Rising Pollution & Smoking - How It Is Damaging Your Kidneys?

Today, pollution (be it the air, water, or noise pollution) has become the biggest threat to mankind. The quality of air has deteriorated like never before. Everywhere, people are suffering from the deteriorating effects of pollution, the worse being the air pollution. Inhaling toxic gases continuously has worsened the situation to such an extent that health disorders such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, heart ailments, to name a few are on a mercurial rise.

Various surveys and scientific studies suggest that the deteriorating air quality acts as a catalyst leading to an upsurge in kidney problems and disorders. The kidney is a vital organ of the body that plays a pivotal role in the blood purification process and filtering waste out of the system. When the harmful air pollutants (microscopic particulate matter such as dirt, smoke, soot, to name a few) gets into our body and the bloodstream, they wreak havoc interfering with the ability of the kidneys to perform their function efficiently.

As per a new finding, for a rise of 10 micrograms of fine particulates per cubic meter of air, the incidence of kidney failure shoots up by about 26% and that of chronic kidney ailments by about 27%. If necessary control measures are not implemented at the earliest, it is not long before kidney diseases will become a catastrophe.

The use of anti-pollution masks is, thus, highly recommended for both the children and adults. Further, as a responsible citizen, get your automobile engines checked and modified to ensure minimum emission of the toxic gases. In case of any uneasiness or discomfort, seek immediate medical assistance.

Another trigger that acts as a poison resulting in kidney diseases is smoking. The harmful effects of tobacco are known to all. Doctors suggest that smoking can, directly and indirectly, affect renal functions. In some instances, smoking triggers the health condition that proves to be the underlying factors for chronic kidney diseases (CKD). 

• High blood pressure is one of leading contributing factors for CKD. Prolonged, uncontrolled and untreated high blood pressure not only alters the kidney function but triggers extensive damage to the renal blood vessels (causes constriction of the vessels) and arteries leading to kidney failure.
• Smoking often leads to high blood pressure which eventually results in chronic kidney diseases.
• Prolonged smoking increases the plasma renin activity. There is also increased production of Angiotensin II. Angiotensin II, produced by the kidney is a part of the Renin-Angiotensin system and results in a rise in the blood pressure (through vasoconstriction).
• In some cases, chronic and uncontrolled smoking can lead to arteriosclerosis of the renal arteries with severe damage to the arterioles. Incidences of kidney failures are high in diabetic patients who smoke regularly.

One does not need rocket science to understand that the solution to this problem lies in giving up on smoking and preventing exposure to pollution to keep their kidneys functioning properly and bodies healthy.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!