By Dr. B. Praveen Revu 

Consultant Nephrologist, MedUnited Hospitals 

Your kidneys work quietly every day. They filter waste from your blood, regulate fluid and electrolytes, help control blood pressure, and support several important functions in the body. 

The concern is that kidney disease can develop gradually, and many people may not notice obvious symptoms until kidney function has already been affected. For example, CDC estimates from the United States indicate that more than 1 in 7 adults have chronic kidney disease and that many people with CKD are unaware they have it.  

This is why kidney health should not begin only when symptoms appear. 

In my practice as a nephrologist, one of the most important messages I give patients is simple: protecting your kidneys is not about one major change. It is about consistently making better everyday choices.

Here are 10 habits I recommend. 

Keep Yourself Adequately Hydrated 

Water is important for normal kidney function and urine production. Good hydration is particularly important for people who are prone to kidney stones because low urine volume can allow minerals and salts to become more concentrated. 

However, there is no single “8 glasses a day” rule that is appropriate for everyone. 

Your fluid requirement depends on factors such as your age, body size, activity level, climate, medical conditions and medications. People with advanced kidney disease, heart failure or certain other conditions may actually need fluid restrictions. 

For people with a history of kidney stones, increasing fluid intake to produce approximately 2–2.5 litres of urine per day has been studied as a strategy to reduce recurrence risk.  

My advice: Drink fluids regularly throughout the day, particularly in hot weather or when you are physically active, unless your doctor has advised you to restrict fluids.

Keep Blood Pressure Under Control 

High blood pressure is one of the major risk factors for kidney damage. At the same time, kidney disease itself can contribute to high blood pressure, creating a cycle that can accelerate kidney damage. 

Do not wait until you feel symptoms to check your blood pressure. Hypertension can exist without obvious warning signs. 

If you already have high blood pressure, take your prescribed medication consistently and attend follow-up appointments. 

For people with CKD, blood-pressure targets should be individualized according to the person’s overall health and tolerance; current KDIGO guidance emphasizes appropriate blood-pressure management as an important part of slowing kidney disease progression.

Take Diabetes Seriously 

Diabetes can gradually damage the small blood vessels and filtering structures inside the kidneys. This is why people with diabetes should not focus only on blood sugar readings but also on kidney health. 

Regular monitoring may include tests such as: 

• Serum creatinine and estimated GFR 

• Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio 

• Blood pressure 

• Blood glucose and HbA1c, as advised 

Good diabetes management can reduce the risk of complications affecting the kidneys. 

If you have diabetes, ask your doctor whether you are due for kidney-function and urine-albumin testing.

Reduce Excess Salt 

A high-sodium diet can contribute to high blood pressure, which in turn can put additional stress on the kidneys. 

A useful first step is to reduce the amount of added salt and pay attention to foods that are naturally or commercially high in sodium. 

Be particularly mindful of: 

• Pickles and salty chutneys 

• Papads 

• Packaged snacks 

• Processed foods 

• Instant foods 

• Salt-heavy restaurant meals 

For people with CKD, dietary sodium and other nutrients need to be individualized. KDIGO recommends a healthy, diverse diet and emphasizes that dietary modifications involving sodi

Maintain a Healthy Weight and Stay Physically Active 

A sedentary lifestyle and excess weight can increase the risk of conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, which are important risk factors for kidney disease. 

Regular physical activity supports overall cardiovascular and metabolic health. 

For people with CKD who are able to exercise safely, KDIGO recommends avoiding sedentary behaviour and encourages moderate-intensity physical activity, with a general goal of at least 150 minutes per week when appropriate for the individual’s health and physical tolerance.

You do not have to start with intense workouts. 

Walking regularly, staying active during the day and gradually increasing activity can be meaningful steps.

Do Not Take Painkillers Randomly 

This is one habit I particularly want patients to remember. 

Common painkillers belonging to the NSAID group, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can affect kidney blood flow and may increase the risk of kidney injury, particularly in people who already have kidney disease or are dehydrated. 

This does not mean that every person can never take these medicines. It means they should not be used casually or repeatedly without appropriate medical advice. 

The National Kidney Foundation specifically advises people with kidney disease to avoid potentially kidney-harming medicines such as NSAIDs unless their healthcare professional advises otherwise.  

Never assume that an over-the-counter medicine is automatically safe for your kidneys. 

Be Careful With Herbal and “Kidney Detox” Products 

“Natural” does not automatically mean “safe.” 

Unregulated supplements, herbal preparations and products marketed as kidney cleanses or detox treatments may contain ingredients that can interact with medicines or potentially affect kidney function. 

