Doctors point out 10 nighttime mistakes that wreak havoc on kidney function

Nephrologist Hong Yong-xiang (China) shared on his personal Facebook that many people think that if they are young and have a habit of exercising, it will be difficult for them to get kidney diseases. However, the decline in kidney function usually does not happen overnight, but is the result of the accumulation of wrong living habits over many years.

He compiled the “Ranking of 10 kidney-damaging behaviors before going to bed” to remind people to check their daily activities.

Ranking of habits that harm the kidneys

Doctor Hong Yong-xiang pointed out that the 10th to 6th positions in the rankings are:

• 10th place: Burn scented candles or cheap incense rings in enclosed spaces.
• 9th place: Hold your urine before going to bed.
• 8th place: Turn on the air conditioner too cold.
• 7th place: Take a cold shower.
• 6th place: Do not replenish water after intense exercise.

In particular, if you sweat a lot after vigorous exercise without replenishing water, it can cause dehydration, and in severe cases, it can even lead to rhabdomyolysis, increasing the risk of acute kidney injury.

Positions from 5th to 2nd include:

• 5th place: Use phones or electronic devices for a long time before going to bed.
• 4th place: Drink large amounts of water or drink strong tea or coffee in a short period of time.
• 3rd place: Eat a lot of salt at night.
• 2nd place: Drink alcohol to help you sleep.

Dr. Hong Yong-xiang warns that these habits can affect sleep quality, while increasing blood pressure or metabolic burden, and in the long term there is a risk of increasing chronic kidney disease.

In particular, dishes containing high amounts of sodium such as fried chicken with salt and chili, instant noodles, and braised foods can increase proteinuria and accelerate the process of kidney function decline. Drinking a large amount of water in a short time before going to bed can easily increase the amount of urine at night, causing you to have to get up to urinate many times, thereby disrupting your sleep structure.

“The Culprit” topped the charts

As for the number 1 position in the rankings, it is the arbitrary use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen…

Doctor Hong Yong-xiang said that many people have the habit of taking painkillers before going to bed due to headaches or joint pain. However, this group of drugs will inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, leading to constriction of renal blood vessels and a sudden decrease in blood flow to the kidneys.

If it is accompanied by dehydration, advanced age or you have chronic kidney disease, this behavior can easily lead to acute kidney failure. As KDIGO’s acute kidney injury guidelines clearly point out, NSAIDs are one of the main risk factors for causing drug-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in clinical practice.