Many sources have stress and kidney disease is related. Did you know that stress can lead to kidney damage?
Stress is the body’s reaction to both happy and sad situations, such as winning the lottery and having a relationship, personal, or financial problems, respectively.
We all experience stress from time to time; it’s natural. The kidneys are particularly vulnerable to damage if this condition persists for an extended period and is severe.
Is there a link between stress and kidney disease?
The National Kidney Foundation reports that stress can damage the kidneys by causing hypertension and other circulatory problems.
When under intense stress, the body will increase its heart rate, blood sugar, and blood pressure, tighten its muscles, and widen its pupils.
The purpose of this unintentional response is to heighten awareness, such as in the face of a threat or potential danger.
The effects of hypertension, arrhythmias, and hyperglycemia on kidney function can be compounded.
Long-term exposure to this condition, without proper management, can cause kidney damage.
Indirectly, stress can cause kidney damage by making people adopt unhealthy habits.
According to WebMD, people under stress are more likely to engage in risky behaviors like binge eating, drinking soda, snacking on salty snacks, smoking, drinking alcohol, and using drugs.
It’s important to note that kidney damage can be brought on by some of the aforementioned unhealthy habits and ways of living.
If you have a history of chronic diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, you have a greater risk of developing kidney disease as a result of stress.
Avoiding stress, which can harm the kidneys, is essential.
It’s not easy to keep your cool when things get rough or to make it through a stressful situation.
However, you can lessen stress’s negative effects on your health so that it doesn’t lead to kidney damage. This is how:
- Take control of your eating habits and make a concerted effort to eat healthily.
- If you have hypertension or are at risk of developing it, you should reduce your salt and sodium intake.
- Caffeine-containing foods and drinks, such as coffee, tea, chocolate, soda, and energy drinks, should be consumed in moderation.
- Cutting back on sweets, sodas, and other processed foods can help you maintain a healthy weight.
- Stop what you’re doing and take a break every once in a while.
- Do something soothing, like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing, to unwind.
- Get in touch with close friends, a partner, or someone you can trust and talk to them about how you feel.
- Try to live up to your reasonable expectations.
- Get a good night’s rest every night.
- Incorporate regular time off into your schedule.
- Try to see things from a more optimistic and upbeat perspective instead of being a pessimist.
- Engage in a pleasurable activity, such as gardening, cooking, tinkering with cars, or listening to music.
- Try to get active and run a regular exercise routine.
Consultation with a mental health professional, such as a psychologist, is always an option if the above measures have not been effective in reducing your stress levels.
While it’s true that stress management can be challenging, it’s important to remember that prolonged exposure to even mild levels of stress can have negative effects on your kidney health and overall well-being.
source: Kompas