COVID-19 and the Increased Risk of Kidney Disease

According to a Rutgers New Jersey Medical School study, those who have survived COVID-19 are at an increased risk of kidney disease. This is significant due to various factors that make many people already at risk for kidney disease.[1]

Such factors include:

• High Blood Pressure
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Being of African American, Hispanic, Native American, or Asian descent
• 60 years or older
• Heart problems or have had a stroke
• Family history of kidney disease[2]

Controlling these risk factors is essential, and comes with healthy eating, exercise, and limiting alcohol consumption. Overwork, or working too many hours, can lead to stress, which contributes towards high blood pressure. Known medications of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, can damage the kidneys if overused. A common alternative would be to use Tylenol. A condition called vasculitis, which inflames blood vessels, also puts people at risk for kidney disease. [3] COVID-19 is known to cause severe inflammation.[4]

If you have been put at an increased risk of kidney disease or have experienced kidney failure (after contracting COVID-19), tied with work-related conditions, consider filing a workers’ compensation claim. Our firm is fully operational during this time and here to help with virtual consultations by phone or video. Please call (973)-943-4106 to speak with an experienced representative.

Sources

[1] Verbanas, Patti. “Rutgers Is Study Site for Monitoring and Predicting Kidney Risk in COVID-19 Patients.” Rutgers Is Study Site for Monitoring and Predicting Kidney Risk in COVID-19 Patients | Rutgers University, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 16 Sept. 2020, www.rutgers.edu/news/rutgers-study-site-monitoring-and-predicting-kidney-risk-covid-19-patients.

[2] “Risk Factors of Kidney Disease.” Kidney Health Australia, Kidney Health Australia, kidney.org.au/your-kidneys/know-your-kidneys/know-the-risk-factors.

[3] Howley, Elaine K. “A Patient’s Guide to Kidney Disease.” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report L.P., 7 Nov. 2019, health.usnews.com/conditions/kidney-disease.

[4] Verbanas, Patti. “Rutgers Is Study Site for Monitoring and Predicting Kidney Risk in COVID-19 Patients.” Rutgers Is Study Site for Monitoring and Predicting Kidney Risk in COVID-19 Patients | Rutgers University, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 16 Sept. 2020, www.rutgers.edu/news/rutgers-study-site-monitoring-and-predicting-kidney-risk-covid-19-patients.