Diabetes is one of the most common health conditions affecting millions of people worldwide. While it’s well known for its impact on blood sugar levels, diabetes can also lead to serious complications with many other parts of the body, including the kidneys. Understanding how diabetes affects kidney health and what can be done to prevent damage is crucial for those living with the condition. You can connect with Neotia Getwel Multispecialty Hospital for the best medical assistance and 24/7 emergency care.

What Do the Kidneys Do?

Your kidneys are essential organs in your body. They are about the size of a fist and you have two of them. Their primary role is to filter your blood. Each day, your kidneys process around 50 gallons of blood, removing waste products and excess fluids, which leave the body through urine. They also help balance important minerals and chemicals in the blood, control blood pressure and make hormones that help produce red blood cells.

When your kidneys are healthy, they do their job without any issues. However, if they become damaged, they can't filter the blood as effectively, which can lead to dangerous health problems.

How Does Diabetes Affect the Kidneys?

Diabetes can cause a condition known as diabetic nephropathy, which means kidney disease caused by diabetes. This happens when high blood sugar damages the small blood vessels and filtering units (called nephrons) in the kidneys.

Here’s how it happens:

1. High Blood Sugar Damage: If your blood sugar stays too high for long periods, it can damage the small blood vessels in your kidneys. Over time, these vessels become stiff or clogged, making it hard for the kidneys to filter blood properly.

2. Pressure in the Kidneys: Along with damaging blood vessels, high blood sugar can also increase the pressure inside the kidneys. This added pressure can harm the kidney’s delicate filters, causing leaks. As a result, proteins, which should stay in the blood, leak into the urine. This is one of the early signs of kidney damage.

3. Progression to Kidney Disease: If not managed, the damage can continue, leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and eventually kidney failure. This is when the kidneys stop working altogether and require either dialysis (a machine that filters the blood) or a kidney transplant.

Stages of Diabetic Kidney Disease

Kidney disease from diabetes doesn’t happen all at once. It typically progresses in stages:

1. Stage 1: The kidneys are still working well, but small amounts of protein are starting to leak into the urine.

2. Stage 2: More protein leaks into the urine and the kidney's ability to filter the blood starts to decrease.

3. Stage 3: The kidneys filter less efficiently and waste products begin to build up in the blood. You might feel tired or unwell.

4. Stage 4: Significant kidney damage has occurred. At this point, a person may need to prepare for dialysis or a kidney transplant.

5. Stage 5: This is known as kidney failure, where the kidneys are no longer able to do their job. Dialysis or a transplant is necessary to stay alive.

Early Symptoms of Kidney Damage

The scary thing about kidney disease is that there are often no noticeable symptoms in the early stages. By the time someone experiences symptoms, significant damage may have already occurred. Some early warning signs include:

• Swelling in the legs, ankles, feet or hands (due to fluid buildup).
• Foamy or bubbly urine (from protein leakage).
• Difficulty concentrating or feeling tired (from waste buildup in the blood).
• Increased need to urinate, especially at night.

If you have diabetes, it’s essential to get your kidneys checked regularly with a urine test and blood test. These tests can detect early signs of kidney damage, even before symptoms appear.

Ways to Prevent Kidney Damage from Diabetes

The good news is that kidney damage from diabetes can often be prevented or slowed down. Here are some steps you can take to protect your kidneys:

1. Control Your Blood Sugar:

The most important thing you can do to protect your kidneys is to keep your blood sugar within a healthy range. Regularly monitoring your blood sugar, taking prescribed medications and following a healthy diet can help prevent kidney damage.

2. Manage Your Blood Pressure:

High blood pressure puts extra stress on the kidneys. Aim to keep your blood pressure within the target range your doctor recommends. Medications, diet changes and exercise can help control your blood pressure.

3. Follow a Kidney-Friendly Diet:

Your diet plays a huge role in managing diabetes and protecting your kidneys. Here are some tips:

• Reduce salt intake to prevent high blood pressure.
• Limit protein in your diet if your doctor suggests it. Too much protein can strain damaged kidneys.
• Focus on whole grains, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats like those found in fish and nuts.
• Drink enough water but avoid sugary drinks and sodas.

4. Quit Smoking:

Smoking can worsen kidney damage and increase the risk of other diabetes complications. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your kidney health.

5. Take Medications as Prescribed:

Some medications can help protect the kidneys, which helps lower blood pressure and reduce kidney stress. Always follow your doctor’s advice and take your medications as prescribed.

6. Regular Check-ups:

Even if you feel fine, regular check-ups with your doctor are crucial. They can monitor your kidney function with tests and adjust your treatment plan if necessary.

7. Stay Active:

Regular physical activity helps keep your blood sugar levels stable and lowers blood pressure. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week, like walking, cycling, or swimming.

Conclusion

Diabetes is a serious condition, but you can take steps to protect your kidneys and reduce your risk of kidney disease. By controlling your blood sugar, managing your blood pressure, eating a balanced diet, and following your doctor’s advice, you can keep your kidneys healthy and avoid long-term damage. If you have diabetes, it’s important to be proactive about your health and stay informed. Regular check-ups, tests, and a healthy lifestyle can go a long way in preventing kidney disease and other complications. Take control of your health today and give your kidneys the necessary care! At Neotia Getwel Multispecialty Hospital, our team of experts is here to provide comprehensive care for kidney diseases. We are committed to helping our patients lead healthier, fuller lives.

Disclaimer

Though all attempts are made to provide correct information on the subject, inadvertent & typographical errors arising out of manual intervention cannot be ruled out. Any such discrepancies should be brought to the blogger's notice for correction.