Most people have a routine; and give or take the occasional deviation, each and every day there are constants in their lives. People usually get up the same time each day, eat the same breakfasts, take the same route to work, order the same coffee, eat the same lunches, watch the same shows and go to bed around the same time. While from the outside looking in, this could seem like a negative, but in reality, great pleasure can be taken from the comforting constants in your life, after all, they were chosen by you. However, what if you learned that some of those constants could be harming you; more specifically, a vital organ? Sadly, this scenario is a reality for many.

The kidney is one of the most important and vital organs in our bodies, however, some common habits that many of us are guilty of could be putting us in danger.

Here is a list of some common habits that could be taking kicking your kidney and taking years off your life.

Insufficient Water Intake

Many people only drink when they are thirsty, and as a result, don’t get the amount of water they need each day. While seemingly innocent, this common practice could be causing big trouble for your kidney as the main function of the kidneys is to flush out metabolic waste from the body and regulate erythrocyte production; something it needs water to do.

Too Much Salt

High sodium intake can not only damage your kidneys but your overall health. Too much salt cause your kidneys to overwork as they metabolize 95 percent of the sodium consumed in food.

Smoking Cigarettes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking is bad for almost every organ of the body, including the kidneys. Several studies have shown the connection between smoking and kidney disease.

Too Much Caffeine

While the kidneys perform many important functions, it is wise to never put unwanted stress on them. Consuming too much caffeine can cause high blood pressure, which in turn will put a strain on your kidneys. Over time, this can damage your kidneys.

Lack of Sleep

Very often due to our busy lifestyles, people forget about how important sleep is. While you sleep, renewal of organ tissues occurs. Therefore, when you do not get sound sleep, this interrupts the renewal process, resulting in damage to the kidneys and other organs.

High Protein Diet

Protein is good for you, but it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Diets rich in red meat and other protein-based foods can increase the risk of developing kidney disease.