The 28-year-old female patient caused doctors to be shocked when her Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) was found to be extremely low. Her kidney function was even equivalent to that of an 80-year-old.
Recently, Dr. Hong Yongxiang (a nephrologist in Taiwan, China) shared an impressive case on the show ‘Doctor is Hot.’
It involved a 28-year-old female patient who, during a medical check-up, had an extremely low Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR), equivalent to that of an 80-year-old.
Dr. Hong mentioned that this patient did not have a history of diabetes, hypertension, nor did she use any traditional Chinese medicine or dietary supplements. Until one conversation with the doctor, the woman revealed that she had been continuously taking diuretics for many years to lose weight.
The patient shared that years ago, she was advised by a friend to take diuretics to lose weight. After taking the medication, she would excrete 3 liters of water, resulting in an immediate loss of 3 kilograms. Seeing the good results, she continued to use them for many years, severely compromising her kidney function.
According to Dr. Hong Yongxiang, diuretics cause water loss, electrolyte imbalance, and pH changes in the body. Overuse of this type of medication can lead to low blood pressure causing dizziness, blurred vision, fainting, or even coma. The doctor emphasized that diuretics are medications that should be used according to a doctor’s prescription, specifically for people with heart failure, high blood pressure, or edema.
If someone wants to lose weight, it is better to visit a nutrition specialist to have a proper nutrition plan and exercise regimen that promotes weight loss without compromising health.
For the aforementioned female patient, Dr. Hong advised her to discontinue diuretics and prescribed kidney-protective medications. After three months, the woman’s kidney function had improved.
3 Habits That Are “Damaging” to Your Kidneys and Common Among Young People
- Holding Urination Too Long
The kidneys prefer a clean environment, and holding urine for too long can be harmful to them.
When someone holds their urine, the pressure in the bladder increases, causing the backward flow of urine into the ureters (the tubes connecting the kidneys and bladder). It also increases pressure on the kidneys, causing damage.
In addition to regular urination, it’s necessary to drink plenty of water to allow the kidneys to produce enough urine, enhancing the body’s detoxification. An average person should drink about 1.5-2 liters of water per day.
- High Salt Intake
Consuming a diet high in salt can increase protein excretion in the urine, leading to water and sodium retention, affecting the kidney’s filtration ability. An overly salty diet can also impact blood pressure, adding stress to the kidneys.
Moreover, excessive salt intake increases the risk of high blood pressure and related cardiovascular diseases, especially stroke and coronary artery disease. It also contributes to water retention and edema, particularly in patients with heart failure and liver cirrhosis.
- Drinking a Lot of Carbonated Water
Young people often enjoy carbonated beverages, but these drinks can seriously harm the kidneys.
Carbonated drinks often contain coloring agents, chemical sugars, various additives, preservatives… While the kidneys are responsible for filtering harmful substances from the body, these substances can cause damage to the kidneys, increasing the risk of kidney stones or urinary tract infections
