Stress and Kidney Disease

Introduction:

Stress is anything that disturbs or can disturb the harmony and balance of the body. Stress can be physiological (infection, injury, illness) or psychological (anxiety, arguments, conflicts, threats to personal safety or well-being). Living with a chronic disease such as kidney disease or discovering it recently can be associated with increased stress on the body psychologically.

Mental stress is something that plagues people daily. It can result from positive life events such as marriage and children or more emotionally difficult events such as the loss of a loved one, divorce, or personal or financial problems. In some cases, stress is normal, and the body's response to stress is a natural process, including increased breathing and heart rate, blood pressure, dilated pupils, and muscle tension. Blood fat and sugar levels may also increase. The body's response to stress is called fight or flight. Stress is a natural process that helps people survive an impending danger, but these excessive or constant stress reactions can ultimately affect their health.

What Is Stress-Induced Kidney Disease?

Stress and uncontrolled stress responses can also lead to kidney damage. As the body's blood filtering unit, the kidneys are prone to blood flow and blood vessel problems. High blood pressure and persistently increased levels of blood sugar can put additional stress and strain on the kidneys. People with high blood pressure and diabetes are at increased risk of kidney disease. People with kidney disease are at increased risk of heart and blood vessel disease. In the case of heart or kidney disease, the body's response to stress can become increasingly dangerous. Whether improving health while dealing with stress, managing stress is an important part of maintaining overall health.

What Are the Causes of Stress-Induced Kidney Disease?

A situation or pressure that causes stress is called a stressor. People usually think of stressors such as busy work schedules or difficult relationships. Anything that places high demands on a person can be stressful.

Not every type of stress is caused by an external factor. Stress can also be internal or self-generated when people worry excessively about things that may or may not happen or when we have irrational and pessimistic thoughts about life.

Ultimately, what causes stress depends, at least partly, on how people perceive it. For example, some people are afraid to perform or speak in front of people, while others live in the limelight. Some thrive under pressure and do their best in the face of tight deadlines, while others stop when work demands escalate. Also, while one may be happy to help care for ones aging parents, siblings can be overwhelmed and stressed by the demands of caregiving.

Common external causes of stress are:

• The big change in life.

• Work or school-related problems.

• Relationship difficulties.

• Financial issues.

• Extremely busy life, not having time for oneself.

• Children and family-related issues.

Common internal causes of stress include:

• Pessimism.

• Unable to accept uncertainty.

• Rigid thinking, inflexibility.

• Negative self-talk.

• Unrealistic expectations/perfectionism.

• All or nothing attitude.

What Are the Symptoms of Stress-Induced Kidney Disease?

The most dangerous aspect of stress is how easily it can creep in. It starts to feel like a normalized way of life as it becomes a part of everyday life. That's why it's important to be aware of common warning signs and symptoms of stress overload.

Cognitive Symptoms:

• Memory problem.

• Difficulty in concentrating.

• Bad judgment.

• Seeing only the negative side of things.

• Anxiety or competitive thoughts.

• Constant worry.

Emotional Symptoms:

• Depression or general unhappiness.

• Fear and excitement.

• Moody, irritable, or angry.

• Feeling overwhelmed.

• Loneliness and isolation.

When to Get Help for Stress-Induced Kidney Disease?

When feeling stressed, see the doctor or psychologist as soon as possible. If there is hesitation to seek treatment, talk to a friend, family member, health care professional, religious leader, or someone trustworthy. People with the following symptoms are advised to seek professional help immediately -

• Lethargy.

• Low appetite.

• Reduced urination.

• Reduced interest in life activities.

How Is Stress-Induced Kidney Disease Diagnosed?

Stress is subjective and cannot be measured by tests. Only those who have experienced it can know if it is there and how strong it is. Healthcare providers can use surveys to understand stress and how it affects life. If suffering from chronic stress, the doctor can evaluate the stress-related symptoms. For example, it is possible to diagnose and treat hypertension.

Kidney ailment induced by stress can be diagnosed by following tests:

• Renal Function Tests- These tests check how well the kidneys remove waste products from the system. Kidney tests may include blood tests, a 24-hour urine sample, or both.

• Blood Tests- Blood tests measure or test cells, chemicals, proteins, or other substances in the blood.

• Urinalysis- A urinalysis examines urine's appearance, concentration, and content.

How Is Stress-Induced Kidney Disease Treated?

Stress which can cause kidney disease can be treated in following ways:

• Be Active- Virtually all forms of physical activity are stress relievers. Exercise is a good stress reliever.

• Eat Healthy- Eating a healthy diet is an important part of self-care. Try to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

• Avoid Unhealthy Habits- Some people can manage stress by drinking too much caffeine or alcohol, smoking, eating too much, or using illegal drugs. These habits can be detrimental to a person’s health.

• Meditation- During meditation, focusing the mind on calming thoughts can declutter the mind. Meditation can induce a sense of calmness, peace, and balance, which can benefit both emotional well-being and overall health.

• Seek Professional Counselling- If new stressors are challenging a person’s coping abilities, or if self-help activities are not relieving the stress, It will be beneficial to seek counseling from a professional therapist or psychiatrist.

• Drink Water Regularly- Drinking water regularly will keep the kidney functioning in check.

How to Manage Stress-Induced Kidney Disease?

It is very challenging, if not impossible, to eliminate stress completely or completely eliminate the physical response to stress. However, there are steps that can be taken to manage stress and control the body's response to stress. Here are some easy ways to reduce stress:

• Eat healthier foods.

• Limit salt and caffeine (especially if blood pressure is elevated).

• Limit sugar (especially when blood pressure is elevated) and fat (especially if one is at risk for heart or blood vessel disease).

• Take time to relax.

• Follow relaxation techniques (yoga, meditation, etc.).

• Prayer.

• Talk to a friend, loved one, spiritual leader, or medical professional.

• Write down problems and come up with the best solution for each. A list helps assess and prioritize the issues that need to be addressed.

• Set realistic goals and expectations.

• Get enough sleep and stick to a regular sleep schedule.

• Maintain a positive attitude and perspective.

• Go on holiday.

• Regular exercise and more physical activity.

Conclusion:

It is normal to feel stressed at times. Long-term stress can affect health, emotional symptoms, and behaviors. Try to reduce and manage stress in simple ways. If a person is feeling overwhelmed, talk to the doctor. Kidney disease is often caused in people with a great amount of stress, and management of the same can prevent long-term effects on health as it can affect other body organs as well.