Kidney Korner: Comorbidities

A comorbidity is defined as a medical condition that coexists alongside a primary diagnosis. These conditions can develop over time and potentially worsen your pre-existing diagnosis. Properly managing your health conditions can help reduce the risk of developing comorbidities or reduce the impact they may have. Let’s explore a few common comorbidities that impact kidney health.

1. Diabetes: Diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s ability to control the glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. Excess sugar in the bloodstream can damage small blood vessels and ultimately lead to hypertension and kidney damage. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of chronic kidney disease.
2. Hypertension: Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can lead to the hardening of the arteries, which inhibits proper blood flow to the kidneys. Hypertension is also one of  the leading causes of chronic kidney disease.
3. Heart Diseases: Cardiovascular diseases affect the heart and vascular system. The heart and vascular system play a vital role in blood pressure management and kidney health.
4. Obesity: Obesity can be defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of greater than 30. Obesity can affect the kidney’s ability to function properly in that they are forced to work harder and to filter waste above the normal level. This additional work and strain can lead to an increased risk for kidney disease. Being overweight can also lead to an increased risk for diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, which are all kidney disease comorbidities as well. 
5. Chronic Lung Diseases: Lung and kidney diseases can be a surprising combination for some. Lung conditions can affect the blood flow to the kidneys and the fluid/mineral balance that the kidneys work toward. Additionally, smoking is strongly correlated with both lung and kidney damage. Furthermore, some irritants and treatments for lung disease, like steroids, may irritate and worsen kidney function.
6. NSAID use: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are part of a medication class that works to reduce inflammation, redness, swelling, pain, and fever. NSAIDs can narrow the blood vessels, thus increasing the blood pressure, which risks damaging the kidneys. You can learn more about NSAIDs and the kidneys here. 
7. Gout: Gout is a type of arthritis caused by excess buildup of uric acid. When the kidneys are filtering the blood, the excess uric acid can develop into crystals, or kidney stones, that can pass through the kidney and ureter and cause damage, scarring, and lead to reduced kidney function. 
8. Auto-immune disorders: While it is less common than some of the other listed conditions, some auto-immune disorders can have an effect on the function of your kidneys. One of these conditions is called Lupus. Lupus is a condition that causes your immune system to attack healthy tissues and organs in your body. If Lupus attacks the kidneys, there can be a serious need for intervention by a nephrologist, leading to dialysis and/or transplantation.

This is by no means a comprehensive list of contributing factors and influences on kidney diseases. Each person is unique and requires individualized attention based on their needs and pre-existing conditions. If you have concerns about your kidney function and comorbidities, reach out to our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Munjal. As always, stay safe and healthy!

Resources:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/comorbidities
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajplung.00152.2021

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