OH! YOU WANT A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT

 

Alright, I know you may be wondering why I am asking you whether you want a kidney transplant? But the question still holds; do you really want a kidney transplant? Did you just say No! but why are you living like you want it? Okay relax, all that I am saying is there are some of your habits and lifestyle choices that affect your kidneys so bad which may progress to kidney disease and may even get to a point where your only option will be to have a kidney transplant. Maybe you do not know how serious kidney disease is and its implications on the body. So let me take you through some statistics about kidney failure for you to know; In 2019, kidney disease accounted for 254,028 total deaths, 131,008 deaths in men and 123,020 deaths in women. An estimated 1 million people worldwide die from untreated kidney failure each year. This is a clear indication that kidney disease is not something one should joke with. Let us talk about the common habits that may harm your kidneys.

1. TAKING TOO MUCH PROTEIN

Protein is a food nutrient that is needed for growth and repair of worn-out body cells and tissues. Despite its important function, taking too much of it can be very toxic to your kidneys. The waste product of protein digestion is uric acid which is harmful to the body and must be excreted. The kidneys filter all the uric acid from the blood. Taking too much protein can produce more uric acid in the blood which will put more pressure on the kidneys in an attempt to filter them from the blood. It may later damage your kidneys if this habit persists. Therefore, the amount of protein in a diet should be well balanced with fruits and vegetables.

2. TAKING TOO MUCH ALCOHOL

Excessive alcohol intake has also been linked to the causes of kidney disease. More than 4 drinks a day has been found to double the risk of chronic kidney disease. Alcohol should be taking in moderation or be totally avoided.

3. NOT BEING HYDRATED

Drinking enough water helps your kidneys to filter all waste and toxins from the body. Being dehydrated prevents your kidneys from working effectively and damages your kidneys. A healthy individual must drink at least 1.5- 2 litres of water daily.

4. EXCESSIVE SALT INTAKE

The influence of salt on blood pressure is a matter we can not do away with when talking about kidney damage. Salt is high in sodium which also increases the blood pressure. The more salt you take the more your blood pressure is likely to rise. If the pressure within the blood flowing to the kidneys is high, there is a high tendency of damage to the cells of the kidneys. Limit salt intake and avoid adding salt to an already prepared diet at the table.

5. ABUSING PAIN KILLERS (ANALGESICS)

The regular use of over-the-counter medications for pain such as aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen can damage your kidneys. That does not mean you should not take it but always seek for the advice of your physician before taking them.

6. TAKING TOO MUCH SUGAR

Sugar should be taken in considerable amount including processed sugars. People who take in excess amounts of sugar are likely to develop obesity. Being obese also increases your tendency of suffering from hypertension which could damage your renal cells. Aside that, too much sugar is also a risk factor for diabetes which is one of the leading causes of kidney disease. Avoid taking a lot of food and drinks high in processed sugars. This could help limit your chances of getting kidney disease.

7. SMOKING/VAPING

Smoking does not only affect your lungs and heart but also affect other organs like the kidneys. All tobacco products contain nicotine that can cause vasoconstriction that will slow down blood flow to the kidneys and cause kidney problems. People who smoke are more likely to have protein in their urine which is a sign of kidney damage. Therefore, smoking should be avoided.

The common complications of kidney disease include anaemia, gout, heart disease, bone disease and death. Kidney disease is a serious condition which much attention should be paid to. However, you can prevent it if you stop any of the above-mentioned habits and more. Thank you for making it this far. Go and be a doer of the word.

REFERENCES

1.     "10 common habits that may harm your kidneys" (2016) www.kidney.org

2.     PAHO. The burden of kidney diseases in the Region of the Americas, 2000-2019. Pan American Health Organization. 2021