Kidney and renal disease eventually affects all areas of the body. Kidneys filter toxins and waste from the blood that circulates throughout the body. When renal disease progresses and hinders kidneys from thoroughly filtering wastes, they build up within the body. This can lead to a variety of complications including a weakened immune system, heart disease and edema.
Blood Sugar Levels
The kidneys help to stabilize blood glucose levels. When kidney function is reduced, toxins and wastes remain in the blood. The kidneys regulate not only glucose levels but also water, minerals and hormones, such as insulin. The kidneys filter out excess amounts of glucose that accumulate in the blood. When a diabetic person's kidneys begin to fail, glucose levels begin to rise in the blood stream, says Medline Plus. Insulin levels may be affected as well. This can cause severe reactions such as diabetic coma or seizure.
Edema
Edema occurs when the kidneys produce less urine notes Medline Plus. When the kidneys become unable to filter excess sodium, wastes and fluid from the blood, the body stores them in tissues throughout the body. Uremia occurs when the kidneys do not work properly and toxins accumulate in the bloodstream. The hands, ankles and feet may begin to swell, causing a shortness of breath. Edema can also put extra stress on the heart and circulatory system.
Weakened Immune System
Along with the liver, kidneys work as filters for the body. They remove toxins and waste that they body creates. If the kidneys malfunction and the waste begins to build up in the blood and tissues, the immune system becomes overworked and weak, says the National Kidney Foundation. A weakened immune system can lead to infection and other illnesses. If the body's immunities stay low for extended periods of time, chronic conditions may worsen and cause more serious health problems.
Heart and Circulatory System
As the kidneys lose their ability to filter wastes from the blood, high levels of toxins and edema can weaken vital organs in the body. Excess fluid and waste can build up around the heart and cause the muscle to deteriorate, says Medline Plus. As the heart becomes more and more stressed, circulation can become sluggish, depriving the body and its cells of important nutrients. The blood can become overloaded with toxins and waste and allow infections to take hold throughout the body.
References
- Nursing Center: Renal Disease
- Medline Plus: Renal Disease Complications
- Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Balch; 2006
- National Kidney Foundation: What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?
