 |
| pexels.com/Pixabay |
We Need Wellness - The kidney is an organ located under the rib cage of the human body. This organ is very important and needs to be taken care of. If the kidneys are damaged, then other organs will feel the effects.
One of the things that can damage the kidneys is the side effects of medications. Especially if taken too often or in high doses, then people who take these drugs will experience kidney pain.
According to reports from Herminahospitals, taking drugs too often, especially certain types of drugs, can have serious consequences for one's kidney health.
Although useful, it turns out that these five types of drugs can damage the kidneys if not taken properly:
1. Pain relievers
Painkillers are drugs that can increase the risk of kidney damage if taken inappropriately. According to Healthline, painkillers include aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, NSAIDs, and, of course, prescription opioids.
However, among the above categories of drugs, NSAIDs have the greatest risk of causing kidney damage. They can increase the risk of sudden kidney failure.
A 2019 study of more than 764,000 U.S. Army officers found that participants who were prescribed more than seven daily doses of NSAIDs per month had an increased likelihood of being diagnosed with acute or chronic kidney disease.
2. Antibiotics
Antibiotics are drugs that can treat bacterial infections in the body. According to GoodRx Health, common antibiotic drugs include gentamicin, tobramycin, and streptomycin.
Some antibiotics can damage kidney function, but this effect occurs when antibiotics are not used according to medical indications.
3. Laxatives
Laxatives are medicines used to relieve constipation and cleanse the bowels. They include bisacodyl (Dulcolax), senna (Senokot, Ex-Lax), docusate (Colace), and polyethylene glycol (Miralax).
If taken in excess, these drugs can cause kidney stones.
4. Antacid medications
Antacids are drugs used to prevent and treat heartburn and indigestion by reducing acid in the stomach, such as omeprazole (Prilosec) and esomeprazole (Nexium), famotidine (Pepcid), and calcium carbonate (Tums).
When taken in excess, these drugs can cause inflammation and irritation of the kidneys.
5. Traditional Medicine
Although considered safe, traditional medicines in the form of capsules or pills mixed with chemical drugs can cause kidney damage, especially if used excessively and without supervision.
Therefore, if you want to take medicine, pay attention to the use of taking it by looking for accurate information. This aims to avoid the arrival of diseases, one of which is kidney disease.
The ways to prevent kidney damage that can be done are:
a. Monitor kidney function regularly
As reported by the National Kidney Foundation, there are two ways that can be done to check kidney health, namely:
- Going directly to the doctor, the doctor will do 2 simple tests, namely urine tests and blood tests. A urine test called the creatinine to albumin ratio (ACR) checks for a protein called albumin in the urine. A blood test called glomerular filtration rate (GFR) shows how well your kidneys are working to remove waste from your body.
- Or the test can be done by taking an online quiz that takes only 1 minute to complete. The quiz is designed to determine if you have kidney disease. Here is the link to the quiz.
b. Drink plenty of fluids
Water is an important part of maintaining kidney health. The kidneys need water to remove toxins from the blood for elimination in the urine.
According to EMC.id, Adequate fluid intake helps the kidneys function properly and prevent damage.
Therefore, drink two liters of water a day, or the equivalent of eight glasses a day, to avoid dehydration and maintain kidney health.
c. Following the recommended dosage
It is important to always follow your doctor's instructions, especially when taking medications, because some medications can actually increase the risk of kidney damage, especially for people with a history of kidney disease.
d. Managing Blood Sugar
According to EMC.id, the best way to protect your kidneys is to manage blood sugar levels as best you can. A treatment plan may include dietary changes, exercise, and medications to lower blood sugar levels.
Here are some ways to keep blood glucose levels stable
- Exercise regularly
- Managing carbohydrate intake
- Eat foods high in fiber
- Drink plenty of water
- Manage stress well
Get enough and good quality sleep
The kidney is an organ that, if left unchecked, will affect other organs. Therefore, the kidneys need to be maintained for survival.
From now on, let's take care of your kidney health by following the prevention methods described above.
