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Maintain kidney health by being “water-wise.” This includes drinking the right amount of water for you. A popular misconception is that everyone should drink eight glasses of water a day; However, since everyone is unique, daily water requirements will vary. The amount of water required varies depending on age, climate, intensity of activity, pregnancy, lactation and illness.
Dr. Prakash Chandra Shetty, Urologist, Dr. LH Hiranandani Hospital, Powai, Mumbai says, “Water makes up 60-70% of your body weight and is essential for every component in your body to function effectively. Water helps the kidneys remove waste. Your blood. from in the form of urine. Water also helps keep your blood vessels open, allowing blood to flow freely to your kidneys and providing them with vital nutrients.”
However, “if you become dehydrated, this delivery method will work less effectively. Mild dehydration can cause fatigue and interfere with normal bodily processes. Severe dehydration can damage the kidneys, so consume large amounts during work or strenuous exercise.” Drink fluids, especially in hot and humid weather”, adds Dr. Prakash.
Drink enough water and tips to keep your kidneys healthy
Here are strategies listed by urologists to ensure you drink enough water and keep your kidneys healthy:
1. It is possible to drink too much water
Although it is uncommon in the general population, endurance athletes such as marathon runners may drink large amounts of water, lowering their blood salt levels and causing a serious condition known as hyponatremia.
2. Water helps prevent kidney stones and UTIs
Kidney stones and urinary tract infections (UTIs) are two common medical conditions that can damage the kidneys and require proper hydration. Kidney stones form less easily if there is enough water to hold the crystals together.
Water helps break down antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections, making them more effective. Drinking plenty of water also stimulates urine production, which helps flush out infection-causing bacteria.
3. When it comes to renal failure (also known as end-stage kidney disease), less is more
When the kidneys fail, people don’t excrete enough water, if any at all. Water consumption should be strictly limited for dialysis patients.
4. Your urine can indicate a great deal
For the average person, “water wise” means drinking enough water or other healthy fluids, such as unsweetened juice or low-fat milk, to quench thirst and keep urine light yellow or colorless. When your urine is dark yellow, it means you are dehydrated. You should produce about 1.5 liters of urine.
Staying hydrated helps dilute uric acid and increases its elimination through urine. Adequate water intake ensures that the kidneys function adequately, efficiently removing waste products such as uric acid from the body.
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