The Impact of Sleep Apnea on Kidneys

Several recent studies and reports prove that the kidneys are adversely affected by sleep apnea. These include:

• In a Taiwanese study from 2016, evidence for a connection between reduced blood oxygen and injuries to the kidneys was found.
• Research in 2008 and published in the Amerian Journal of Kidney Disease revealed sleep problems among kidney disease patients who use hemodialysis. More than half of the patients who use hemodialysis report sleep problems. Some wake up too early, and others have excessive daytime sleepiness.
• Secondary Nocturnal Enuresis or SNE has a connection with sleep apnea. Also known as bedwetting, SNE happens in adults who can control their bladders in the daytime but have difficulties as they sleep. SNE is caused by different problems, and two are snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
• Untreated kidney disease and sleep disorders increase blood pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and other health conditions. The kidney’s job is to preserve good blood pressure, and a lack of filtration of the blood by the kidneys and a lack of sleep will lead to hypertension.
• Diabetes is also a link between kidney dysfunction and poor sleep. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease, and almost one-fourth of all diabetics suffer from reduced kidney health.
• Studies led by Dr. McMullan and published in Kidney International proves that those with advanced CKD suffer from sleep disturbances. Because of CKD, there are reversals in day and night sleep patterns, trouble falling asleep, broken sleep cycles cause by sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. Sleep deprivation results in a decline in kidney function as evidenced by data from health studies.