If you have kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension or are taking multiple medications, tell your doctor about all supplements and traditional or herbal preparations you use. 

Your kidneys already have an excellent filtration system. They do not need a commercial “detox” product to do their job.

Stop Smoking and Avoid Tobacco 

Smoking affects blood vessels throughout the body and contributes to cardiovascular disease. Since kidney health is closely linked to vascular health, quitting tobacco is an important part of protecting your overall health. 

If you smoke, do not think of quitting as something that is only about your lungs. 

Quitting tobacco is also an investment in your heart, blood vessels and kidneys. 

KDIGO recommends avoiding tobacco products as part of lifestyle management in CKD.  

Do Not Ignore Kidney Stones and Recurrent Urinary Problems 

A kidney stone should not always be treated as a one-time episode of pain. 

People who have experienced stones may be at risk of developing them again. The underlying cause, stone composition, dietary factors and hydration status can all matter. 

If you have recurrent stones, your doctor may recommend appropriate blood or urine testing to understand your risk factors and guide prevention. 

Likewise, recurrent urinary symptoms or infections should be evaluated rather than repeatedly self-treated. 

At MedUnited, the nephrology department provides care for conditions including kidney stones, CKD, AKI, nephritic and nephrotic syndromes and diabetic kidney disease.  

Know Your Kidney Numbers

Perhaps the most important habit is to know whether your kidneys are actually healthy. 

Kidney disease can be silent, especially in its earlier stages. 

Two important measures commonly used to assess kidney health are: 

eGFR: An estimate of how well the kidneys filter blood. 

Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR): Helps detect albumin leaking into the urine, which can be an early sign of kidney damage. 

The National Kidney Foundation identifies GFR and uACR as key measures of kidney health. 

People with diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, a family history of kidney disease, previous kidney injury or other risk factors may need periodic kidney assessment. 

The appropriate tests and frequency should be decided with your doctor.

What About Kidney Stones? 

Kidney stones deserve special attention because they are relatively common and can recur. 

One of the most important modifiable factors is maintaining adequate fluid intake. Low urine volume can increase the concentration of stone-forming substances. 

But prevention is not simply about drinking more water. 

The best dietary strategy can depend on the type of stone and the individual’s risk factors. In some patients, reducing sodium, adjusting dietary calcium, modifying animal-protein intake or making other dietary changes may be appropriate. 

So if you have had repeated kidney stones, I recommend discussing prevention with a doctor rather than relying only on generic internet advice.

When Should You See a Nephrologist? 

Please do not wait for severe symptoms before seeking medical advice if you have risk factors for kidney disease. 

Consider discussing kidney evaluation with your doctor if you have: 

• Diabetes 

• Persistent high blood pressure 

• Recurrent kidney stones 

• Blood or protein in the urine 

• Abnormal kidney-function tests 

• Swelling of the feet or face 

• Reduced urine output 

• Recurrent urinary problems 

• A history of acute kidney injury 

• A family history of kidney disease 

• Unexplained changes in kidney-related blood or urine tests 

Some symptoms can have many causes, so they should not automatically be assumed to mean kidney disease. Proper evaluation is important.

My Advice as a Nephrologist 

I often tell my patients that kidney health is built long before kidney failure becomes a concern. 

You do not need to make ten dramatic changes overnight. 

Start with the basics: 

Control your blood pressure. 

Manage diabetes well. 

Eat less salt.

Stay appropriately hydrated. 

Stay physically active. 

Avoid unnecessary medicines. 

Do not smoke. 

Do not ignore kidney stones. 

Get tested if you are at risk. 

Small decisions repeated every day can make a meaningful difference to long-term health. 

And most importantly, do not wait for symptoms to tell you that your kidneys need attention.

Kidney Care at MedUnited Hospitals 

At MedUnited Hospitals, nephrology care includes outpatient consultation and management for conditions such as chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, kidney stones, nephritic syndrome, nephrotic syndrome and diabetic kidney disease, along with inpatient care, dialysis support and diagnostic procedures including renal biopsy. 

Dr. B. Praveen Revu, Consultant Nephrologist, holds MBBS, MD and DM (Nephrology) qualifications. His listed areas of expertise include clinical nephrology, CKD and AKI, dialysis, renal transplantation, hypertension/renovascular disease, and nephrotic and nephritic syndromes. 

Patients looking for the Best Nephrologist in Amalapuram Palakollu or seeking Best Nephrology Services in Amalapuram Palakollu can consult the nephrology team at MedUnited Hospitals for kidney-related evaluation, advice and treatment.