Gout and Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) limits the amount of waste filtration your body is capable of processing. Uric acid is not seen as a foreign matter to the body, therefore is usually last to be dealt with from a toxin filtering standpoint. This can allow for uric acid build-up, and, in turn, the increased likelihood of developing Gout. The medications used to treat kidney disease have also been associated with drug-induced cases of Gout. Diuretics and beta blockers are typically used for kidney disease induced high blood pressure and are well known to contribute to Gout development.

There is enough scientific research to confirm that kidney disease can cause Gout. How about the opposite? Can Gout lead to kidney disease? The chicken or the egg? Uric acid is filtered through the kidneys, an undeniable relation to both diseases. While this connection may be less established, the evidence is certainly present. Each condition is well-equipped to feed the other.

Alternatively, if Gout happens to precede kidney disease, we can look towards the possibility of this damage being caused by uric acid crystals; and/or the medications used to treat the Gout. As uric acid crystals pass through the kidneys, they can cause scarring and damage. If left untreated, kidney stones, kidney disease and renal impairment/failure becomes a real threat. Some of the most commonly used prescription drugs, NSAIDS, have also been linked to acute kidney injury.

As we all well know, Gout can be quite painful and unpredictable. When the attack is present, the feeling of despair can be overwhelming. However, once it passes, we tend to become rather complacent about trying to get to the root of the problem. This can be very dangerous. Not only does the regularity of these Gout attacks tend to increase over time, so does the stress and damage to other systems of the body; especially to the renal system. At the root of these bodily malfunctions lies ongoing low-grade inflammation and an increased risk of further damage. Inflammation is systemic. Since it cannot be contained or limited to specific areas of the body, it’s widespread “wild-fire” can wreak havoc all over the body and be extremely difficult to control.

According to a new study, published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology, people with gout are almost 80 percent more likely to die from kidney disease compared to those who do not have gout. Digestive disease, cardiovascular disease, and infections were also relatively common reasons for death among those with Gout.

In order to address these conditions and further threats to your health, you must address the underlying link of chronic inflammation. In order to avoid Gout attacks and Kidney Disease, we must maintain healthy blood pressure and blood sugar levels. We must keep a healthy weight. We must approach ALL of the above with the intent to rid of the constant low-lying inflammation by addressing and changing our diet, lifestyle, and meeting our supplemental needs.