Decline in Kidney Function (Summary)

Decline in Kidney Function (Summary)

What is a decline in kidney function?
A decline in kidney function means the kidneys’ ability to filter waste, balance electrolytes, and regulate body fluids is reduced. This usually indicates that the kidneys have been damaged. In severe cases, it can progress to uremia, which is life-threatening.

Main Causes and Risk Factors:

1. Harmful Substances:

   • Medications: Long-term or excessive use of certain Western medicines (e.g., painkillers like aspirin) and Chinese herbs (e.g., Mu Tong, which may contain aristolochic acid).

   • Food Additives: Excessive intake of potassium bromate (often found in overly soft bread) can be harmful to the kidneys.

2. Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits:

   • Drinking Too Little Water: Leads to highly concentrated urine, increasing the risk of kidney stones and hydronephrosis.

   • Frequently Holding Urine: Can easily cause urinary tract infections and pyelonephritis.

   • Improper Diet: Overeating and a diet high in salt increase the burden on the kidneys, raise blood pressure, and impair renal blood flow.

   • Excessive Beverage Consumption: The acidity of soft drinks and sports drinks adds to the kidneys’ workload in regulating acid-base balance.

   • Drinking Strong Tea After Alcohol: Causes unprocessed alcohol to directly stimulate and damage the kidneys.

Key Message
Although kidney function naturally declines with age, many unhealthy lifestyle habits are a major cause of premature kidney damage. Protecting your kidneys requires being vigilant about and changing these harmful behaviors.