Prevention Of Chronic Kidney Disease 6 Things You Should Not Do

If you or your loved one have diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disorders, this content is for you. These disorders can put you at more risk of developing chronic kidney disease, a condition in which your kidneys do not work as well as they should. Managing the health conditions you have is the first step in the prevention of chronic kidney disease. Here are six things you should not do in the prevention of CKD.
 

Prevention Of Chronic Kidney Disease

1. Do Not Smoke

The first thing that tops the list of things you should not do in the prevention of CKD is smoking. Smoking can damage the heart and blood vessels and slows the blood flow to vital organs like kidneys. Over time, this poor blood flow can cause kidney damage. 

If you are diagnosed with blood pressure, you should be extra cautious with this smoking as it can affect the medications you take and blood pressure levels. Poorly controlled blood pressure is the most important cause of kidney disease. Smoking can even increase your risk of kidney cancer. 

2. Don’t Drink Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the toxic substances your kidney filters. Though, alcohol can dehydrate the body and affect the function of kidneys. Excessive alcohol drinking can prevent kidneys from filtering blood properly and disrupts the hormones that influence kidney function. Binge drinking can even lead to acute kidney failure (sudden loss in kidney function).

It can also cause high blood pressure and affect blood pressure medications which can lead to kidney damage. What’s worse? Smokers who drink heavily are five times more likely to develop chronic kidney disease than individuals who don’t smoke or drink excess alcohol. Avoid alcohol consumption or limit to the levels recommended by your healthcare provider. 

3. Limit Sodium

Too much salt can make it hard for the kidneys to remove fluids, and fluid buildup can increase blood pressure. Over time, this high blood pressure puts extra strain on the heart and weakens heart muscles. Heart disease, as well as high blood pressure both, can increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease. 

Be sure your diet does not include any more than 2300 mg per day. If you have blood pressure, an ideal limit may be even less. Ask your healthcare professional how much salt you can take. Instead of eating prepared foods, cook foods with less salt. Add spices and herbs to flavor the food. You can add dill, curry, ginger, bay leaf, cardamom, and basil.

4. Avoid Using Non-Prescription Pain Relievers

Many of us go to the local pharmacy and buy an over-the-counter pain medicine if we have a headache or fever. While these medicines are generally safe, we should know that no medicine carries zero risk. Overuse of pain medicines called NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen can cause kidney damage. 

At high doses, these drugs have a harmful effect on kidney tissues by reducing blood flow. It is very essential to check with your physician if you take these medicines often or at high doses and should not be used with your physician’s permission if you have low kidney function. Take these medicines exactly as recommended and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration while you use these medications. 

5. Avoid Eating Processed Foods

Processed foods consist of high amounts of sodium and phosphorus to increase the flavor and taste. Phosphorus in high quantities can cause harm to the kidneys and bones. It also increases the risk of brain and heart problems. Avoid pickles, canned foods, and fast foods. Be sure to check labels when buying packaged foods and see whether the sodium and phosphorus quantity is within your ideal limit.

6. Say No To A High-Fat Diet

Fats are vital as they protect your organs, help the absorption of vital nutrients, and produce energy. Too much fat buildup in the body is bad, especially for the heart. When the heart gets weak, it also affects the kidney. Prefer Steam, boil, or baked foods over fried foods. Remove the skin from poultry & trim fat from meat. Limit products of coconut oil, palm oil, cocoa butter and bacon fat.
 

Bridge The Knowledge Gap For Better Kidney Care

The kidneys are the most vital organs among the other organs of the human body. Malfunctions of the kidneys can result in serious illness or even death. Each kidney has a very complex structure and performs important functions such as flushing out harmful and toxic waste products, maintaining fluid balance i.e., water and electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, etc. Your good health needs properly functioning kidneys. If you are at risk of kidney diseases, take steps to prevent kidney diseases and stay happy.