Nephrologist warns of common lifestyle mistakes leading to kidney failure

Dr. Hung Yung-hsiang, a nephrologist with 25 years of experience, has identified ten common lifestyle mistakes and regrets frequently expressed by patients undergoing dialysis. He notes that while some cases involve acute kidney injury, most chronic kidney failure results from continuous damage occurring over 20 to 30 years. A significant danger is that early-stage kidney decline often presents no noticeable symptoms.

The most frequent regret reported by patients is delaying medical blood tests due to busy work schedules. Other critical mistakes include ignoring abnormal health checkup results, consuming unknown herbal remedies that may contain toxins, and stopping prescribed blood pressure or blood sugar medications due to fears of kidney damage.

Dr. Hung also warned against several dietary and behavioral habits: excessive sodium intake, relying on sugary drinks instead of water, long-term improper use of NSAID painkillers, and chronic dehydration. He emphasized that managing blood pressure and blood sugar is essential for protecting kidney function and that early detection through clinical indicators like eGFR and proteinuria is vital for timely treatment.