Impact of COVID-19 on Chronic Kidney Disease [CKD] Patients

In these challenging times of the COVID pandemic, taking care of your health is more important than ever. Comorbidities have been found to increase the risk of a patient contracting the virus and becoming critically ill. People suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease can have unfavorable outcomes if they contract coronavirus.

A recent study was conducted on Chronic Kidney Disease patients. Certain research established that CKD is one of the critical risk factors in COVID-19 mortality.

These researches revealed that people who are critically impacted by the COVID-19 virus and have any kidney impairment have high mortality rates. This mortality rate may aggravate with more severe stages of kidney damage.

What is Chronic Kidney Disease?

The term Chronic Kidney Disease refers to conditions characterized by the gradual loss of kidney function. In this disease, the kidney may get damaged progressively over time.

However, a Chronic Kidney Disease [CKD] may not become apparent to you until your kidney function is significantly impaired. You can develop certain complications like high blood pressure, anemia, weak bones, and nerve damage.

Chronic Kidney Disease is one of the most common problems in India, as one in ten people are estimated to be suffering from Chronic Kidney Disorder. Every year 1,75,000 new cases of CKD are reported in India, severe enough to need dialysis.

What causes Chronic Kidney Disease?

Diabetes and high blood pressure are among the root causes of chronic kidney disease. Our kidney contains about one million tiny filtering units called nephrons. Any disease that injures the nephrons can cause severe kidney disease. These conditions include:

Type 1 or type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Prolonged obstruction of the urinary tract
Recurrent kidney infections also called pyelonephritis

COVID-19 and Kidney Damage

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, but it can also take a toll on your kidneys. COVID-19 could be harmful to your kidneys if you have any underlying kidney problems. Certain studies show that SARS-CoV-2 is likely to target your kidneys.

SARS receptors enter the cellular membrane of cells lining the kidneys, lungs, and arteries. Once SARS-CoV 2 enters the kidney cells, severe damage can occur. Your immune system can also spark an inflammatory response once it recognizes the viral particles.

This response can further cause harm to health issues. Hence, a large proportion of people with COVID-19 develop kidney disease.

Do people with Chronic Kidney Disease have high chances of getting COVID-19?

People with Chronic Kidney Disease may have a high risk of contracting the COVID virus. There are certain conditions that can aggravate the risk of getting COVID-19. These conditions include:

The chances get high if your immune system is weak.
People on dialysis usually have weaker immune systems, making it harder to fight infections. They can easily catch virus infections.
People with kidney transplants take anti-rejection medicines. These medicines can work by keeping the immune system less active. Therefore, making it harder for you to fight the virus.
Acute Renal Failure [AKI] occurs when kidney damage is severe enough that the organ can no longer filter the blood properly. This impairment can cause waste products to build up in the blood. This, make it harder for your kidneys to work and maintain the fluid balance in the body.

However, if you contract the virus that causes COVID-19, you are at a greater risk of severe illness. The virus can cause further decline in kidney function. The risk may get even higher if you have other chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease.

How can COVID-19 damage your kidneys?

The impact of COVID-19 on the kidneys is not yet clear. However, the possible effects that this virus has on your kidneys are:

The virus can infect your kidney cells by causing potential damage to the tissues.
Coronavirus patients have abnormally low oxygen levels in their blood, which causes kidney problems.
Kidney’s screen out toxins, and waste products from the body. COVID-19 can cause tiny clots to form in the bloodstream, which can clog the smallest blood vessels in the kidneys which indirectly impairs their functioning.

Treatment if you contract COVID-19 with CKD

It is vital to get adequate treatment if you contract the virus and already have Chronic Kidney Disease. The virus can attack your kidney and can worsen your condition.

Therefore, it is essential to follow the right treatment after consultation with your kidney specialist. You may follow the below-mentioned steps.

Medications

Since people with kidney diseases depend on medicine to stay healthy, it is essential to take extra care of your body. People who had a kidney transplant can continue taking their anti-rejection medicines.

However, you should only take those medications which are prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not change the medicine without consulting your healthcare provider.

Dialysis

Patients who are on dialysis and who have contracted COVID-19 are considered to be at high risk. In the case when your symptoms are mild, you can go to your dialysis center for your scheduled treatment, as it is vital to immediately start your treatment if you are on dialysis. Blood filtration by a dialysis machine can help keep your immune system strong.

We at Patiala Heart Institute have a fully-equipped state-of-the-art dialysis unit. We offer world-class dialysis facilities supported by a dedicated team of nephrologists.

Since people with CKD are more likely to develop severe COVID-19 infections, it is vital to take all kinds of precautions to prevent infection. Here are some of the ways that can help reduce your chances of developing COVID-19.

Avoid crowds and maintain a distance in public places
Wear a high-quality mask or double mask in the public
Wash your hands properly with soap
As an add on safety, you should carry a hand sanitizer with you while leaving the house
Try and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you have washed your hands
Clean and disinfect those things you often feel, such as door handles, phone cases, and the steering wheel of your car.

Stay focused on your overall well-being.

Managing a chronic illness can be exhausting. You can also build your support team to help you stay on track with healthy habits and proper treatment.

Having support can help you stay optimistic or focused on your kidney health and keep up with managing other underlying conditions. You can follow certain steps that will keep your kidney health on track.

Ensure that you schedule regular appointments with your kidney specialist.
Eat a healthy diet and try some form of daily exercises
Get an adequate amount of quality sleep for your better health
Follow your doctor’s recommendations to prevent kidney failure

Regular checkups

Scheduling regular checkups with your doctor will keep your health in check. Your doctor will provide the best care, especially in this tough time of the COVID pandemic. Therefore, regular visits to your doctor can help you keep complete track of your health.

Patiala Heart Institute: Best Kidney Specialist Hospital in Patiala

Get the most advanced kidney care from the best kidney specialists in Patiala. Our dedicated team of nephrologists offers the best treatment to every patient. We follow a holistic approach for various kidney conditions.

Get a better sense of kidney health by consulting kidney specialists at Patiala Heart Institute.