Can dehydration harm your kidneys? Unfortunately, yes. Approximately 60-70% of your body weight is composed of water, so you require sufficient amounts of it for your body to function properly.
How Are Water and Kidney Health Related?
Water removes waste in the form of urine. It keeps blood vessels open so that the nutrients reach your kidneys.
When does dehydration take place? It occurs when your body is losing water from diarrhoea, sweating, diabetes, and drinking excessive alcohol.
Healthy kidneys enhance the filtration and removal of waste.
Here’s How Dehydration Harms Your Kidneys
Dehydration leads to problems like kidney stones.
Kidney stones are one of the most common kidney diseases caused when they don’t receive enough water. These stones are hard crystals of salts and minerals formed in the kidney, harming the urinary tract, further leading to pain while passing urine.
These kidney stones, regardless of their size, will try to pass through the urinary system and cause damage. This means the bigger stones will also do so, but they would be unable to pass through the urethra, resulting in severe pain.
Urinating unusually more, or less, vomiting, and nausea are some of the common signs of kidney disease.
Your kidneys will be forced to work extra hard to concentrate urine and retain as much water as possible.
Dehydration harms your kidneys in the following ways:
Decreased Filtering Efficiency
Dehydration makes it difficult for your kidneys to remove waste materials from the blood. As a result, toxins can accumulate in your body, affecting other organs, which can lead to problems.
Increasing the Risk of Kidney Disease
Dehydration for extended periods can put pressure on the kidneys, which can put your kidneys at risk. In the case of pre-existing kidney problems, dehydration can worsen the same.
Urinary Tract Infections
Dehydration can cause urinary tract infections (UTIs), a major kidney problem if left untreated. How to deal with it? Water cleanses the urinary tract of waste materials and stones. This reduces the chances of infections.
How Does the Kidney Benefit From Staying Hydrated?
Staying hydrated is a measure for kidney failure prevention. Sufficient water helps the kidneys filter waste, preventing it from building up in the kidneys and causing problems.
Water is important for people who have kidney problems and those who do not.
What to Do For Proper Hydration?
For starters, carry a water bottle or two with you at all times. This way, you will always be reminded to have water.
Not having enough water is one of the kidney damage causes that you should remember. Try to have as much water-rich food as possible, such as watermelon, cucumbers, and oranges.
Also, try to refrain from having too much alcohol and caffeine. Both can dehydrate your body. If you drink either or both, balance them out with extra water.
If you’re a fitness enthusiast, drink extra water to replace the fluids lost through sweat.
What Are the Hydration Myths?
There are several myths associated with kidneys and hydration. We’re here to bust them all:
Too Much Water Overwhelming the Kidneys
Some believe that drinking excessive water can put pressure on the kidneys. This isn’t true, as the kidneys can handle different amounts of water intake. Overhydration is a thing that people with health conditions have. Drinking water, but in moderation, is key.
Water Can be Substituted With Other Beverages
While there are liquids that help with hydration, water remains the best source. Having water as soon as you have caffeine and alcohol helps you lose water.
Hydration Has No Effect on Kidney Stones
This is wrong. Drinking enough water dilutes waste from the urine, reducing the likelihood of the stones coming back.
How to Avoid Kidney Problems?
Drinking an adequate amount of water regularly helps your kidneys stay safe from infections. However, maintaining kidney health requires more than just hydration, a balanced lifestyle, timely medical guidance, and awareness play a key role in prevention.
Some lifestyle tips to keep your kidneys are as follows:
Have a Balanced Diet
Water-rich food can work with water to keep your kidneys healthy, but including lean meats, fruits, and vegetables in your diet is not only good for your kidneys but also for your overall health.
Limiting Salt Consumption
Having too much salt can raise blood pressure and stress the kidneys. Try to limit having fast food and reduce the amount of salt you add to your home-cooked foods.
Regular Exercise
If you exercise regularly, you lower the risk of kidney problems by improving your blood circulation, not to mention helping you maintain a healthy weight.
Avoid Too Much Alcohol and Caffeine
These drinks should be enjoyed in moderation as they reduce the amount of water in your body. Don’t forget to balance caffeine or alcohol with water soon after you have them.
How Much Water Should You Drink?
Well, how much water you should drink daily depends on factors like age, health, and water conditions. To answer the question, though, men should have about 4 litres (15.5 cups) of water per day and women more than 3 litres (11.5 cups) per day.
Healthy body functioning needs more than 2 litres of water consumption.
Conclusion
The more water you have, the more your kidneys the safer they will be from problems. By carrying water bottles, having food items with water content, and setting reminders to have water, you can make the supply of water in your body consistent and adequate.
