You may not have this concern right now, but you need to know!

(1) Don't Overdose on Certain Medications

NSAIDs are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen. They can damage your kidneys if you take too much at once or take too many doses. Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to treat ulcers or GERD increases the chances of developing chronic kidney disease. You should only take them if your doctor says you need them.

(2) Use Antibiotics with Caution

If you use these antibiotics frequently, they can damage your kidneys. This can happen even if you are very healthy, but it's more serious if your kidneys aren't functioning properly. Some types, such as penicillin, sulfonamides, and cephalosporins, are more likely to cause problems.

(3) Skip Herbal Supplements

Supplement manufacturers don't have to prove their products are safe, and some can harm your kidneys. These medications are especially harmful if you have kidney disease, as they can worsen your condition or interfere with the effectiveness of certain medications. Consult your doctor before trying any herbal supplements.

(4) Healthy Eating

Your kidneys process all the food you eat and drink, including anything that's bad for you, such as large amounts of fat, salt, and sugar. Over time, a poor diet can lead to high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and other kidney-damaging conditions. A healthy diet includes plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and less processed foods.

(5) Be Mindful of Salt

This mineral affects people in different ways. For some, it appears to increase the amount of protein in their urine. If you already have kidney disease, this can damage your kidneys or worsen existing kidney disease. Large amounts of salt also increase your chances of developing high blood pressure (a typical cause of kidney disease) and kidney stones, which can be very painful and potentially damaging if left untreated.

(6) Drink Plenty of Water

Water helps transport essential nutrients to the kidneys and carries waste products to the bladder as urine. If you don't drink enough, the tiny filters inside your kidneys can become clogged, leading to kidney stones and infections. Even mild dehydration can damage your kidneys if it happens frequently. Four to six glasses a day is generally appropriate, but you may need more if you are sick or in hot weather. (7) Exercise

Just like a healthy diet, this helps prevent conditions like diabetes and heart disease that can damage the kidneys. But don't try to go from couch potato to fitness fanatic overnight. Too much exercise can also harm your kidneys if you're not prepared. Aim for at least 5 days a week, 30 to 60 minutes each time. If you haven't done this in a while, start slowly, and consult your doctor first if you have any health problems.

(8) Get Screened

It's important to know your risk of developing kidney disease. You're more likely to be at risk if you or a close relative have a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney failure. In these cases, your doctor may recommend specific kidney tests as part of your regular checkups. The earlier you detect it, the easier it is to treat, and sometimes you can even stop treatment altogether.

(9) Be Careful with Alcohol

If you're healthy, a drink or two is unlikely to harm your kidneys. But binge drinking (more than four drinks in less than two hours) can cause sudden, serious damage and can lead to long-term problems. Alcohol often dehydrates you, which prevents your kidneys from functioning properly and can lead to weight gain, liver disease, high blood pressure, and other conditions that put more stress on the kidneys. (10) Quit Smoking

Smoking increases the risk of kidney cancer and damages blood vessels, which affects the kidneys by slowing blood flow to them. Additionally, smoking can interfere with certain medications used to treat high blood pressure. This is serious because uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading cause of kidney disease.

(11) Manage Health Issues

The two most common conditions affecting the kidneys are diabetes and high blood pressure. A balanced diet and regular exercise can help manage both. For people with diabetes, it's also important to closely monitor your blood sugar and take insulin as needed. For high blood pressure, check your numbers regularly using a Biophilia Tracker and strictly follow your doctor's prescription for all medications.