ThankGod TG Omori Jesam, the Nigerian music video director, recently revealed his struggle with kidney disease, shedding light on the heavy financial and emotional toll of the condition.
The 30-year-old cinematographer said he spends about “N100,000 per dialysis session,” with treatments required at least three times a week, totaling “nearly N300,000 weekly”.
Beyond the staggering costs, kidney disease brings fatigue, lifestyle restrictions, and emotional strain, affecting not just patients but their loved ones.
Omori’s ordeal serves as a crucial reminder: preventing kidney damage is far easier and cheaper than treating it. Many everyday habits unknowingly harm kidney health, making awareness essential.
Without further ado, here are six habits that may damage your Kidneys and how to avoid them
- Excessive Salt Consumption
High salt intake is linked to several health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney damage. While the effect is widespread across the body, the kidneys are particularly vulnerable.
Excess salt makes it harder for the kidneys to regulate fluid levels, putting them under constant strain. Over time, this can lead to long-term damage and raise the risk of kidney disease.
Studies show that people who consume a lot of salt have a 29% higher chance of developing chronic kidney disease compared to those with lower salt intake.
- Not Drinking Enough Water
Staying hydrated is one of the simplest yet most important things you can do for your overall health.
Water helps the body function smoothly, and the kidneys, in particular, rely on it to work effectively.
When you don’t drink enough water, the kidneys struggle to flush out toxins and waste products effectively.
If dehydration becomes frequent or long-term, it can reduce kidney function and increase the risk of complications such as kidney stones and chronic kidney disease.
- Smoking And Alcohol
It’s no longer news that smoking comes with countless health risks and your kidneys are not spared. Beyond harming the lungs and heart, smoking has a direct negative impact on kidney health.
Smoking damages blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to the kidneys and makes it harder for them to function properly. It also raises the risk of kidney cancer and worsens conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, two major drivers of kidney disease.
In fact, research showed that smokers have about a 60% higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared to non-smokers.
Similarly, excessive alcohol intake also contributes to kidney damage.
A study found that people who drank more than 18 standard drinks per week had about a 66% higher risk of CKD compared to lighter drinkers. Over time, alcohol overuse can strain the kidneys, impair their filtering ability, and increase the risk of related complications.
- Poor Sleep Habits
Sleep is often underrated, yet inadequate rest can open the door to many health issues — kidney problems included.
Your body works on a natural 24-hour cycle, which typically includes seven to eight hours of sleep. This cycle helps regulate how your kidneys share their workload. When sleep is cut short or is of poor quality, it disrupts this rhythm and puts strain on the kidneys.
For example, insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar, drops when you don’t get enough sleep, leaving glucose levels elevated. Over time, high blood sugar can damage the kidneys and weaken their ability to function properly.
A 2014 research found that both too little (less than 7 hours) and too much sleep (more than 8 hours) raise CKD risk compared to a healthy sleep duration of 7–8 hours.
In other words, sleeping well isn’t just about rest, it’s about protecting your kidneys too.
- Sedentary Lifestyle
A sedentary lifestyle doesn’t just affect your weight or heart health, it also impacts your kidneys.
Being inactive is linked to conditions like high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes, all of which put extra strain on the kidneys.
On the other hand, regular physical activity improves blood flow, supports healthy kidney function, and has been shown to lower the risk of kidney disease over time. Even simple movements like walking, stretching, or light exercise can make a difference.
- Skipping Health Checkups
Kidney problems often develop quietly, without obvious symptoms in the early stages. Skipping routine health checks means issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, or early kidney damage can go unnoticed until they become severe.
Regular checkups help detect problems early, giving room for timely treatment and better protection of kidney health.
So, stay proactive with your health.
It might feel challenging to build these habits into your daily routine, but remember you’re doing it for yourself. Your health is your greatest wealth.
Alongside these tips, make a conscious effort to eat clean and nutritious foods, your kidneys, and your body as a whole, will thank you for it.
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