11 Things Kidney Doctors Never, Ever Do

Your kidneys are pretty vital: They filter your blood and get rid of the waste in the body through urine. They’re also responsible for helping to regulate your blood pressure, producing red blood cells, keeping your bones healthy and more.

But the organs can get damaged, said Dr. Niloofar Nobakht , an associate clinical professor of nephrology at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. Damage to the kidneys is often irreversible, and it causes them to be less and less functional over time, leading to chronic kidney disease.

“Chronic kidney disease is the loss of normal kidney function. Many people have it and they may not even know,” explained Dr. Amber Paratore Sanchez, a board-certified nephrologist and medical director of the therapeutic apheresis program at UC San Diego Health.

When it comes to developing kidney issues, there’s an interplay of lifestyle, biological and environmental factors. It’s important to note that sometimes, you can do everything “right” and still end up with kidney problems. They may be a result of genetics, infections or autoimmune issues like lupus.

But don’t be disheartened. With most kidney conditions, “there are still things you can do to help slow the loss of kidney function” even after diagnosis, Sanchez said. There are also ways you can make sure you’re prioritizing your kidney health even before issues arise.

Below , nephrologists share the things they would never do in order to preserve their kidneys for as long as possible:

They do not withhold information about medications and supplements from their doctors.

“There have been a number of over-the-counter medications and supplements that have been associated with a loss of kidney function, either chronically or even acutely,”