How Does Diabetes Affect the Kidneys?

How do high blood sugar levels damage the kidneys?

• Due to high blood sugar levels, the glomeruli get narrow and clogged. This prevents the blood from passing through the blood vessels, thus damaging the kidney. Damaged kidneys allow albumin (a type of protein) to leak into the urine, which was originally used to pass through the filters.
• Diabetes also damages the nerves which carry messages between the brain and the urinary bladder. Due to the damaged nerves, the person is unable to feel if their bladder is full, which puts extra pressure on the kidneys.
• When the urine stays in the bladder for a long time, it increases the risk of getting a urinary tract infection. The high sugar levels in the urine, allow infection-causing bacteria to grow in the urine at a rapid rate

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What are the signs of kidney damage?

• Swelling of ankles, feet and hands
• Frothy, bubbly urine (due to the presence of albumin in it)
• Blood in the urine (rare)
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Persistent fatigue

What can be done to manage the kidney damage caused by diabetes?

1. Monitor the blood sugar levels

Keeping the blood sugar levels in a healthy range can help in protecting the kidneys from further damage. One must keep checking their blood sugar levels regularly using a blood glucose meter or get an HbA1c test done, which gives an average level of blood sugar over the past 3 months.

2. Adopt healthy eating habits

To keep blood sugar levels under control, a diabetic must indulge in healthy eating habits which include adding lots of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and lean protein to the diet and reducing the consumption of sugary and highly refined foods such as cookies, crackers, and soda. Diabetics must consume smaller meals at a time, spread through the day. Consume less salt, as the high sodium content of the salt, would cause fluid to build up in the body.

3. Quit using tobacco and limit alcohol

Quit smoking or chewing tobacco as they can worsen kidney damage. Reduce the consumption of alcohol significantly to an occasional indulgence, to avoid any damage to the kidneys.

4. Exercise regularly

Being active helps the body to use insulin better, thus keeping blood sugar levels under control. Practising moderate-intensity exercises for at least 30 minutes every day can help a diabetic person attain a healthy weight. Those who do not wish to go to the gym can work out in their houses by taking stairs instead of elevators, going for an after-dinner walk or just walk briskly.

5. Control blood pressure

Diabetic people with high blood pressure are at increased risk of getting kidney disease. Hence one must keep their blood pressure under limits by consuming less salt and processed foods. Anti-hypertensive medications are given to some patients who do not respond to lifestyle changes.

6. Reduce cholesterol levels

High cholesterol levels in diabetic people increase their risk of developing kidney disease, heart disease and stroke later in life. Consume healthy fats found in eggs, chia seeds, avocados, fatty fish, olive oil and other food items.

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