According to traditional Chinese medicine, the waist is considered the home of the kidneys. However, some people do not pay attention to their lifestyle habits. How many of the 5 bad habits that harm the kidneys have you fallen into? Today, we will share some kidney maintenance tips for male friends!
【How to Maintain the Kidneys】
1. Pay attention to keeping the waist warm.
The waist is the most vulnerable to cold. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the invasion of wind evil into the body is the greatest harm. Since the kidneys are located in the waist area, it is important to keep the waist warm on a daily basis to prevent kidney damage and maintain kidney function.
2. Control blood pressure.
In particular, the intima of the renal arteries in the elderly is prone to thickening, and high blood pressure can accelerate the progression of the disease. Therefore, it is important to take medication on time and engage in regular exercise to maintain a healthy body.
3. Drink plenty of water.
Water is one of the best health products and also beneficial for kidney health. Adequate hydration can lower the concentration of toxic substances in the kidneys, help eliminate waste products, and promote overall kidney health.
4. Exercise regularly.
Engaging in regular exercise in the morning can strengthen bones, improve physical fitness, and reduce the burden on the kidneys. For busy people, it is recommended to spend half an hour in the evening walking in the park, which is also a good way to maintain overall health.
【Location of the Kidneys】
The location of the kidneys: the right kidney is located opposite the second lumbar vertebra transverse process, the left kidney is located opposite the first lumbar vertebra transverse process, and the right kidney is slightly lower than the left kidney by 1-2 centimeters due to the relationship with the liver. The normal range of vertical movement of the kidneys is within 1-2 centimeters. The kidneys are located below the diaphragm, and during physical examination, the lower pole of the right kidney can be palpated below the rib margin, while the left kidney is not easily palpable.
The kidneys are located on both sides of the spine, close to the posterior wall of the abdomen, and behind the peritoneum. The upper end of the left kidney is level with the lower border of the 11th thoracic vertebra, and the lower end is level with the 2nd lumbar vertebra. The right kidney is half a vertebral body lower than the left kidney. The left 12th rib passes obliquely behind the middle part of the left kidney, and the right 12th rib passes obliquely behind the upper part of the right kidney.
In clinical practice, the area between the outer edge of the erector spinae muscle and the 12th rib is commonly referred to as the renal area (costovertebral angle). When the kidneys have lesions, palpation or percussion in this area often causes tenderness or pain.
【5 Bad Habits That Harm the Kidneys in Men】
1. Excessive use of painkillers.
Long-term or high-dose use of certain anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, etc., can easily cause kidney damage.
Kidney damage can manifest as fatigue, dry mouth and tongue, loss of appetite, frequent urination, urgency, painful urination, and even blood in the urine and aseptic pyuria, accompanied by joint pain and other symptoms. It can also directly cause acute nephritis or renal glomerular necrosis and other kidney disease syndromes. Severe cases can lead to renal failure and death.
2. Excessive use of certain Chinese herbal medicines.
In recent years, it has been discovered in clinical practice that the use of certain Chinese herbal medicines (including Chinese patent medicines) can cause kidney function damage. Chinese herbal medicines that can harm the kidneys include Thunder God Vine, Stephania tetrandra, Clematis chinensis, Solanum nigrum, Papaver shell, Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata, Fructus Sennae, Mosla chinensis, and Isatis indigotica. Among them, Thunder God Vine causes the greatest kidney damage, followed by Stephania tetrandra. The reason for the kidney damage caused by Stephania tetrandra is the presence of the nephrotoxic substance aristolochic acid.
3. Excessive eating and drinking.
Modern people have more opportunities to gather for meals and often consume excessive amounts of delicious food. The food ultimately produces waste products such as uric acid and urea nitrogen, most of which are excreted through the kidneys. Excessive eating and drinking undoubtedly increase the burden on the kidneys.
4. Holding urine for prolonged periods of time.
Some people hold their urine for a long time due to busy work. Experts from Beijing Shuguang Hospital remind male friends that if urine stays in the bladder for too long, it is easy for bacteria to grow, and the bacteria can travel up the ureters to the kidneys, causing urinary tract infections and pyelonephritis. Once these infections recur, they can lead to chronic infections that are difficult to cure. Patients may experience symptoms such as lumbago and frequent urination and develop acute uremia.
5. Inadequate water intake.
If you do not drink water for a long time, the urine volume will decrease and the concentration of waste products and toxins in the urine will increase. Common kidney problems such as kidney stones and hydronephrosis are closely related to prolonged periods of inadequate water intake. Drinking sufficient water can dilute the urine, protect the kidneys, and help fully eliminate waste products and toxins.
