A computer kidney sheds light on proper hydration

TORANTO: Researchers have developed a new ‘computer kidney’ that can help shed light on the impact of medicines taken by people who don’t drink enough water.

A study published in the American Journal of Physiology — Renal Physiology found that the elderly, people with impaired kidney function and those taking a combination of certain drugs need to be extra mindful of their water intake. “People who have high blood pressure are typically given a water pill, so they pee a lot to lower their blood volume and in doing so lower their blood pressure,” said Anita Layton, a professor at the University of Waterloo in

Canada

.

“These patients are frequently also given another drug that targets a hormonal system which will affect the kidney as well. One day they might have a headache and take an

aspirin

, and the three of these drugs together can hurt your kidneys,” said Layton. The ability of the kidney to maintain water balance is vital to our health.

However, the older population, those with kidney diseases, and those on blood pressure medication sometimes have a problem with water balance. The ‘computer kidney’ model found that unless a patient is properly hydrated, taking the two blood pressure drugs and an aspirin concurrently could cause

acute kidney injury

, researchers said.