killers" that can cause severe and irreversible damage.
Avoid These Kidney-Damaging Habits: A Proactive Approach
Review these six habits that damage kidneys. How many of them are part of your daily life?
The most important takeaway is that your kidneys won't warn you until it's too late. If you are concerned about your kidney health or recognize these habits in your life, be proactive. Get regular check-ups that include:
A urine test (urinalysis)
A blood test for serum creatinine
A Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) calculation
Regular check-ups are key. If you are concerned about your kidney function or seeking a comprehensive health assessment, navigating your options can be overwhelming. A medical concierge provider can help you coordinate specialized care and appointments. For those exploring international options for advanced diagnostics, services like Medical Tourism in China provide access to world-class facilities and specialists.
Don't wait until a dialysis machine becomes a permanent part of your life to regret it.
Source
This article is based on a video by Dr. Bai Chen (白辰), an Attending Physician in Cardiac Surgery at Beijing Anzhen Hospital and a prominent medical science communicator.
References
Article Title: 6 Kidney-Damaging Habits You Must Change
