Kidney disease is increasingly affecting young people in Indonesia, with health officials warning that unhealthy lifestyle habits are silently damaging organs before symptoms appear.
According to Dr. Dina Nilasari, SpPD-KGH, a health practitioner cited in recent reports, staying up late while consuming energy drinks is one of the key habits contributing to kidney failure among young adults. She noted that beyond caffeine, other ingredients in energy drinks can harm kidney function over time, especially when consumed in large quantities.
Health experts have identified several everyday behaviors that significantly increase the risk of chronic kidney disease in youth. These include regularly staying up late, excessive consumption of sweetened and packaged beverages, frequent use of pain relievers without medical guidance, habitual junk food intake, and inadequate water consumption.
The Ministry of Health has highlighted the growing burden of kidney disease, stating that treatment costs for chronic kidney failure rose significantly in 2024 to 11 trillion rupiah, placing increasing strain on national healthcare financing.
Officials also emphasized that sweetened drinks — including packaged juices, soft drinks, and ice cream — are major contributors, with long-term consumption linked to a higher risk of chronic kidney conditions. Alcohol use has also been associated with increased risk.
Dehydration from insufficient water intake, particularly during intense physical activity, allows waste and toxins to accumulate in the body, gradually damaging kidney function and potentially leading to kidney stones or urinary tract infections that further impair organ health.
Health authorities urge young people to adopt preventive measures such as drinking enough water, reducing sugar and salt intake, avoiding unnecessary medications, and maintaining regular sleep patterns to protect kidney function before irreversible damage occurs.
