Latest news with #KidneyInjury
Time of India
09-08-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Do kidneys shrink without water? Here's what happens when kidneys aren't hydrated
Kidneys are the silent filters of our body; relentless at their work, cleaning the blood and regulating fluid and chemical balance. They remove waste products like urea and excess water, maintain the correct levels of essential minerals (sodium, potassium, etc. ), and help regulate blood pressure. For all this filtration, what do the kidneys need? Hydration. Hydration. Hydration. It's water that works as the fuel for the kidneys' filtration system. So, what happens to your kidneys when you don't drink enough water: do they shrink? Turns out, the answer is slightly more complicated than an objective yes or no. Read on to find out. Hydration: Your kidneys' best friend Let's establish this first: Water isn't optional, it's essential. It keeps blood flowing, kidneys filtering, and waste flushing smoothly. Staying hydrated also helps prevent stones, infections, and high blood pressure. Smart hydration means paying attention to your body, not just chugging fluid by rote. Notice pale urine, stay consistent, and include water-rich foods like cucumbers and watermelon. Research shows drinking enough water may slow kidney decline. Large population studies found that higher fluid intake correlates with slower decline in eGFR (a measure of how well kidneys filter) and lower risk of CKD. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This new air conditioner cools down a room in just seconds News of the Discovery Undo Plus, keeping hydrated helps prevent kidney stones and UTIs, common kidney hazards. What happens when you're dehydrated? Well, let's face it: Dehydration isn't something that only makes you nauseous and dizzy; the cons of dehydration are way more than that. But first, what exactly is dehydration? Dehydration , or not having enough fluids in your body, can cause a range of issues from mild discomfort to serious health problems. Symptoms can include thirst, dizziness, headache, and fatigue. Severe dehydration can lead to confusion, rapid heartbeat, and even seizures, requiring immediate medical attention. Now, when fluids dip inside your body, your kidneys shift into conservation mode. They crank up vasopressin (ADH) and trigger retention of water and sodium to preserve hydration. In serious cases, dehydration may lead to Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), evident when your kidneys suddenly can't filter waste efficiently. Signs can range from lower urine output to fatigue and swelling. To break it down more… Tougher filtering ahead: Dehydration triggers the body to hold onto water, concentrating urine and making kidneys work in overdrive. Kidney stone risks rise: Concentrated urine allows minerals to crystallize and slowly form painful kidney stones. Infection alert: Less water flow means fewer flushing trips to the bathroom, giving bacteria a chance to cause UTIs, which can spread to the kidneys. Sudden injury threat: In extreme cases, dehydration can lead to AKI, where kidneys sharply decline in function and waste accumulates fast. Long-term damage: Repeated dehydration can mount real harm over time, contributing to chronic kidney disease (CKD), possibly through pathways involving vasopressin and uric acid. But does dehydration shrink the kidneys? Contrary to myth, kidneys don't literally shrink if you're dehydrated. However, without enough water , their ability to filter waste falters, like a sponge that's too dry to soak up effectively. In fact, studies in healthy individuals found that just a few hours of water restriction can reduce kidney size on scans. This temporary 'shrinkage' is more about internal dynamics, like blood volume, than actual loss of tissue. Think of it as the pump dialing back, not a vanishing act. Meanwhile, severe dehydration reduces blood volume, cutting off the energy and flow needed for the kidneys to work properly. Without sufficient hydration, waste compounds (like BUN and creatinine) build up, making the kidneys work harder and increasing the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). Recurrent dehydration and chronic kidney risks It's not just short-term strain; scientists have been issuing warnings over repeated bouts of dehydration and their lasting impact on kidney health. In experimental models , rats subjected to periodic dehydration faced worsened hypertension, renal inflammation, and fibrosis, markers of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Adding to this, human studies reveal that low daily fluid intake is tied to faster declines in kidney performance over the years, especially among those with few litres of urine output per day. Finding the middle ground However, more water isn't the answer, which is to say: overhydration isn't always better. Balance matters even when it comes to hydration, as too much water can backfire. Drinking excessively, especially if your kidneys aren't functioning well, can cause fluid buildup, low sodium (hyponatremia), and stress on the heart and kidneys. The trick is balance: hydrate when thirsty, but don't turn it into a flood. Hydration hacks that help To keep your kidneys well-hydrated, but not dipped in a flood, try these friendly strategies: Carry a reusable water bottle, sip while you work or walk Set reminders to drink every hour Freeze fruit to flavor water naturally Track urine color; aim for pale yellow, not dark or clear So, to sum it up… No, kidneys do not shrink, *literally* when you're dehydrated. However, dehydration triggers measurable changes with slower filtration, stress signals, and potentially long-term damage if repeated often. The bottom line? Staying hydrated, which isn't just about quenching thirst, it's about preserving critical fluids inside your body. So next time you feel thirsty, think of your kidneys needing a sip. A refill helps you feel better and safeguards your filtration factory in the long run. Sanjay Raut calls rebel MLAs 'living corpses', says their souls are dead Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Mint
30-05-2025
- Health
- Mint
Covid-19 in India: 84 test positive in Maharashtra, Mizoram reports first case after 7 months; Centre monitors situation
As Covid-19 fear grips India after years, Maharashtra on Friday reported 84 new cases, while Mizoram reported its first case after seven months. Union Minister of State for Health and AYUSH (Independent Charge), Prataprao Jadhav, amid the gradual Covid-19 uptick on the day said that the Centre is fully prepared to handle any situation that may arise. Here are the top points of the Covid-19 situation in India: As many as 84 new Covid-19 cases were reported in Maharashtra on Friday, taking the tally of cases registered since the start of the year to 681, the state public health department said. Most of the patients have mild symptoms and people should not panic, it said in a release here. Of the new cases, 32 were detected in Mumbai, two in Thane district, 14 in Thane Municipal Corporation limits, one in Navi Mumbai, one in Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, two in Raigad district, one in Panvel, one in Nashik city, one in Pune district, 19 in Pune Municipal Corporation, three in Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, two in Satara, one in Kolhapur district, one in Kolhapur Municipal Corporation, and three in Sangli Municipal Corporation limits. Two persons have tested positive for Covid-19 in Mizoram, seven months after the last such case was reported in the state, health department officials said. The patients are undergoing treatment at Zoram Medical College and Hospital (ZMCH) in Falkawn near Aizawl, they said. Mizoram reported the last Covid-19 case in October 2024 during which 73 people had contracted the virus in the state. 63-year-old man who tested positive for Covid-19 died at a private hospital in Mysuru, taking the total coronavirus-related death toll in the state to three, officials said on Friday. The deceased, who was admitted to the hospital on May 15 died on May 25, they said. According to a statement by the health department, the patient died due to septic shock with MODS (Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome), AKI (Acute Kidney Injury) with oliguria, Covid pneumonia with ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) and Hyponatremia. The patient had comorbidities like CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) and Bronchiectasis. The health department bulletin pegged active Covid-19 cases at 234 in Karnataka as of May 30, with 114 new cases reported on Friday. Jadhav on Friday assured that the Centre is fully prepared to handle any situation that may arise. "Both our Central Health Department and the AYUSH Ministry are fully alert and closely monitoring the situation across all states. We have spoken with the respective Health and AYUSH Secretaries, as well as other concerned ministers," Jadhav told ANI. He added that the infrastructure developed during the earlier COVID-19 waves has been reviewed and that preparations are underway to deal with any eventuality. "We've reviewed the infrastructure built during the earlier COVID waves, such as oxygen plants and ICU beds, and have already begun preparations. Our health systems are well-equipped and ready to handle any situation that may arise in response to COVID," he said.
