Nowadays, various kidney-tonifying advertisements flood newspaper pages and streets. Under the aggressive advertising campaigns of "Men need to step up" and "Kidney-tonifying masterpieces," men who are under increasing work pressure and a faster life rhythm always feel that they have "kidney deficiency." But in reality, what are the reasons for this condition? Below, I will give everyone a detailed summary of several kidney-damaging culprits.
1. Abuse of painkillers:
Long-term use or large doses of some anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, such as analgesic tablets, indomethacin, acetaminophen, aspirin, etc., can easily cause kidney damage.
Kidney damage can manifest as: fatigue, dry mouth, loss of appetite, frequent urination, urgent urination, painful urination, and even hematuria and sterile pyuria, accompanied by joint pain symptoms. Some may directly cause acute nephritis or glomerular necrosis syndrome, and severe cases can lead to renal failure and death.
2. Overuse of certain Chinese herbs:
In recent years, clinical studies have continuously found that taking certain Chinese herbs (including patent medicines) can cause renal impairment. Chinese herbs that can "damage kidneys" include Tripterygium wilfordii, Aristolochia manshuriensis, Pharbitis nil, Xanthium sibiricum, opium poppy shell, Aconitum carmichaeli, Quisqualis indica, Zanthoxylum planispinum, Stephania tetrandra, etc. Among them, Tripterygium wilfordii causes the most significant kidney damage, followed by Aristolochia manshuriensis. The reason Aristolochia manshuriensis harms the kidneys is due to its content of nephrotoxic aristolochic acid.
3. Binge eating:
Modern people have more opportunities for gatherings, often consuming excessive amounts of "delicious food." The food ultimately produces waste products—uric acid and urea nitrogen. Most of these wastes are excreted through the kidneys, and overeating undoubtedly increases the burden on the kidneys.
4. Holding urine frequently:
Some people hold their urine for long periods due to being busy with work. Urine staying too long in the bladder easily breeds bacteria, which can travel up the ureter to the kidneys, causing urinary tract infections and pyelonephritis. If these infections recur, they can lead to chronic infections that are difficult to cure. Patients not only experience symptoms such as backache, frequent urination, and urgent urination but may also develop into acute uremia.
5. Drinking too little water:
If you don't drink water for a long time, the amount of urine will decrease, and the concentration of waste and toxins in the urine will increase. Clinically common conditions like kidney stones and hydronephrosis are closely related to not drinking water for long periods. Drinking enough water can dilute urine, protect the kidneys, and help fully excrete waste and toxins.
6. Excessive consumption of beverages:
Overconsumption of soft drinks and sports drinks can indirectly damage the kidneys. The pH level in the human body is 7.2, while these drinks are generally highly acidic, significantly altering the body's pH after consumption. The kidneys are the main organs regulating the body's pH levels, and long-term overconsumption of soft drinks and sports drinks can burden the kidneys, increasing the probability of kidney damage.
7. Eating overly soft bread:
A food additive called potassium bromate is present in bread and pastries. It provides the necessary gluten strength and elasticity for baked goods, making them taste soft. However, excessive consumption can harm the central nervous system, blood, and kidneys. The International Cancer Research Institute has listed it as a carcinogen.
8. Drinking strong tea after alcohol:
Some people believe that drinking strong tea after alcohol can sober them up, but this is not only ineffective but also harmful to the kidneys. The theobromine in tea can quickly affect the kidneys and exert a diuretic effect. At this point, alcohol has not yet been fully decomposed but is expelled from the kidneys, causing the kidneys to be stimulated by large amounts of ethanol, thereby damaging kidney function.
9. Men should drink tea to protect liver and kidneys:
10. Too salty diet:
A diet that is too salty, especially certain snacks with excessively high salt content, such as fried potato chips, instant noodles, etc., can make people unconsciously absorb excessive salt, leading to elevated blood pressure, inability of kidney blood to maintain normal flow, and thus inducing kidney disease.
Published blog post "Comprehensive Guide to Healthy Foot Soaking at Night" http://sinaurl.cn/h9F9d ... http://sinaurl.cn/h9F9g
February 3, 2010