by: Jada
Health is not merely just the absence of illness or disease, but “A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being” (WHO). Our emotions play a large part in not only informing our mental health, but our social and physical health as well. When we are emotionally charged or under a constant state of stress due to life events, our immune system’s ability to operate efficiently against pathogens decreases, making us more vulnerable to certain diseases or illnesses. You’re probably wondering though: how do our emotions have anything to do with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?
Our kidneys are in charge of filtering out waste from our bloodstream and CKD is the gradual loss of the kidney’s function over time. Two of the most common causes of all CKD cases are diabetes and hypertension (⅔ of all cases). More importantly, CKD is referred to as the “Silent killer” as 9 out of 10 people living with this condition are not even aware that they have it (National Kidney Foundation)! Symptoms of CKD include fatigue, poor appetite, trouble sleeping, swollen feet and ankles, abnormal levels of urination, and dry, itchy skin. You may be at a higher risk of developing CKD if you have diabetes, hypertension, a family history of kidney disease, are older, or if you are a racial minority. But the good news is: early detection and prevention methods can decrease your chances of possessing CKD in its later stages that lead to kidney failure.
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