Your kidneys could be damaged if you take large amounts of over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin, naproxen and ibuprofen. None of these medicines should be taken daily or regularly without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Many medicines can cause acute kidney injury (which used to be called acute renal failure), such as: Antibiotics. These include aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, amphotericin B, bacitracin, and vancomycin. Some blood pressure medicines.
Diuretics. Doctors use these medicines, also known as water pills, to treat high blood pressure and some kinds of swelling. They help your body get rid of extra fluid. But they can sometimes dehydrate you, which can be bad for your kidneys.
ACE inhibitors and ARBs are two types of blood pressure medicine that may slow the loss of kidney function and delay kidney failure.
Cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, platinum, and uranium are all nephrotoxic.
When your kidneys are failing, a high concentration and accumulation of substances lead to brown, red, or purple urine. Studies suggest the urine color is due to abnormal protein or sugar as well as high numbers of cellular casts and red and white blood cells.
Paracetamol poisoning associated with renal impairment is rare, and it is mostly associated with hepatotoxicity. Most patients with acute renal impairment show a pattern of acute tubular necrosis or injury based on their blood, clinical presentation, and imaging.
Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney disease. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. But also heart disease and obesity can contribute to the damage that causes kidneys to fail. Urinary tract issues and inflammation in different parts of the kidney can also lead to long-term functional decline.
Acetaminophen. Taking acetaminophen in excess is the leading cause of drug-induced liver injury.
Opiate overdose can lead to rhabdomyolysis, which can amplify the risks of kidney damage. Many opiate drugs also contain acetaminophen (e.g., Vicodin and Percocet). Taking large doses of acetaminophen or chronic use of acetaminophen can be associated with liver damage, which can affect kidney functioning.
While plain water is the best drink for your kidneys, other fluids are perfectly acceptable, including coffee, green tea, low-potassium juices, and infused water. Avoid sweetened, carbonated beverages and coconut water.
Beets and their juices contain Betaine which increases urine acidity, prevents build-up of struvite and calcium phosphate and reduces the chances of kidney stone formation. Other effective cleansing agents are coconut water, cucumber juice and cherries.
Healthy options for kidney disease are protein, egg whites, fish, unsaturated fats, fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, apple juice, grape and cranberry juice, light colored soda. The amount of protein intake per day varies depending on the stage of kidney disease.
The Worst Foods for Your Kidneys
Bananas: Like avocados, bananas are high in potassium — in fact, they're famous for their potassium content. Though bananas are low in sodium, it is still best to avoid making them a daily staple if you're concerned about kidney health.
Medications such as ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®), or acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin®) are unsafe for your kidneys. They can also increase blood pressure, increase risk of heart attack and stroke and cause stomach ulcers and bleeding.
Special renal vitamins are usually prescribed to kidney patients to provide the extra water soluble vitamins needed. Renal vitamins contain vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin and a small dose of vitamin C.