Table of contents:
- Abstinence when kidney disease
- 1. Excessive use of painkillers
- 2. Consume too much salt
- 3. Eat processed foods
- 4. A diet high in protein
- 5. Lack of sleep
- 6. Smoking
- 7. Drinking alcohol excessively
- 8. Not drinking too much
One of the things that people with kidney disease need to do is change their lifestyle and diet to be healthier. This is so that the kidneys don't work too hard and the body's condition doesn't get worse. So, what are the taboos that people with kidney disease need to avoid?
Abstinence when kidney disease
Reporting from NYU Langone Health, doctors not only provide drugs to treat kidney disease, but also recommend lifestyle changes. A healthier lifestyle is done to treat symptoms of kidney disease and prevent the risk of complications.
Therefore, recognizing what taboos need to be avoided when kidney disease turns out to be necessary for a better quality of life. The following are things that you should reduce or not do so that kidney health does not worsen.
1. Excessive use of painkillers
One of the taboos that sufferers of kidney disease need to avoid is excessive use of painkillers. Types of painkillers (analgesics) such as NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory drugs) can indeed reduce pain. However, this drug can actually worsen the condition of your kidneys.
Excessive consumption of analgesic drugs, such as ibuprofen, can actually reduce kidney function and reduce blood flow to the kidneys. If continued for a long time, the risk of chronic kidney failure increases. There is generally a label warning that over-the-counter analgesic drugs should not be used for more than 10 days.
If you can't get away from analgesics, it's best to consult a doctor. Thus, the doctor can tell what drugs need to be consumed so that the kidney condition does not worsen.
2. Consume too much salt
The kidney organ functions to remove excess fluid and waste through urine so that it can filter the blood properly. The job apparently requires a balance of sodium and potassium to pull water across the walls from the bloodstream to the collecting ducts of the kidneys.
If people with kidney disease consume too much salt, this balance can be damaged and kidney function will decrease. This is what makes a diet high in salt one of the taboos that people with kidney disease need to avoid.
In addition, excessive salt intake also risks forming kidney stones and making the kidneys work harder. Instead of getting better, a diet high in salt only worsens kidney function which may increase the risk of complications.
3. Eat processed foods
Refined food enthusiasts who suffer from kidney disease may need to exercise restraint. This is because the consumption of processed foods is also a taboo for people with kidney disease because they contain high phosphorus and sodium.
The kidneys work to help the body regulate phosphorus levels in the blood by removing excess phosphorus levels. In the damaged kidney, it turns out that there is excess phosphorus in the blood. This in turn can weaken the bones and stiff blood vessels due to the buildup of phosphorus.
Here are some types of foods that contain phosphorus and sodium that people with kidney disease need to avoid.
- Milk and dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, cheese, ice cream, pudding containing milk.
- Soy milk.
- Wheat, such as whole wheat bread, cereals, pasta.
- Processed meats, such as sausages, meat patty .
- Nuts.
- Chocolate, including chocolate drinks.
- Soft drink.
4. A diet high in protein
Protein is one of the main nutrients that make up food and is commonly found in meat, nuts, and milk. The body does need protein to build muscle, red blood cells, and hormones. However, people with kidney disease need to reduce protein consumption so that they are not too much.
This prohibition against kidney disease can actually make the already problematic kidney condition worse. As a result, protein waste cannot be filtered out optimally and it is burdensome for the kidneys.
This is what makes people with kidney disorders need to limit protein consumption or change the food sources of protein that are usually eaten.
Don't forget to discuss this issue with your doctor or nutritionist to find out how much and what protein sources should be consumed.
5. Lack of sleep
Did you know that lack of sleep can reduce kidney function? In fact, research published in World Journal of Nephrology demonstrated that sleep disturbances impact overall kidney function.
Basically the work of the kidneys is regulated by the sleep and wake cycle of the owner. This helps control the workload of the kidneys that lasts more than 24 hours. If a person does not get enough sleep, the decline in kidney function occurs more quickly, especially in people with kidney disease.
The longer you are awake, the less time your kidneys will have to rest. As a result, the kidneys overwork and worsen the previous condition. Therefore, lack of sleep is taboo for people with kidney disease because it has a big effect on decreased kidney function.
6. Smoking
It is no secret that smoking is harmful to health, including kidney function. There are several factors that make smoking a taboo when experiencing kidney disease.
- Affects drugs used to treat hypertension
- Slows blood flow to important organs, especially the kidneys
It's never too late to cut down to quit smoking for the survival of yourself and those around you.
7. Drinking alcohol excessively
On certain days, healthy kidneys will work harder than usual, but are still within normal limits. However, not for alcohol drinkers who suffer from kidney disease. People categorized as heavy drinkers were those who drank alcohol more than seven to 14 times a week.
If this habit is maintained, the already problematic kidney condition can certainly worsen. The reason is, the body that contains high alcohol levels can cause the kidneys to lose their function. The kidneys also not only have to filter the blood, but also maintain a balance of water levels in the body.
Meanwhile, alcohol has affected the ability of kidney function and a drying effect on the function of cells and kidney organs. In fact, consuming too much alcohol can also increase blood pressure and adversely affect people who also use drugs to control blood pressure.
8. Not drinking too much
Meeting daily fluid needs is good, but for people with kidney disease, drinking too much can be a taboo that is detrimental to their kidneys. Why is that?
The damaged kidneys are no longer able to filter out the excess fluid in the body. If there is too much fluid in the body, it can cause high blood pressure, swelling, and heart failure. Excess fluid in the body can also surround your lungs and make it difficult for you to breathe.
Therefore, you need to ask the doctor how much fluid needs to be met each day. The amount of fluid your body needs depends on the severity of your kidney disease.