To What Extend Diabetes Affects Your Kidneys?
Diabetes does not remain confined to increased blood sugar.
Over the years, diabetes damages your kidneys silently.
Diabetes continues to be a leading cause of kidney failure.
Controlled sugar levels reduce disease progression.
However, it does not eliminate the risk.
Let’s understand the link between diabetes and kidney damage.
Early identification can be a preventive approach.
It can stop the progression of the disease to an end-stage kidney disorder.
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We are the leading nephrology drug manufacturer, exporting kidney medicines worldwide.
Our product portfolio consists of –
- Anti- diabetic combinations
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- Nephrology and diuretics
How does diabetes damage kidneys?
High blood sugar is often accompanied by high blood pressure.
The kidney damage occurs through several mechanisms –
Hyperfiltration and mechanical stress-
Chronic high sugars strain the tiny blood vessels.
It increases kidneys to work harder.
The kidneys stop filtering proteins.
The proteins leak into the urine.
Damaged blood vessels-
The increased glucose stiffens the blood vessels.
It thickens the blood and induces clogging.
Nerve damage-
It damages the nerves of the bladder.
It leads to buildup of back pressure on the kidneys.
It also increases the risk of UTI.
Scarring – The injury to the nephrons slowly leads to scarring.
It destroys the ability to filter blood.
What are early signs of kidney damage, a diabetic must never ignore?
- Foamy urine –
It indicates that the filtering capacity of the kidneys is damaged.
The kidney is not able to retain proteins.
The proteins are directly excreted into the urine.
- Edema –
It is the swelling in the feet, hands, and ankles. Puffy eyes.
It is caused when the kidney is not able to excrete the excess fluid or sodium.
It leads to water retention.
The excess fluid leaks from the blood capillaries.
- Increased urination at night
In conditions of high sugar, the body excretes excess sugar through the urine.
It increases urination. It leads to water depletion.
It increases strain on the kidney cells.
It can damage nephrons.
- Persistent high blood pressure-
Kidneys regulate blood pressure.
It filters out excess salts and water.
Any damage to the kidneys decreases their capacity to filter.
It increases blood pressure.
- Unusual weight gain
A person gains excess weight due to fluid retention.
It is not the muscle weight; it’s the weight of the water retained in the body.
Long-term warning signs –
- Weakness /fatigue –
Kidneys produce a hormone that forms blood.
The damage to the kidney leads to reduced formation of blood.
It leads to –
- Anemia
- Chronic weakness
- Changes in taste, nausea –
The unfiltered blood leads to toxin buildup in the blood.
It causes metallic taste or vomiting.
- Edema in the lungs
Fluid builds up in the lungs.
It causes difficulty in breathing.
It leads to shortness of breath.
- Muscle cramps /pain-
Altered kidney filtration leads to electrolyte imbalance.
It leads to increased potassium and magnesium, and low calcium.
Acid- base imbalance.
- Increased Insulin Levels-
Kidneys break down insulin.
The damaged kidneys are not able to metabolize insulin.
It causes an increased level of insulin.
Conclusion –
Know your kidneys; kidney disease is silent.
The damage reaches the advanced stages before the usual symptoms appear.
The early sign is often albuminuria, which starts many years before symptoms.
For a diabetic, it becomes more important to have regular monitoring of the kidneys.
