Table of Contents
The kidneys have a wide variety of different functions that are crucial to the smooth functioning of numerous bodily functions and systems.
They are responsible for the removal of waste products such as urea from the body, the balancing, and removal of excess fluid, stabilizing levels of bodily minerals and chemicals, regulating blood pressure, production of red blood cells, and much more.
Therefore, it is vital to maintain good kidney health to ensure that these processes are functioning smoothly.
Maintaining good kidney health can help patients avoid several illnesses and ailments such as kidney pain, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, kidney stones, kidney cysts, kidney cancer, and much more.
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1. Potential Kidney Problems and Causes:
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are small, hard deposits of minerals and salts that are formed in the kidneys. (1)
Kidney stones can be caused by not drinking enough water, obesity, and consumption of foods that are high in sodium, calcium, oxalate, and phosphate. Kidney stones can often lead to severe abdominal pain and nausea.
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Kidney Cancer
Studies have shown that smoking, high blood pressure, exposure to radiation, and obesity may increase the risk of developing kidney cancer. (3)
Kidney cancer may cause weight loss, fever, and blood in the urine.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease involves a gradual loss in kidney functioning over a certain period of time.
Chronic kidney disease is usually caused by certain external or internal conditions that place undue stress on the kidneys such as diabetes, smoking, obesity, and hypertension.
2. How To Prevent Kidney Damage:
Manage and Control Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can create substantial damage to blood vessels and various filtration systems in the kidney which can ultimately result in certain kidney ailments. (2)
Therefore, patients can avoid kidney damage caused by hypertension by reducing the amount of sodium in the diet, avoiding smoking, and limiting the consumption of alcohol and caffeine.
Maintain A Healthy Diet and Weight
Maintaining a healthy diet and weight can help patients avoid certain ailments such as high blood pressure that can lead to kidney diseases.
Therefore, patients must ensure that they are not overweight and that their diet consists of food that is high in nutritional value. There are manyfoods that are good for your kidney health.
Additionally, people also consume a variety of kidney detox drinks.
Some prefer kidney cleanse tea.
Your diet should also be low in sodium, calcium, oxalate, and phosphate levels.
Do not miss to check out foods to avoid for kidney health.
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Avoid OTC Drug Usage
Certain OTC (Over The Counter) medications such as ibuprofen may cause irreversible damage to the kidneys if consumed in large doses.
Large doses of non-inflammatory OTC drugs can restrict blood flow to the kidneys which can ultimately cause irreversible damage to kidney tissues. (4)
Regular Exercise
Regular exercise may be linked to a reduced risk of chronic kidney disease.
Studies have shown that regular exercise can potentially improve heart health and reduce hypertension, which may consequently help patients avoid certain kidney problems. (5)
Regular exercise has also been linked to improved muscle strength over time, enhanced physical functioning, and reduced levels of triglycerides and cholesterol.
NOTE: There are various side effects for your kidney if you are consuming whey protein on a regular basis.
For further information, please read our blog on Whey protein side effects on kidney.
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Manage Blood Sugar Levels
High blood sugar levels can cause blockages in the blood vessels and hence cause significant damage to the kidneys. (6)
Therefore, it is crucial for patients to carefully monitor blood sugar levels to ensure that no undue damage is caused to the kidneys. You can manage your blood sugar levels by introducing more exercise into your day-to-day routine and making changes to your diet.
3. Foods to Avoid for Prevention of Kidney Problems:
Avocados
Even though avocados contain many beneficial nutritional qualities such as large amounts of antioxidants and fiber, people at risk for certain kidney problems may need to avoid excessive consumption of them.
Since avocados contain large amounts of potassium, this could increase the risk for certain types of kidney problems.
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Canned Foods
Certain canned foods such as vegetables, beans, tuna, and vegetables usually contain large amounts of sodium.
Even though canned foods are extremely convenient and cost-effective, patients at risk for kidney problems should try to limit sodium intake as much as possible and hence avoid consumption of canned foods.
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Whole Wheat Bread
Whole wheat bread is usually preferred for its various health benefits over white bread.
However, whole wheat bread usually contains large amounts of phosphorus and potassium, which can negatively affect patients at risk for certain kidney problems. Therefore, patients wondering how to prevent kidney stones should avoid whole wheat bread.
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Brown Rice
Similar to whole wheat bread, even though brown rice is usually preferred over white rice due to its nutritional value, brown rice is usually made from whole grains which contain large amounts of potassium and phosphorus.
These increased levels could negatively affect patients at risk for kidney problems.
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4. How to Protect Kidney Damage: Importance of Cleanse
A cleanse or detoxification process is a short-term process that involves the removal of certain harmful chemicals and external toxins from the body.
Patients wondering how to reduce kidney damage may find it beneficial to undergo a kidney cleanse.
A kidney cleanse or detox has numerous different benefits that patients can take advantage of including improved kidney function and less bloating.
A kidney cleanse may also be able to help patients remove certain harmful chemicals and external toxins and hence reverse substantial amounts of kidney damage.
5. Effects of Kidney Damage:
- Fatigue and Weakness
- Dry, Itchy Skin
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Change in Urine Frequency and Volume
- Swelling in the feet, ankles and legs
- Chest Pain
- Hypertension
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Have more queries about kitten nutrition? Use our guides to the following topics for support:
1. Tea for liver and kidney health
2. Home remedy for kidney and liver detox
3. Benefits of watermelon seeds for kidney
4. Parsley benefits for kidney
6. Conclusion
Poor kidney health can lead to numerous different ailments and illnesses such as kidney stones, kidney cancer, and chronic kidney disease. Therefore, patients must prioritize maintaining good kidney health.
You may be asking yourself, “How to avoid kidney problems?” Patients can protect kidney health and prevent further kidney damage by regulating blood pressure levels, maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding being overweight, managing OTC drug usage, avoiding smoking, and managing blood sugar levels.
Furthermore, patients that are at higher risk for kidney problems and disease should avoid certain foods that increase sodium, phosphorus, and potassium levels such as avocados, canned food, whole wheat bread, and brown rice.
Patients may be able to identify kidney damage or poor kidney health through certain side effects such as fatigue and weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, hypertension, and more.
