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You don’t have to be old to develop kidney disease: Nephrologist explains why more young adults are silently losing kidney health
Aadya Jha / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Jul 27, 2026, 8:00 IST
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Why kidney disease is no longer just an older adult’s concern
There is a common belief that kidney disease is something people need to worry about only after the age of 60. But doctors are seeing a different reality today. More young adults are developing kidney-related problems, often without knowing it until the disease has already progressed.The kidneys work silently every minute of the day. They filter waste, balance fluids, regulate blood pressure, support bone health and help produce red blood cells. Yet, unlike many other organs, they rarely send warning signs in the early stages of disease. That is why chronic kidney disease (CKD) is often called a “silent disease.”The concern is growing worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure are increasing globally, and both are among the biggest causes of chronic kidney disease. In India too, changing lifestyles, rising obesity, poor eating habits and lack of physical activity are putting younger people at greater risk. The worrying part is that many people feel perfectly healthy until significant kidney damage has already occurred.
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The silent epidemic that rarely makes headlines
“Kidney disease is a silent epidemic of the 21st century. It affects people of all ages, although it is somewhat more common in older adults. Not everyone is at the same risk; some communities in both developed and developing countries have a higher burden due to ethnicity or socioeconomic status. Groups such as African Americans, American Indians and other vulnerable populations are known to have higher rates of diabetes and hypertension, which are the leading causes of kidney disease,” said Dr G K Prakash, Consultant – Nephrology and Transplant Physician, Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram and Millers Road.Globally, kidney disease affects hundreds of millions of people. Yet, compared to heart disease or cancer, it often receives far less public attention. One reason is that kidney damage develops gradually. A person may continue working, exercising and leading a normal life while kidney function quietly declines.
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Why younger Indians are becoming more vulnerable
The image of kidney disease has changed dramatically over the last two decades.”Over the past 2 to 3 decades, kidney disease has been diagnosed more frequently in all populations. This is probably due to increased awareness, better screening methods and the collective efforts of the medical fraternity, philanthropic organisations, and charitable institutions. A major factor in this awareness has been World Kidney Day, celebrated annually since 2006. Each year, a dedicated theme is crafted to educate people on how to protect their kidneys and prevent disease, a movement that has had a meaningful impact both globally and in India,” explained Dr Prakash.At the same time, lifestyles have undergone a major shift.”Within India, the younger generation is increasingly at risk mostly due to unhealthy lifestyle choices: junk food, sugary drinks, processed and packaged foods high in salt, and a sedentary routine along with excessive screen time. These habits contribute to weight gain and obesity, now seen even in the paediatric population, which in turn predisposes individuals to diabetes, hypertension, metabolic disorders, and insulin resistance, all of which have serious implications for kidney health,” he said.The average workday for many young professionals now includes long hours in front of a computer, skipped meals, late-night eating, poor sleep and very little physical movement. Add sugary beverages and frequent takeaways to the mix, and the body is constantly under stress.Many people focus on visible fitness goals while overlooking internal health. A person may appear healthy on the outside yet already have rising blood pressure, insulin resistance or early kidney damage developing quietly.
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The hidden risks most people never think about
Kidney disease does not develop from poor diet alone. Several everyday habits and environmental factors quietly increase the risk.”Interestingly, the prevalence of kidney disease is increasing in rural areas than in urban areas. Statistics show that about 15% of the rural population is affected as opposed to 10.5% in the urban population. This is probably due to poor awareness, accessibility and affordability issues. Women and girls constitute another vulnerable group as they are not just prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs) but also for reasons not entirely understood and end up suffering from kidney disease more than men,” said Dr Prakash.He further added, “Other contributing factors include the indiscriminate use of over-the-counter medications, particularly painkillers, antibiotics, and unregulated bodybuilding supplements, without medical prescriptions. Inadequate water intake is a major risk factor for UTIs and kidney stone formation in some individuals. Advances in medical science and technology have further brought previously under-recognised hereditary kidney diseases to light, increasing the burden of familial conditions. The use of skin-lightening and whitening beauty products has also been associated with protein-losing kidney disease, especially among women. Climate change, especially rising temperatures, and the use of pesticides and chemicals in agriculture are emerging contributors to kidney disease, together accounting for a large number of kidney disease patients.”Many of these risk factors do not receive enough attention. People may casually take painkillers for headaches, consume protein supplements without professional advice or ignore repeated urinary infections, never imagining these decisions could affect their kidneys over time.
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Small choices today shape kidney health tomorrow
Kidney disease is not always preventable, but many of its major causes are manageable.Keeping blood sugar and blood pressure under control remains one of the most effective ways to protect the kidneys. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, limiting processed foods high in salt, drinking adequate water according to individual needs and avoiding tobacco can also reduce risk.Routine health check-ups matter even for young adults. A simple urine examination, blood creatinine test and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) can help identify kidney problems before symptoms develop.People with diabetes, hypertension, obesity, a family history of kidney disease or recurrent kidney stones should speak with their doctor about regular screening rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.
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Awareness is the strongest form of prevention
For many people, kidney disease is discovered only after fatigue, swelling, reduced urine output or severe illness appears. By then, valuable time may already have been lost.Dr Prakash concluded, “The way forward is vigilance: being mindful of what we consume, the air we breathe in, and the lifestyle choices we make so we can protect ourselves from the growing threat of kidney disease.”The message is simple but powerful. Healthy kidneys are easy to take for granted because they work quietly every day. Looking after them does not require dramatic lifestyle changes overnight. It begins with everyday decisions, choosing healthier food more often, staying active, avoiding unnecessary medicines, getting enough water and not postponing routine health checks.For a generation constantly racing against time, paying attention to kidney health may be one of the smartest long-term investments they can make.
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Medical experts consulted
This article includes expert inputs shared with TOI Health by:Dr G K Prakash, Consultant – Nephrology and Transplant Physician, Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram and Millers Road.Inputs were used to explain how everyday lifestyle habits, silent risk factors and timely screening can help reduce the growing burden of kidney disease among younger adults
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