With the burden of obesity growing to epidemic proportions, its detrimental effects ripple through different organs in the body, including the kidneys. CDK occurs when the kidneys have been damaged by underlying health conditions, including diabetes and high blood pressure, compromising the organ’s ability to remove waste and extra fluid from the body.
The study, which included 84,636 patients with CKD, set out to examine whether BMI variability may affect the prognosis of patients with kidney dysfunction.
Over the course of the study, six percent of participants died, four percent needed kidney replacement therapy or dialysis, 3 percent suffered a stroke and two percent suffered a heart attack.
Individuals with the highest body mass index fluctuations faced a 66 percent higher risk of dying, a 20 percent higher risk of requiring kidney replacement therapy, and a 19 percent higher risk of having a stroke and heart attack.
Doctor Ki Kim, of Seoul National University Hospital, said: “This study showed that people who had kidney function impairment with recent fluctuating body mass index had a higher risk of cardiovascular disease or death, regardless of their current body mass index.
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“This result suggests that people with kidney function impairment should pay attention to their fluctuating weight status, and those with fluctuating weight may benefit from receiving appropriate screening and risk factor management to prevent cardiovascular disease or progression of their kidney dysfunction.”
The team also noted that the participants with a higher number of metabolic syndrome components had a worse prognosis.
Metabolic syndrome is the medical term for a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.
Previous studies have drawn a link between the syndrome and a heightened risk for heart disease, stroke and other conditions affecting the blood vessels.
Symptoms of CKD
The NHS notes: “There are usually no symptoms of kidney disease in the early stages, it may only be diagnosed if you have a blood or urine test for another reason and the results show a possible problem with your kidneys.”
The health body outlines some of the symptoms in people with more advanced CKD:
- Tiredness
- Swollen ankles, feet or hands
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling sick
- Blood in urine
Choosing foods that are healthy will lessen the strain on the kidneys, thereby preventing the risk of further complications.
However, treating the underlying causes of chronic kidney disease is the most crucial step in the prevention of CKD.
Causes of CKD
There are a variety of conditions known to increase the risk of CKD in individuals, notably:
High blood pressure: High blood pressure can substantially increase the chances of developing CKD. Treatment for high blood pressure and CKD include following a healthy diet, exercising and taking medications. Blood pressure should be controlled to less than 130/80 if you have CKD.
Diabetes: Controlling blood glucose levels is of paramount importance when avoiding CKD. It is estimated 40 percent of people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes will develop CKD during their lifetime.
High cholesterol: As cholesterol causes the build-up of fatty deposits in the blood vessels supplying the kidneys, it can cause substantial damage to the organs. Studies have shown people with high cholesterol are twice as likely to get CKD over time.