Asian Heart Institute

REDUCE YOUR STRESS, SAVE YOUR KIDNEYS

The stressors we all face in our daily lives can often be ignored and pushed past, but have

you ever wondered how stress affects your body? Well, it is a well-known fact that staying

tense and stressed about things can take a toll on your heart, digestion and even your

immunity. In this post Dr Bhavesh Vora, consultant nephrologist and transplant physician, Asian

Heart Institute, Mumbai, tells you how stress can affect your kidneys.

How does stress affect your kidney function?

Increases your blood pressure: Stress can give rise to hypertension, and since high blood

pressure is one of the leading causes of kidney disease (apart from diabetes), stress can lead to

an increase in blood pressure and have an adverse effect on your kidney function. Can cause

your blood sugar levels to plummet: Stress can worsen your diabetes and often is the reason for

uncontrolled blood sugar.

Increases the number of cigarettes you smoke: A common phenomenon in people these

days is to smoke to relieve stress. This is again a very bad habit as smoking is very harmful to

your kidneys as it causes a reduction in the blood circulation in the organ, which in turn can

lead to kidney disease. You may also like to read about the 25 things that happen in your body

when you smoke.

Can sudden high levels of stress have an effect on your kidneys?

Not really, but yes it can compound over time and lead to kidney disease. For instance, if

you drink less water or smoke too much due to stress, then in the long run it can lead to kidney

disease.

Can kidney damage due to stress related ailments be reversed with a healthy lifestyle?

Yes. In fact, it is possible at any stage — even when the kidney damage is severe. For

instance, if a person is going to need dialysis in the next five years, with the right lifestyle

modifications he/she will most likely need it only after about 10-15 years or may not require it

at all in his life time → lifetime. You may also like to read about the natural ways to keep your

kidneys healthy.

That being said, while the structural damage that is present cannot be reversed, the

functional damage can be. Therefore, by making essential changes in your lifestyle such as

drinking enough water and staying hydrated, reducing stress levels, controlling your blood

sugar and blood pressure levels, eating healthy, quitting smoking and drinking and exercising

regularly, you will be able to see a significant change in your kidney function.

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Online coverage on :

http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/reduce-your-stress-save-your-kidneys/

http://healthmeup.com/photogallery-healthy-living/kidney-transplants-and-dialysis/35436