ACEs and Kidney Disease

Today, we want to shed light on a critical and often overlooked connection: the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and kidney disease. ACEs are traumatic events that occur before the age of 18, such as:
physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, neglect and/or household dysfunction (divorce, substance abuse, mental illness, incarceration) and community violence.

Many people don't realize that these experiences are not just emotional scars – they have profound physiological consequences that can manifest decades later.

Research has uncovered a startling link between high ACE scores and increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Here's what we're learning:

Chronic Stress and Physiological Changes: Repeated childhood trauma triggers prolonged stress responses, leading to:
- Elevated cortisol levels
- Chronic inflammation
- Dysregulated immune system
- Altered stress response pathways
- Epigenetic changes affecting kidney cell function
- Increased risk of hypertension and diabetes

We cannot change the past, but we can reshape the future. Recognizing the long shadow of ACEs on kidney health is a critical step toward prevention, early intervention, and more compassionate care. As advocates, healthcare providers, and community members, we have the power to tell our doctors about our ACEs.

Join Cepanoa Health to learn more.