Kidney Problems Can Cause High Blood Pressure | Karma Ayurveda

What Is High Blood Pressure?

Kidney Problems Can Cause High Blood Pressure. Blood pressure is referred as to as the force of blood pushing itself against the walls of the bloodstream. High blood pressure results in higher pressure on the blood vessels as it moves through the body.

What Is Kidney Disease?

Kidney disease on the other hand refers to the incapacity of the kidneys in sifting the waste and excess fluid from the blood. The kidneys are the blood filters of the body that excretes waste in the form of urine. All the waste and hazardous substances we have in our body because of any reason, for instance from the food we consume, muscle activities, unused energy, and the body’s metabolism process stay in the blood only until removed by the kidneys.

Can Blood Pressure Cause Kidney Damage?

The kidneys and circulatory system depend on each other for their function. The kidneys filter waste and use a lot of blood vessels to do so. When the blood pressure rises, the nephrons and the glomeruli within the kidneys do not receive the oxygen and other substances needed for a smooth blood filtration process. High blood pressure narrows or weakens the blood vessels that reach the kidneys and result in reduced blood flow to the kidneys.

This is why you may know doctors affirming high blood pressure to be a leading cause of failing kidney function. When this cycle continues, the kidneys may not filter the excess fluid in the blood. This fluid then starts to seep into the cells and tissues thereby raising blood pressure even more. From here this never-ending cycle continues that end with end-stage renal disease.

This can be explained as:

Damaged kidneys do not filter blood well: The kidneys have millions of nephrons that help in blood filtration. Each nephron receives its supply of blood through thin hair-like capillaries. When the blood vessels get damaged or narrowed, the nephrons do not receive the needed amount of oxygen and water. The kidneys lose their ability to function well at this time and regulate the fluid, acid level, and salts in the body. Damaged kidneys fail to regulate blood pressure: Healthy kidneys secrete a hormone called aldosterone that regulates the body’s blood pressure rate. Kidney disease results in a low production of these hormones and contributes to a never-ending cycle of uncontrolled blood pressure and kidney damage. As more arteries block, the kidneys eventually fail.

Who is more at risk of high blood pressure and kidney disease?

A person may have high blood pressure, if:

Being older: Blood pressure tends to increase as a person ages.

With aging, blood vessels naturally get thicken and stiff.

Family history of blood pressure: High blood pressure tends to run in family lines.

Unhealthy lifestyle: Unhealthy eating such as frozen food packed food, salt and pickles, alcoholic beverages, or not doing exercise can increase the risk of blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

You are male: Men are more likely to have hypertension before even 55. On the other hand, women develop it after 55.

In addition to hypertension, other factors that likely increase the risk of kidney disease may include:

• High blood sugar level
• A family history of kidney disease
• Polycystic kidney disease
• Glomerulonephritis

High blood pressure or hypertension is both causes as well as a sign of kidney disease.

What symptoms may preexist with high blood pressure and kidney disease?

Hardly until the last stage, people get to know about their kidney disease with the help of signs. The signs of kidney disease may not appear until end-stage renal disease while in a rare case, you may notice fluid retention causing problems. Fluid retention causes edema in the later stages as the kidneys may not get rid of extra fluid and salt.

At the later stages, you may notice:

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea, or vomiting
• Drowsiness, tiredness,
• Muscle cramps
• Sleep issues
• Headaches or trouble concentrating
• Increased or decreased urination
• Generalized itching or numbness
• Dry skin or darkened skin
• Weight loss
• Chest pain or shortness of breath
• Anemia
• Malnutrition

How do doctors diagnose high blood pressure and kidney disease?

High blood pressure

Blood pressure is measured in systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure represents the pressure as the heart beats while diastolic pressure is measured when the blood vessels relax between the heartbeats. Normal blood pressure is considered 120/80 by healthcare. If your blood pressure is continuously higher than 130/80, it indicates you have hypertension. Diagnosing kidney disease To examine your kidney function, your healthcare will measure your kidney function with the help of the following tests:

• Glomerular filtration rate
• Creatinine measurement
• Urine test
• Blood test
• A kidney biopsy
• Imaging tests

How to prevent kidney disease when your blood pressure is high?

The best way to prevent kidney disease from high blood pressure is to take preventive steps along with medications. These steps may include:

• Staying physically active: At least for 30 minutes, one should workout or do biking, swimming, walking, etc
• Maintaining a healthy weight: Know your body mass index and aim to make your weight stable.
• Not smoking: Smoking results in uncontrollable blood pressure
• Managing stress: Stress should be managed with the help of adopting a healthy lifestyle you prefer, practicing yoga and meditation, gratitude should be a way of living.
• Quitting alcohol: Alcohol damages your liver and your heart at the same time.
• Following a healthy diet: For blood pressure, take a diet low in salt and sodium.

Blood pressure or hypertension can make your kidney disease severe and if you have high blood pressure, your healthcare team may suggest medications to control blood pressure. Also, follow a healthy diet to prevent blood pressure from rising. Conditions like blood pressure can be easily controlled with the help of a diet and preventive measures if you have not started with the medications yet. If your kidney function is already low, you can take Ayurvedic treatment to help lower the risk of high blood pressure and end-stage renal disease also.

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