What is atheroembolic renal disease?
This pathology occurs when tiny particles spread through the small blood vessels in the kidneys. These particles are made of, among other substances, solidified fat and cholesterol.
Symptoms of atheroembolic kidney disease
First of all, it should be noted that the disease may be asymptomatic. If symptoms are present, they may occur all at once or slowly worsen over weeks or months. These symptoms may include:
- Blindness
- Fever, muscle aches, headaches, and weight loss
- Flank pain
- Foot pain
- High blood pressure
- Abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting
What are the causes of atheroembolic kidney disease?
Atheroembolic kidney disease is closely related to atherosclerosis. This pathology is common in arteries. It occurs when fat, cholesterol and other substances build up on the walls of the arteries and form a hard substance, called plaque.
In this pathology, cholesterol crystals break away from the plaque lining in the arteries and move into the bloodstream. When in circulation, the crystals latch onto small blood vessels (called arterioles). There, they reduce blood flow to the tissues and cause swelling and tissue pain, which can injure the kidney or other parts of the body.
Atheroembolic kidney disease is closely related to atherosclerosis.
Can it be prevented?
There are some factors that help to reduce the risk of suffering from the disease:
- If you are overweight, lose weight.
- Quit smoking or reduce the amount of tobacco.
- Follow medical recommendations to control diabetes and arterial hypertension.
- Decrease dietary fats, especially saturated fats, to reduce blood lipid levels.
What is the treatment?
There is no treatment for atheroembolic kidney disease that works properly. Therefore, treatment focuses on managing the complications of organ damage.
Medications may be used to treat high blood pressure and lower lipid and cholesterol levels.
In addition, the physician may recommend other lifestyle changes, such as increasing exercise or losing weight. Smoking cessation is paramount.