Tobacco

The Impact of Tobacco on Kidney Function

Tobacco use has far-reaching effects on the body, and your kidneys are no exception. Smoking introduces harmful chemicals that can impair kidney function, increasing the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and other serious complications.

• Kidney Damage: Smoking accelerates kidney damage in individuals with existing kidney conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension.
• Reduced Kidney Function: Tobacco use can narrow blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the kidneys and impairing their ability to filter waste effectively.
• Increased Protein in Urine: Smoking is associated with higher levels of protein in the urine, an early sign of kidney damage.
Smoking and Kidney Disease Risk

Tobacco use significantly increases the risk of developing chronic kidney disease and other related health issues:

• High Blood Pressure: Smoking contributes to hypertension, one of the leading causes of kidney damage.
• Diabetes Complications: For individuals with diabetes, smoking can worsen kidney complications and accelerate disease progression.
• Risk of Kidney Cancer: Smokers are at a higher risk of developing kidney cancer compared to non-smokers.
Secondhand Smoke and Kidney Health
Exposure to secondhand smoke can also harm kidney health. The chemicals in secondhand smoke can increase the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular issues, both of which can negatively affect kidney function.

Benefits of Quitting for Kidney Health

The good news is that quitting tobacco can significantly improve kidney health and overall well-being:

• Slows Disease Progression: For individuals with CKD, quitting smoking can slow the progression of kidney damage.
• Improves Blood Flow: Stopping smoking helps restore healthy blood circulation, allowing the kidneys to function more efficiently.
• Lowers Risk of Kidney Cancer: Quitting reduces your risk of developing kidney cancer and other smoking-related illnesses.
Steps to Protect Your Kidneys
• Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water supports kidney function and flushes out toxins.
• Adopt a Kidney-Friendly Lifestyle: Combine quitting smoking with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and regular check-ups with your healthcare provider to protect your kidney health.
• Seek Support: Resources like smoking cessation programs and support groups can help you quit and protect your kidneys from further harm.

By quitting tobacco, you’re taking a vital step toward preserving your kidney health and improving your overall quality of life. Remember, it’s never too late to make a positive change for your kidneys and your future.

Click LEARN MORE in the boxes below for more information on the effects smoking has on the body.

Smoking and Deaths

Smoking and Chronic Disease

Smoking and Other Health Risks

Quitting and Reduced Risks

Smoking and Deaths

Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, responsible for more than 440,000 deaths annually—about one in every five deaths.

Smoking causes more deaths each year than:

  • HIV
  • Illegal drug use
  • Alcohol use
  • Motor vehicle injuries
  • Firearm-related incidents

Key statistics:

  • Smoking is the cause of about 90% of all lung cancer deaths in men and 80% in women.
  • More women die each year from lung cancer than from breast cancer.
  • Smoking is responsible for 90% of deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Smoking and Chronic Diseases

Cardiovascular Disease:

Cigarette smokers are at a higher risk for diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels:

  • Smoking causes stroke and coronary heart disease, two leading causes of death in the U.S.
  • It damages blood vessels, causing them to thicken and narrow, leading to higher blood pressure and faster heartbeats. Clots can form, increasing the risk of heart attack.
  • A heart attack occurs when a clot blocks blood flow to the heart, starving it of oxygen and causing muscle damage.
  • A stroke happens when a clot blocks blood flow to the brain or a blood vessel bursts.
  • Smoking also reduces blood flow to the legs and skin.

Respiratory Disease:

Smoking is a major cause of lung diseases by damaging airways and lung tissue:

  • It can cause COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
  • Smoking is responsible for most cases of lung cancer.
  • Tobacco smoke can worsen or trigger asthma attacks.
  • Smokers are 12 to 13 times more likely to die from COPD than nonsmokers.

Cancer:

Smoking can cause cancer almost anywhere in the body, including:

  • Bladder
  • Bone marrow and blood
  • Cervix
  • Esophagus
  • Kidneys and ureters
  • Larynx (voice box)
  • Lungs
  • Mouth, nose, and throat
  • Pancreas
  • Stomach
  • Trachea

If nobody smoked, one of every three cancer deaths in the United States would not happen.

Smoking and Other Health Risks

Cigarette smoking harms nearly every organ in the body and significantly impacts overall health.

  • Reproductive health: Smoking makes it harder for women to become pregnant and increases the risk of complications like preterm delivery, stillbirth, low birth weight, and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). In men, smoking can reduce sperm quality, leading to infertility and increased risks of birth defects and miscarriage.
  • Bone health: Smoking weakens bones, especially in postmenopausal women, increasing the likelihood of fractures and lower bone density.
  • Oral health: Smoking damages teeth and gums, leading to a higher risk of tooth loss.
  • Eye health: Smoking increases the risk of cataracts, which cause clouding of the eye’s lens and difficulty in seeing.
  • Diabetes: Smokers with diabetes may find it harder to control their blood sugar levels.

Quitting and Reduced Risks

Quitting smoking dramatically reduces cardiovascular and cancer risks:

  • 1 year after quitting: The risk of a heart attack drops significantly.
  • 2 to 5 years after quitting: The risk of stroke can fall to levels similar to a nonsmoker’s.
  • 5 years after quitting: The risks for cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and bladder decrease by 50%.
  • 10 years after quitting: The risk of lung cancer drops by half.

These improvements show how quitting smoking can quickly and significantly benefit long-term health.

For More Information visit Helpful Program

Freedom from Smoking