Diabetes is a Silent Killer. Aside from producing blood sugar imbalances, it hollows down most organs from the inside. The eyes and kidneys are the organs most vulnerable to diabetes disease. Kidneys are essential for regulating fluid levels in the body. They are also in charge of producing hormones that regulate blood pressure.
Diabetes can have a variety of harmful effects on the kidneys. Blood sugar fluctuations tax the kidneys since they are in charge of excreting waste and toxins from the body. While genes definitely make you susceptible to kidney disease, connect to the best nephrologist in Hyderabad to have a check on diabetic kidney disease. Other factors in this kidney disorder are high blood pressure and steep blood glucose levels.
If you have recently developed diabetes, you will not have any kidney disease symptoms. This is because toxins in the body build up in those who have developed kidney malfunction. As a result, the patient feels unwell, loses appetite, has fluid retention, and can even suffer heart failure if left untreated.
Your kidneys become especially sensitive when you have diabetes, whether Type I or Type II. As a result, some patients have kidney disease within a decade, while others may experience it for up to 30 years. So let us begin to read several ways diabetes patients might lower their risk of kidney disease. And We will also try to understand diabetic kidney disease symptoms and measures to prevent it.
Table of Contents
What Is Diabetic Kidney Disease?
The kidney is the biological organ in charge of filtering waste and excess water from the blood, which is then expelled as urine. It also regulates blood sugar and creates vital hormones required for healthy health. The organ is essential for maintaining a healthy body.
When a person has diabetic kidney disease, their body cannot filter blood. This causes a dangerous waste buildup in the body, which leads to kidney failure. This, however, does not happen overnight. This stage is the result of a long period of unhealthy living. The following are some risk factors for diabetic kidney disease:
- Smoking
- Drinking
- Obesity
- Consuming a large amount of salt in your food
- Uncontrolled blood sugar levels
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure levels
Diabetic nephropathy, often known as diabetic kidney disease, is a kind of kidney disease caused by Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetic Nephropathy Symptoms (Diabetic Kidney Disease)
Initially, there are no symptoms of diabetic kidney disease. However, as time passes, people may begin to exhibit the following symptoms:
- Vomiting and nausea
- Appetite loss
- Retention of fluid (swelling of hands, feet, and face)
- Urination of protein
- Itchy, dry skin
- Fatigue
These are the same symptoms that eventually lead to kidney failure. If you feel and experience any of the following symptoms, you should see the best nephrologist in Hyderabad. Now let us look at the several ways to maintain diabetic kidney disease.
7 Ways To Maintain Diabetic Kidney Disease
Although there are medical methods available to treat diabetic nephropathies, such as kidney dialysis and kidney transplants, it is a prudent option to begin taking care of your kidneys to avoid the need for these treatments. So let us look at some simple strategies to prevent diabetic kidney disease and maintain your kidneys healthy.
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Keep Your Blood Sugar Levels In Check.
Keep a regular checkups on your blood sugar levels before and after lunch advised by your doctor. There are more exact methods for measuring blood sugar levels and insulin efficacy in the body. According to a diabetologist, A1C tests should be performed regularly. This blood test will assess your blood sugar levels during the last three months.
A high A1C level indicates that your blood sugar levels have risen over the last three months, putting you at risk of further issues. Maintain normal blood sugar levels to avoid diabetic kidney damage.
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Maintain Normal Blood Pressure Levels
A diabetic patient must keep their blood pressure below 140/90 mm Hg. High blood pressure causes strained blood vessels, eventually leading to diabetic nephropathy. Maintaining your blood pressure requires prescribed medicines by your doctor on time with a portion of nutritious food and regular exercise.
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Nutritious Diet
As with any disease, paying greater attention to your food increases your chances of never having a problem in life. Diabetic patients must construct an organized food plan that adheres to their daily energy requirements. Consume foods that are low in salt, fat, and animal protein.
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Take All Prescribed Medications Regularly
After years of being a diabetes patients and taking daily medication, many of us become self-proclaimed experts and quit following the doctor’s medication regimen. However, do not deviate from your medication schedule since this can result in an uneven effect on your body.
Consult your doctor regularly and take only prescribed medication. Self-medication and overuse of medical drugs are dangerous for health.
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Stress Management
You must maintain a positive attitude regarding your situation at all times. High amounts of stress eventually lead to high blood pressure, which directly impacts your kidneys. Deep breathing, meditation, yoga, and gardening are a few ways to relax when you are feeling overwhelmed by the dos and don’ts of diabetic life.
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Routine Medical Checkups
As previously said, you should have your diabetic kidney disease examined regularly. If you have Type 1 diabetes for more than five years or were just diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, you should have yourself tested twice a year or advised by your doctor. The most common methods include urine testing, A1C tests, biopsies, and imaging studies. Consult with the best diabetologist near me to properly understand your results.
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Maintain A Healthy Weight
Obesity is a significant cause of diabetes, which is a major cause of kidney damage. As a result, one should always keep their weight in check. Reduce your weight if you are overweight, and vice versa. A healthy physique is required for effective therapies; often, exercise and eat sensibly.
Tests To Identify Diabetic Kidney Disease
The kidney disorder diagnosis is based on abnormally high protein levels in the urine. Several tests, such as Serum Creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), can determine whether a person has kidney disease. However, these tests are not highly sensitive since they do not begin to change until the patient’s condition progresses. Other sensitive tests are creatinine clearance, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and urine albumin. Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) is considered a better measure of kidney function than creatinine. The urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) is also used to check for high protein in the urine (albuminuria).
In people with Type I (juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent) diabetes, an analysis of early kidney disease can be based on minimal amounts of protein in the urine (microalbuminuria). Specified procedures are needed to determine these small amounts of protein. When the protein levels in the urine become large enough to be detected by standard tests, the patient is said to have clinical diabetic kidney disease.
Final Words
Diabetic nephropathy is a serious kidney-related complication of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. It is also called diabetic kidney disease. Almost 10 to 40 percent of people with diabetes will develop Diabetic kidney disease. In the early stages, these kidney diseases have no known symptoms but keep checking the indicators to be cautious.
Diabetic kidney disease is a crippling demon that plagues many diabetic individuals. However, by doing the above procedures, you can lower your risks of acquiring a severe disease such as end-stage kidney failure. Consult the best nephrologist in Hyderabad for regular checkups and appropriate treatment. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and regularly prescribe medication to control diabetes and prevent diabetic kidney disease.
