Obesity is a condition where excessive or unusual fat gets deposited in the body and especially around the organs. Obesity is officially recognized as a disease because of the fatal impact it has on functioning of our body. It is associated with acute medical complications and one of them is the upshot on the vital renal function. Our kidneys are two bean shaped organs that segregate impurities and excess water from the blood. At any given point, our kidneys are filtering proteins, salts and other impurities from the blood. Obesity directly or indirectly affects this process.
Kidney Inflammation
Adipose tissue or the loose connecting tissue between organs, stores fat to form cushion or insulation around the organs. In the case of obesity, excessive fat gets accumulated in this tissue, which directly affects the natural flow of blood within the organs, including kidneys. Nephrons in the kidneys drive the blood filtration process and need constant inflow of blood to function. Excessive adipose fat restricts blood flow to the kidney causing kidney diseases and inflammations.
Kidney Stones
Common kidney stone contains calcium with either oxalate or phosphate. Due to metabolic imbalance, people with obesity observe increased excretion of uric acid and oxalate in urine. This indicates high risk factor for formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones. Obese persons crave salts and animal-protein based diets, making the person susceptible to kidney stones. Kidney stones when pass through urinary track cause excruciating pain, cramps in lower back, nausea and vomiting.
Blood Pressure effects
Abnormal fat accumulation, especially around the abdominal area, exerts extra pressure on the arteries causing them to harden. This obstructs smooth flow of blood through the arteries causing rise in salt levels and increase in blood pressure. Gradually, uncontrolled high blood pressure weakens the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys. These arteries begin to narrow, weaken or harden. Over a period of time the nephrons deteriorate due to lack of oxygen and nutrients from blood. The kidneys slowly lose their ability to filter blood & regulate fluids, acids and salts in the body. Normal kidneys produce a hormone called aldosterone which supports the body to maintain blood pressure balance.
Kidney damage and uncontrolled high blood pressure progressively worsen the situation and eventually the kidney stops functioning.
Diabetes
Obesity increases the risk of type-2 diabetes condition. Though the body tries to produce sufficient insulin, obesity causes stress in the cells making them insulin resistant. The body insulin falls short of processing the sugar in the cells, leading to diabetes. If the sugar level in the blood increases, the kidneys are over-worked to filter excess blood to segregate the sugar and proteins. Eventually the kidneys are worked over-limit and their filtering ability deteriorates. Waste products start accumulating in the blood and the kidneys fail. This condition is called End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). In normal diabetic persons, this can be kept in check with medications & controlled food habits. But in case of obese individuals, as the blood circulation is weak and the capillaries that carry blood weaken, the kidneys are highly vulnerable and diabetes doubles the risk of kidney failure.
Renal Fibrosis
Our body cells secrete extracellular molecules which are made up of water, minerals and fibrous proteins. These molecules come together to form the extracellular matrix (ECM). The structure and functioning of body tissues is majorly depended on ECM, which binds and supports the surrounding cells. Obesity generates a pro-inflammatory condition that increases abnormal secretion of hormones, immune proteins and other chemical mediators from cells. These affect the ECM level and excessive accumulation of ECM causes injury to the kidneys. Chronic injury to the kidneys is the reason for renal fibrosis. Increasing development of renal fibrosis ultimately leads to distressing end-stage renal failure, which requires regular dialysis or maybe a kidney transplant.
Being obese is like sitting on a ticking time-bomb. Only strict dietary discipline, healthy lifestyle, regular screening and prescribed health care will help restrict the consequence of obesity. Adequate amount of water intake and mandatory physical activity has to be a part of daily routine. Stable weight loss can improve regulating diabetes and high blood pressure. It can also, lower the risk for developing chronic kidney disease. Replacing oily foods, animal fats and sugary foods with more fruit, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains favours good metabolism and restricts weight gain. Managing stress effectively is utmost necessary. Promoting awareness campaigns to educate people on the risks of obesity is very necessary, as this condition is spreading like an epidemic.
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