Diabetes is one of the leading causes of kidney disease. And the high rate of diagnosis of diabetes in India is a major cause of concern for all kidney related disorders. The main function of the kidneys is to filter out all the waste and toxins from our blood and excrete them from our body through urine. They also control blood pressure and make certain hormones in our body. When our kidneys are damaged, they are not able to filter our blood which in turn leads to the formation of toxins in our body. Kidney diseases caused by diabetes usually take years to develop in the body and therefore certain measures can be taken to protect the kidneys and delay the damage.Also read – Weight loss will not increase the chances of pregnancy: study
Diabetes is a disease in which the body stops producing enough insulin or is unable to respond properly to insulin (develops immunity). Insulin is a hormone that regulates the amount of sugar in our bloodstream. For a person with diabetes, persistently high blood sugar can damage small blood vessels in their body and interfere with the functioning of various organs. It also damages the kidneys, causing a gradual decrease in their functions which leads to the accumulation of toxins in the body. Moreover, diabetes also damages the nerves in the body which makes it difficult for some to empty their bladder. A bladder that does not empty properly can put pressure on the kidneys and can also lead to urinary tract infections. Also read – Explained: What is Stealth Omicron that is spreading rapidly in China and how deadly is this sub variant
Symptoms of diabetic kidney disease
One of the early signs of diabetic kidney disease is an increase in the level of albumin in the urine. This is due to the increase in urine foam by diabetic patients. A urine test for microalbumin once a year should be an essential part of the assessment of anyone with diabetes. Increased blood pressure and weight gain (which can be an indicator of fluid retention) can also indicate kidney problems due to diabetes. Some diabetic patients who previously had normal blood sugar may suddenly start taking low blood sugar, which may also be a sign of early onset of kidney involvement. Also read – 3 quick and effective mini-workout routines for busy people
Ways for diabetics to take care of their kidneys:
- The best way to prevent kidney damage is to control a person’s diabetes levels. People with diabetes need to keep an eye on their blood sugar levels as advised by their doctors and keep up with all the lifestyle changes necessary to achieve those goals.
- Maintaining a person’s blood pressure is important.
- It is important to get immediate treatment for any urinary tract infection as well as to check for any problems with the urinary system.
- Developing healthy lifestyle habits is also a major factor in maintaining kidney health. Working with a dietitian for a proper diet, as well as physical activity and getting enough sleep should be a priority.
- Avoid tobacco – either chewing or smoking
- Avoid taking over the counter painkillers for a long time without consulting a doctor.
- It is also important to take regular medication as prescribed by the doctor in the treatment of both these problems and therefore it should be taken very seriously.
- Avoid unauthentic and unscientific solutions based on social media or the Internet. Talk to your doctor before making any changes
Continuous research is being done on the prevention and treatment of diabetes and kidney disease so that it is hoped that both diseases will be better understood and treated. Until then, however, we need to maintain a healthy lifestyle and get regular checkups to make sure our kidneys are healthy.
(Inputs by Dr. Avinash Ignatius, Noble Hospital, Pune)
