Diabetes and CKD

Diabetes is a disease in which body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot utilize normal amounts of insulin well. Insulin is a hormone that helps control body's blood sugar level and metabolism.

How diabetes affects kidneys?

Diabetes is referred to as sugar disease. Let’s go on a ride with glucose. Glucose comes from the carbohydrates, we intake in the form of delicious food. Then glucose travels through the blood to get into our cells. Glucose can enter our cells only when insulin has unlocked the door of cells. Insulin is secreted by a gut organ named Pancreas. Glucose really has a tough journey.

In people with diabetes, glucose gets trouble entering cells. Diabetes Type 1 where the pancreas fails in secreting enough insulin. Diabetes type 2 where the pancreas performs its duty but cells in muscles, fat, and liver become stubborn resulting in resistance to insulin. So in both situations, sufficient insulin is unable to reach cells, and hence glucose cannot enter the cells. This person with low energy, tiredness, and hunger. This condition is termed high blood glucose.

High blood glucose damages arteries which lead to hypertension. Diabetes and hypertension unitedly give invitation to kidney diseases, stroke, heart failure, vessel damages, etc. Abiding by the law of dependence and interconnection, one failure leads to another failure. Due to diabetes, blood vessels too are damaged.

Diabetes affect kidney and make it sick and less efficient, then that situation is termed as Diabetic kidney disease.

Kidneys filter wastes and extra water out of blood to make urine. Kidneys also help in regulating blood pressure and produce hormones that the body requires to stay healthy.

When kidneys are damaged, they are unable to filter waste properly which causes wastes to build up in body.

How does diabetes damage kidneys?

Diabetes can harm the kidneys by causing damage to:

Blood vessels inside your kidneys.The kidneys are packed with tiny blood vessels and high sugar levels in the blood can cause these vessels to become narrow and congested. With lack of enough blood, the kidneys become damaged and albumin passes through these filters and ends up in the urine.
Nerves in your body. Nerves are carrier of coded messages between brain and all other parts of body, including bladder. They signal brain to inform when bladder is full. But if the nerves are damaged, you may not be able to feel when your bladder is full. The pressure of full bladder can injure kidneys.
Urinary tract.If urine resides in bladder for a longer time, then there are chances of urinary tract infection. This is due to bacteria. They grow quickly in urine with a high sugar level. These infections affect the bladder and often spread to the kidneys.

How to prevent diabetic kidney disease or manage it better??

Control blood sugar
Control blood pressure
Control cholesterol
Eat healthy
Quit smoking
Be active
Maintain healthy weight

Control your blood sugar

Maintaining blood sugar in a healthy range helps in protecting kidneys. Healthy foods, staying active, and certain medicines can aid in keeping a healthy blood sugar level.

Blood test haemoglobin A1C tells about how blood sugar levels have been over the last two or three months. Generally it is advised that people with diabetes should have an A1C less than 7%.

In most cases, diabetes patients should target for a blood sugar level:

Between 80 mg/dL and 130 mg/dL before eating
Less than 180 mg/dL about two hours after eating

Blood sugar can be too high or it can also be too low. If blood sugar is too low, it can be increased by:

Eating a glucose tablet,
Raisins
hard candy or honey
Drinking fruit juice, milk or a sugary drink

Consult doctor if your blood sugar is often too high or too low.

Control blood pressure

High blood pressure is a very common cause of kidney failure. Having diabetes and high blood pressure can elevate more chances of getting kidney disease and heart disease.

A healthy blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg (120 over 80).

Control cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy fat, or lipid, which travels throughout the body in blood. Having high cholesterol and diabetes can lead to kidney disease, heart disease or a stroke. High cholesterol diabetic kidney disease gets worse faster.

There are two types of cholesterol: HDL (“good” cholesterol) and LDL (“bad” cholesterol).

For most people, healthy cholesterol levels are:

Total cholesterol less than 200 mg/dL
HDL more than 40 mg/dL
LDL less than 100 mg/dL

Triglycerides are also important.

Triglycerides are fats from the food we eat that are carried in the blood.

A healthy triglyceride level is less than 150 mg/dL.

Consult your doctor about what the cholesterol and triglycerides levels should be and how can it be controlled.

Eat healthy

Food causes blood sugar to change. Eating healthy foods can help in keeping blood sugar at a healthy level. Instead of eating one big meal, try eating small meals and eating more often. This can help in managing diabetes and prevent other health problems.

Quit smoking

Tobacco consumption can make kidney problems worse. Quitting can help lower your chance of acquiring kidney disease or help keep kidney disease from getting worse.

Stay active

Staying active will make insulin utilization better. This helps in maintaining good blood sugar level. Activity helps in controlling blood pressure and cholesterol.

Take small moves in staying active.

Take stairs instead of the elevator
Go for a walk after dinner
Enjoy dancing
Swimming
Play favourite sports

Consult your doctor before starting any exercise plan.

Stay at a healthy weight

A healthy weight aids in controlling blood sugar and lowers your chances of getting kidney disease. If overweight, losing few pounds can make a big difference in staying fit.