Obesity and its impact on kidney disease
Many people around the world are victims of overweight and obesity, which are chronic health conditions that cause them to look fat. The human body requires fat for a wide range of functions, including energy production and maintaining body temperature. But having too much fat results in various serious health problems, often called obesity-related health conditions.
The excess fat accumulated in your body puts you at risk of various other health conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, which can possibly lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD) or might even damage the kidneys. Obesity can also have a direct impact on the kidneys—like inflammation of the glomeruli, the tiny filtering units inside your kidneys. Damaged filters can impair kidney function.
Being overweight or obese makes it harder to filter your blood, which means pressure on your kidneys increases and leads to a condition known as hyperfiltration. If ignored, the filters may become scarred and damaged. Moreover, obesity can also prevent kidney transplantation because the risk for complications during surgery and after transplant is high.
How can obesity harm your kidneys?
The excess fat tissues in obese people need more oxygen and nutrients—pushing the heart to work harder, which increases blood pressure. High blood pressure is one of the major risk factors for kidney disease, which can even cause kidney damage.
In addition, obese people are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which can contribute to chronic kidney disease. High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels, which can impair the kidneys’ ability to filter waste. All these conditions, which are commonly observed in obese people, can increase the probability of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) over time. Also, toxic chemicals are released in obese people, which damages the kidney tissues.
Obesity and kidney stones
The risk of developing chronic kidney stones is also high in obese or overweight people. The key components in the formation of kidney stones are calcium, oxalate, and uric acid. Unfortunately, obese people have higher excretion of these components in the form of urine. Kidney stones is a severe condition that can lead to urinary tract infections and even damage the kidney if proper treatment is not provided.
Obesity and kidney transplantation
Kidney transplantation is essential and the best option for people with end-stage kidney disease. However, this option has certain complications in obese people, such as higher surgical risks, infections, and delayed healing. Matching kidney donors and safety are also major concerns in obese people because of excess body fat. So, it is suggested to lose weight before transplantation to prevent complications.
Losing weight plays a crucial role in improving kidney function and reducing the risk of CKD. Losing even just 5% to 10% of your excess body weight can have a great impact—reduces blood pressure, improves insulin sensitivity, lowers the protein levels in urine, etc.
Different kinds of weight loss options are available, in which bariatric surgery, often called weight loss surgery, may be recommended, especially for people with severe obesity. Many studies reported over the past few decades that bariatric surgery not only helps in reducing weight but also lowers the risk of many obesity-related health conditions, which include kidney diseases.
However, everyone who is obese and has kidney problems may not be suitable for these procedures; you need to be carefully evaluated by the weight loss surgeons and consider the weight loss procedure that suits you and your condition.
Preventive measures to keep off excess weight and kidney problems
- Focus on consuming a balanced diet of whole foods, whole grains, fruits & vegetables, and lean proteins
- Avoid processed foods, and limit consumption of salt and sugar.
- Staying physically active is as important as consuming the right foods. Exercise regularly for at least 30 to 45 minutes a day. It helps you manage weight and enhances your kidney function.
- Go for regular check-ups so that you can monitor and control blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
- Drinking sufficient water and staying hydrated can improve kidney function and also prevent kidney stones.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption, especially if you are at risk of kidney problems, because they can contribute to high blood pressure and kidney damage.
Obesity is a serious global health concern; over time, it can silently damage many organs in your body, including the kidneys. The risk of kidney problems in obese or overweight people is compounded if accompanied by diabetes and hypertension.
If you are obese, understand your situation and take all necessary steps to manage your weight so that you can reduce and prevent many obesity-related health problems, including kidney problems. For weight management solutions, consult Dr. Venugopal Pareek, one of the best bariatric surgeons in Hyderabad. Call +91 91777 77715 to get your tailored weight loss solution.
