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Air pollution not only affects our lungs and breathing, but can also damage our kidney health. Read on to know how exactly the toxic air affects our renal system.
Air pollution side effects are not only restricted to the lungs and our respiratory system. It affects all our organs in ways we probably fail to understand. Breathing is something we do without thinking much about it assuming the air around us is healthy. But what if the air we breathe isn’t as safe as we assume? From our first breath to reaching important organs, polluted air is causing more trouble than we realize. Poor air quality may lead to significant renal adverse effects that have hitherto rarely received sufficient consideration.
Kidneys are not primarily related to processing pollutants in the air. However, inhaling these substances has side effects.
HOW AIR POLLUTION AFFECTS KIDNEY HEALTH?
Surprisingly enough, the kidney, which plays a critical role in expelling out waste and unnecessary fluids from the blood to produce urine, becomes the unintentional sufferer of air pollution. India,com spoke to experts in understanding the link between air pollution and kidneys. Dr. Swapnil Mehta – Pulmonologist, Dr. LH Hiranandani Hospital, Powai, exclusively explained to that pollution studies reveal the relation between exposure and the probability of experiencing kidney disorders such as CKD and renal failure. These toxic airs will impair the fragile filtering system of the kidney.
Science also states that, the response due to inhalation of polluted air results in kidney oxidative stress and further inflammation. The presence of pollutants might also lead to hypertension and diabetes which are very important in the development of renal diseases. This is a slow process that is often sneaky, and it’s not until there is an indication of kidney dysfunctions that this becomes evident. Further, Dr Prakash Chandra Shetty, Urologist, Hiranandani Hospital, Powai, Mumbai also enlisted different ways how air pollution affects our organs and kidneys.
- Deposition in the Respiratory Tract: Fine particles pass via bronchi and bronchioles and enter into the respiratory system which can damage and inflame respiratory tissues. This can trigger illnesses like bronchitis and exacerbate pre-existing respiratory conditions like asthma.
- Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is one of the main factors for kidney diseases which is lined with air pollution. This can harm blood vessels in the kidney making it tough to function smoothly.
- Cardiovascular Effects: Air pollution is known to have an impact on heart and kidney health both. One of the conditions known as Atherosclerosis, or the hardening of the arteries can affect the kidney’s blood flow
- Diabetes Risk: Some air pollutants have been linked to developing a higher chance of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes’s tendency to progressively damage the kidney’s small blood vessels over time makes it a major reason for chronic kidney disease.
- Oxidative Stress: This occurs when the body’s levels of free radicals and antioxidants, which are triggered by pollution, become unbalanced. Kidney damage can be increased by oxidative stress.
TIPS TO IMPROVE KIDNEY HEALTH
However, it all begins with an acknowledgment that indeed air pollution poses a real threat to kidney health. The ways of improving our kidney health include;
- implementing strategies to enhance indoor air quality like humidifiers, keep the inside surroundings clean.
- Reducing exposure to outdoor pollutants
- Advocating for sustainable environmental policies.
- Eat an immunity-boosting diet especially that enhances kidney health.
- Keep yourself hydrated to better flush out the toxic substances from the body.
The delicate tie between air quality and kidney health must be paid attention to in the big weave of health. In doing so, we have to guard ourselves as closely against the invisible dangers that are all around us, that we filter out of the air when we inhale. Comprehending this covert linkage impels us to lobby for a more breathable atmosphere not only for our lungs but also for the mute soldiers, and our kidneys, ceaselessly fighting off our inner environment.
Let’s breathe in mindfulness and weed out the poisons that endanger our vital organs in a bid for a healthier future.
