When you think of your kidneys, you might think about filtering your blood. You probably don’t usually think of them as a disease site, but that’s precisely what happens in people with chronic kidney disease. If you are among the millions of people with chronic kidney disease, you know it is no laughing matter. But perhaps not everyone realizes the severity of this condition. If left untreated, CKD can devastate your body and mind. Prolonged kidney disease usually nearly leads to death without intervention or care. Fortunately, we can take measures to slow down its progression and improve our quality of life until we find a cure. 

Let’s take a look at some common causes of chronic kidney disease and how you can avoid them if you already have it—or catch it early enough if you don’t yet know if you do.

• Chronic kidney disease can be asymptomatic in its early stages.
• Drinking too much coffee can strain the kidneys.
• High-sugar diets can indirectly harm the kidneys by increasing the risk of diabetes.
• Overuse of certain herbal supplements can lead to kidney damage.
• Chronic kidney disease can lead to cardiovascular problems.
• Dehydration is a common cause of kidney stones.
• Kidney disease can cause electrolyte imbalances, affecting muscle function.
• Regular screening is crucial for early detection of kidney issues

The sooner we identify the symptoms and begin treatment or management strategies to maintain healthy kidney function, the better we will be to thrive with this condition for as long as possible. However, you must know that prevention is better than an antidote. Especially if you catch kidney disease earlier, it is possible to bring the kidneys back to normal by following a proper diet and lifestyle. The advice of a dietitian in this regard can play a significant role in the health of the kidneys. 

More than 850 million individuals worldwide are affected by renal disease, according to a recent study. Kidney illness is estimated to affect more than 850 million people globally, which is almost double the number of diabetics (422 million) and 20 times the number of persons living with AIDS/HIV worldwide (42 million) (36.7 million). The bad news is that if kidney disease takes on a complex shape, its medical cost is much higher.

One of the primary reasons for kidney damage is urinary retention. Holding urine causes pressure on the kidney—the habit of long-term urinary retention damages the kidneys. 

If we don’t drink the water we should drink daily, we could damage our kidneys. The kidney’s primary function is to excrete waste material from the body. But if we don’t take enough water, toxic wastes get deposited into the blood, which the kidneys cannot eliminate. 

Some research shows that one of the primary reasons for kidney damage is diabetes. People who have high diabetes initially don’t notice kidney damage. Diabetic patients should see if they have breathing problems, frequent urination, anemia, distaste, face and body swelling, water retention in the body, and memory loss. 

High blood pressure can be another reason for kidney disease. Harm to the heart and blood vessels is associated with excessive blood pressure. High blood pressure damages the kidneys over 10 to 15 years. But, if it’s too much uncontrolled high blood pressure, it can damage the kidney within a few weeks or months.  

When you are doing excessive physical activities, your muscles get broken. Those broken muscles get mixed with blood and flow to the kidney. But the kidney cannot eliminate that flow. As a result, the kidney gets damaged. 

Foods that contain too much protein can be a reason for kidney harm. Excessive protein in food charts can damage the kidney. 

Excessive salt or sodium is another reason for kidney disease. When we intake too much salt, the kidney has to remain so busy to process that sodium. It causes too much pressure on the kidney. A person should not intake more than 5.8 gm of salt daily.  

Drinking soft drinks has become a part of our daily food habits. But these drinks are high in caffeine and contribute to raised blood pressure that may cause pressure on the kidney and damage the kidney. 

There is terrible news for those taking painkillers in a bit of pain! Painkillers are harmful to the kidney and many other organs. Some research shows that depending on painkillers for a long time can decrease the kidney’s efficiency.

According to the American Center for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking is hazardous to the kidneys and the rest of the body. Additionally, much research has shown that smoking directly connects to kidney damage.

Lack of sleep is another reason for kidney diseases. The health of your kidneys depends on a good night’s sleep. One research shows that long-term sleep disturbance is a reason for kidney disease. Our kidney tissues generate in our sleep, so sleep disturbance can be a reason for kidney disease. Make sure to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

Check your kidneys often if you have hypertension or diabetes or a family medical history of renal disease. If the kidney is damaged, delay-treatment can increase the damage.

Having chronic kidney disease is a big problem in the world today. According to the NIDDK, around 28 million people have this disease worldwide. The exact causes of kidney disease are not known. This calls for the need for thorough precautionary measures in terms of diet and lifestyle.

The kidneys are the organs in our body responsible for removing wastes and regulating the body’s fluid and mineral balances. They also help produce hormones and blood proteins and help blood clot. Kidneys are vital organs in your abdomen. They filter waste and excess fluid from the body and regulate blood pressure, and can also help regulate blood sugar levels. 

The kidneys work best when they are functioning at peak capacity. If your kidneys are not working at their best, you might be at risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Moreover, if your kidneys do not function properly, it might prove harmful for other vital organs of the body. This article must have helped you understand more about the causes of chronic kidney disease and how you can prevent it.