Impact of smoking on kidneys: Dr. Venkatesh, Consultant Nephrologist, Apollo Dialysis Clinics, Chennai
Smokers inhale just about 7,000 different chemical ingredients while smoking a single cigarette including nicotine. Burning tobacco leaves produces many harmful chemicals and some of these chemicals are active in nature causing permanent damage to the body.
Cigarette smoke contains more than 70 known cancer-causing substances. Smoking is harmful to every organ of the body and can lead to serious illnesses and diseases.
Smoking has a crucial impact on the Kidneys as well. Kidneys are vital organs as they filter our blood to remove extra waste and fluid to make urine and hence contribute to the proper functioning of our body.
The impact of smoking can lead to the factors that cause kidney diseases. These factors include:
- Smoking increases blood pressure and heart rate levels.
- It limits the blood circulation in our kidneys.
- Smoking contributes to the making of Angiotensin II (a hormone that is produced in the kidney)
- It causes the blood vessels in the kidney to become narrower.
- Smoking damages the branches of arteries of the kidney making it thick and hard.
- It accelerates the rate of kidney dysfunction.
- Smoking increases the danger of proteinuria (when an excessive amount of protein is found in the urine).
Smoking and Kidney
Chronic kidney disease is majorly caused due to diabetes and high blood pressure. People suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure add to the risk of getting chronic kidney disease when they smoke. Smoking accelerates the development of chronic kidney disease according to a recent study. Elimination of smoking is beneficial for maintaining a healthy kidney.
Smoking while suffering from kidney disease can also contribute to kidney and heart failure for the people who have gone through dialysis or a kidney transplant as it can lessen their chance of survival due to cardiovascular problems.
According to studies, people who do not suffer from any kind of kidney disease are at risk of being diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease if they are smokers. Heavy and chain smokers are at an even higher risk for the same. Cigarette smoking is the most preventable danger for maintaining good health. Studies show that along with heart disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases related to smoking, there are also many cases of chronic kidney diseases.
Also, when compared with the nonsmokers, higher levels of albumin were found in the urine of smokers and ex-smokers. Their bodies were also slow in excreting another substance called creatinine. Resulting in higher albumin in urine and slowed creatinine excretion. These are the early signs of abnormal kidney function. The difficult part is that these conditions do not normally show symptoms making them undetectable.
What can be done
It is essential to fight nicotine addiction but it can not be done overnight so cutting down on the number of cigarettes is suggested. However, quitting would be the best possible choice. To control the cravings, certain steps need to be followed along with professional help and consultation. Self-effort and a fixed mindset are the keys here.
The preventive measures can be:
- Consulting a doctor for nicotine-replacement remedies like gums and patches, and also medicines to help with the cravings.
- Decide on a quitting date and get rid of all the tobacco products.
- Chewing gums, sucking on hard candies, and munching on low-calorie snacks throughout the day can be helpful.
- Talking to friends and family or seeking professional help might help. Also, researching online and reaching out to ex-smokers can help boost morale.
- Breathing exercises and meditation till the urge goes away is a more natural alternative to medications and can be practiced.
- Becoming a member of any quit-smoking programs to gain more insight on the same.
