Our dietary and lifestyle changes affect our mental, heart, and digestive health, as well as our entire body. However, we often forget about the importance of our kidneys, which can become seriously damaged, and thus lead to severe side-effects and disease.

Namely, the function of the kidneys is to filter our blood and eliminate waste, dead cells, excess water, and toxins, that are excreted through the urine.

According to HealthLine:

“Kidney disease affects approximately 26 million American adults. It occurs when your kidneys become damaged and can’t perform their function. Damage may be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure, and various other chronic (long-term) conditions. Kidney disease can lead to other health problems, including weak bones, nerve damage, and malnutrition.”

The Mayo Clinic lists the following risk factors for chronic kidney disease:

Diabetes

High blood pressure

Heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease

Smoking

Obesity

Being African-American, Native American or Asian-American

Family history of kidney disease

Abnormal kidney structure

Older age

Additionally, make sure you know the most common early signs and symptoms of chronic kidney disease:

Loss of appetite

Fatigue and weakness

Sleep issues

Nausea

Vomiting

Changes in how much you urinate

Reduced mental sharpness

Muscle twitches and cramps

Swelling of feet and ankles

Persistent itching

High blood pressure (hypertension)

Chest pain

Shortness of breath

In case you experience these symptoms, and in order to improve the function of the kidneys and avoid complications, you should avoid the following 10 most detrimental habits that damage your kidneys:

-- Dehydration- If you are not drinking enough water, the function of the kidneys will be significantly reduced, leading to kidney stones and chronic kidney disease. According to Dr. M R Pari, consultant urologist, Fortis Malar, “Kidney stones are the result of an accumulation of dissolved minerals in the inner lining of the kidneys. According to research, people with kidney stones have a significantly higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease that can even lead to diabetes and hypertension. Drinking enough water helps to wash away the accumulated salts, which are likely to turn to stones at a later stage. ”

-- Smoking – Smoking has been found to drastically reduce the function of the kidneys

-- Too much protein- A diet very high in protein can lead to renal hyperfiltration, in case you already suffer from chronic kidney disease

-- Too much sugar- High sugar amounts can seriously damage the kidneys

--  Soft drinks- the kidneys can suffer a lot from the consumption of soft drinks, like fructose-glucose-rich soda, and the additives in diet soda damage these organs and increase the risk of chronic kidney disease

-- Painkillers- Studies have found that the long-term use of painkillers double the risk of kidney cancer

-- Over the counter medications- Drugs like ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen have been shown to damage the kidneys

-- Magnesium deficiency- Magnesium deficiency can lead to the formation of kidney stones and kidney damage

-- Extreme exercise- Extreme exercise habits can seriously damage the kidneys, so you need to speak with a medical practitioner about the safety of your workout routine

-- Poor sleep- It has been linked to renal hyperfiltration, which is an early warning sign of kidney disease

Therefore, regarding the huge importance of the function of the kidneys for our overall health, make sure you take all the needed steps to ensure their health.