Do you know how well your kidneys are doing? People often don't realise how healthy their kidneys are until the symptoms become unbearable and they can no longer ignore them. Unfortunately, there has been a concerning trend in recent years: an increasing number of women are experiencing kidney problems which are often linked with underlying medical conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure and polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD). These medical conditions have the potential to suddenly take over, impair kidney function and result in chronic kidney disease.

In a conversation with The Daily Jagran, Dr. Saurabh Khiste, Consultant Nephrology, Manipalspitals Baner, Pune explained how PCOD, high BP and obesity cause kidney damage in women.

The Hidden Link Between PCOD And Kidney Damage

Many women in their reproductive years suffer from PCOD, a hormonal condition that is commonly linked to irregular menstruation cycles, unwanted hair growth and ovarian cysts. However, insulin resistance is associated with PCOD, increasing the incidence of Type 2 Diabetes in women. High blood sugar levels over time can harm the kidneys' tiny blood capillaries and hinder their ability to filter waste. This indicates that chronic metabolic disorders associated with PCOD increase the risk of kidney disease in certain women, particularly when paired with other risk factors.

ALSO READ: Kidney Disease Symptoms Women Shouldn’t Ignore: Doctor Shares Early Warning Signs

High Blood Pressure And Kidney Damage

One of the main factors contributing to kidney impairment is hypertension. A persistently high blood pressure in the coronary arteries causes the kidneys to work harder which damages the nephrons, the kidneys' filtering units. The risk increases for women who already have PCOD because they typically have a combination of hormone imbalances, elevated blood pressure, and insulin resistance. Chronically high blood pressure will cause irreversible kidney failure, necessitating dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Obesity's Role In Accelerating Kidney Damage

Being overweight is a metabolic stressor in along with being an aesthetic concern. Fat tissue releases pro-inflammatory chemicals that directly harm kidney structures, and obesity raises the risk of high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, the two main causes of chronic kidney disease. Obesity in some women may be exacerbated by other medical disorders, such as diabetes, hypertension and PCOD which interact to further impair kidney function.

ALSO READ: Is Your Workplace Slowly Harming Your Kidneys Without You Knowing It? Doctor Shares Insights

Ways Of Diagnosis And Treatment

Early detection of kidney issues is important. Kidney problems can only be detected by blood and urine testing before symptoms appear. Once kidney function is compromised, treatment options may include medication-assisted blood pressure control, blood sugar regulation, or, if clinically appropriate, hormonal changes.