KDo you ever feel a surge of pain in your lower back? This could happen for various reasons and can even be caused by different parts of your body. Pain that originates underneath the ribcage
The habit of smoking has many ill effects on the body, and that’s no secret. Long-term smoking can lead to a future of lung disease and cancer, causing a life of medical maladies. It’s no wonder that smoking can harm other parts of your body as well.
What about the digestive system? Can smoking harm kidneys and the liver as well? According to DaVita’s Risk Factor Intervention Trial, smoking can have a far more direct impact on the kidneys than you know. It’s important to get treatment for your kidneys after many long years of smoking. Visit your local kidney disease specialist in LA to learn how to prevent long-term kidney damage.
While it did not come as a surprise to the medical community, recent studies have shown a strong correlation between smoking and chronic kidney disease. In fact, smoking poses many risk factors that exacerbate kidney disease symptoms.
Smoking adds harmful and cancerous toxins to the body. In addition, smoking:
Causes renal arteries to harden
Increases heart rate and blood pressure on a constant basis
Narrows the kidney’s blood vessels
Damages arteries and arterioles
Reduces the flow of blood to the kidneys
In addition, smoking can cause an excessive amount of protein to build up in the urine, making it difficult for the kidneys to process. This condition is known as proteinuria and requires professional and long-term treatment.
Smoking tobacco is harmful to other vital organs in the body as well. The World Health Organization has listed the biggest risks of smoking, which include lung and bladder cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, early menopause, and stroke. In order to prevent cancer or disease, you should consider reducing your smoking habits if you are at risk of kidney disease.
The likelihood of developing kidney disease is increased when you smoke. The act of smoking sends toxins into the bloodstream, disrupting its flow and reducing the rate at which it flows to the kidneys. This can make early symptoms of kidney disease grow even faster, requiring more urgent treatment.
The journey to quit smoking can be difficult, and you don’t have to go cold turkey in a day. Reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke and investing in alternative snack options can help you feel less dependent on this toxic substance. Here are some tips to get you started:
Set a date when you want to completely quit smoking by. Try to throw out all of your tobacco products in the meantime.
Find your favorite snacks and candy to help satisfy those smoking cravings. Gum, sunflower seeds, hard candy, and low-calorie snacks can really help you get rid of the urge to smoke.
Invest in meditation and deep-breathing exercises. This can help you remain level-headed as you go through the quitting process.
Talk to your doctor. Your specialist may prescribe nicotine patches and anti-smoking medication to help you get some relief.
Join a quitting support group. You don’t have to suffer alone. Join a group of people who are also trying to quit so you can support each other.
Smoking can put even the healthiest of kidneys at risk. If you are already prone to kidney disease, your smoking habits might be exacerbating your symptoms. Get in touch with your kidney specialist to invest in the best preventative treatments today.
You can take the necessary steps to stop smoking and improve the health of your kidneys today. Dr. Victor Gura is the best internist Los Angeles has to offer and you can schedule a one-on-one consultation to assess your health today. Get in touch with our staff and prevent kidney disease when you are proactive about your health and habits.
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