Diabetic Kidney Disease

What is Diabetic Kidney Disease?

A high percentage of people with diabetes (Type 1 & 2) end up with some damage to their kidneys. This condition, also known as diabetic nephropathy, occurs when the nephrons in the kidneys work overtime in expelling glucose from the blood. When the blood sugar levels increase frequently, they also damage the blood vessels in the kidneys. This is a serious and life-threatening condition and is usually progressive if not treated actively.

What are some Common Symptoms of Diabetic Kidney Disease to watch out for?

Diabetic kidney disease may not have any symptoms in its early stages. Or they may be indistinct and vague like feelings of tiredness and having low energy. And when the symptoms do start occurring with a decrease in the functioning of the kidneys, they are different for everybody depending on the severity of the damage, age of the patient, and the general health. Some of the most common symptoms include-

• Inability to think clearly and lack of coordination
• Not feeling hungry.
• Constant high blood pressure. 
• Itchy and dry skin. 
• Cramps in the muscles. 
• Swollen ankles and feet due to water retention. 
• Puffiness around the eyes. 
• Frequent urges of urination.
• Constant feelings of nausea and vomiting.
• Pallor.
• Reduced need for insulin or diabetes medicines. 
• Shortness of breath.
• Feeling of fatigue.

What Causes Diabetic Kidney Disease?

While the exact reasons for diabetic kidney disease are unknown, there are some reasons that are known to contribute actively. It’s good to know some of the most common causes and risk factors of diabetic kidney disease that include:

• People who are of American-Indian, Hispanic, or African-American descent. 
• People who have a family history of kidney diseases. 
• People who have developed Type 1 Diabetes before the age of 20 years.
• Smoking
• Overweight people are more prone to diabetic kidney diseases.
• Co-existing diabetic conditions like nerve damage or eye diseases. 
• People who suffer from high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels are more prone to this condition. 
  

How is Diabetic Kidney Disease Diagnosed?

If you suffer from diabetes and have been experiencing the above-mentioned symptoms, it is essential to talk to your doctor. Once the doctor understands these and assesses your medical history, she/he may refer you to a nephrologist or an endocrinologist and suggest these tests:

2. Blood & Urine Tests

These are the most common tests to check for early signs of damages to the kidney. These tests are also good indicators of the working condition of the kidneys and the presence of microalbumin protein or urea nitrogen in the urine and the blood. 

3. Imaging Tests

An X-Ray, MRI, or ultrasound may be done to assess the structure and size of the kidneys and determine how well the blood is circulating in the kidneys. 

4. Renal Analysis

This test is done to analyse the kidneys’ filtering capacity and functioning. 

5. Biopsy

This may be done to closely examine the tissues of the kidney and check their functioning. 

What are the Complications from Diabetic Kidney Disease?

• Pulmonary edema
• Hyperkalemia (increase in the potassium levels of the blood)
• Stroke
• Diabetic retinopathy (damage to the blood vessels in the retina)
• Heart diseases
• Anaemia
• Foot sores
• Complications during pregnancy to the mother and the child both
• Persistent diarrhea
• Damaged nerves and blood vessels
•  The most common and serious complication is irreversible kidney damage and kidney failure. 
  

How is Diabetic Kidney Disease Treated?

Since diabetic kidney disease is an irreversible condition and cannot be cured, treatments are used to curtail its progression. This is done by managing your blood sugar levels and hypertension to slow down or delay its progression and other complications. The treatment depends on the stage of diabetic kidney disease that you are in and include:

1. Early Stage

Medications: Your doctor may administer medicines to control your high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, bettering your bone health, and controlling the levels of proteins in urine. 

2. Advanced Stage

Kidney Transplant : A kidney transplant includes placing a kidney from a donor in your body to help treat chronic kidney disease and help you feel better and live longer.

Dialysis : Dialysis helps in removing waste, salt, and extra water from building up in the body and to control high blood pressure levels. Depending on your condition, your doctor will advise hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.

How can one Prevent Diabetic Kidney Disease?

There are several diabetic kidney disease guidelines that can not only prevent this condition but also slow down its progression. Ways in which you can keep your kidneys healthy for long include:

• Managing your diabetes to help in preventing or delaying diabetic kidney disease.
• Be physically active and incorporate at least 30 minutes of exercise in your daily routine. This helps in not only losing weight but in also reducing high blood pressure.
• Quit smoking.
• Keep your blood sugar levels within a permissible range.
• Manage your blood pressure and avoid letting it cross the permissible levels.
• A diet that’s low in sodium and proteins goes a long way in keeping your kidneys function well for longer.
• Increase intake of fresh foods, whole grains, healthy fats and lower intake of salty processed foods.
• This also helps in lowering weight and preventing obesity, which are important for preventing the onset of diabetes.