Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a complication of diabetes complication that affects people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Significantly only about half of all diabetics may develop diabetic kidney disease in their lifetime
Cause of Diabetic kidney disease
It results from damage to filters in the kidney that occurs gradually over several years
and it is associated with certain risk factors
– Genetic factors: if a family member has diabetic kidney disease
– Poor diabetic control
– Smoking
– Inadequate blood pressure control
– Obesity
– Heart disease
– Excessive salt intake
Symptoms of Diabetic kidney disease:
In the early stages, there might not be any symptoms of DKD. However, as kidney functions deteriorate gradually, some patients may experience symptoms
Symptoms of DKD, that may occur only after moderate level of kidney damage are
– Loss of appetite
– Fatigue
– Increased urge to urinate
– Frothy urine
– Swelling of feet/face
– Itching
– Body pain
Ways to prevent or postpone kidney disease
There are several options for patients with Diabetes to effectively prevent kidney disease, detect it in the early phase and slow down further damage
Keep an active lifestyle:
An active lifestyle and regular exercise can help in maintaining weight and energy, helps mobility and helps improve blood sugar level. Choose an activity that fits your lifestyle, preference and ensure your heart rate target is reached
Check blood sugar level:
Ensure the habit of monitoring your blood glucose levels. There are easy ways to monitor it at home. Documenting and sharing it with your doctor is key to adjust diet and drugs accordingly
Get tested for kidney disease
It is easy to detect kidney disease early. The earliest change occurs in your urine and can be detected by a simple urine test for protein. A blood test for Creatinine helps detects any change in kidney function.
Stop smoking
Smoking can cause direct damage to the kidneys, accelerate prior diabetic kidney damage and counter effect of protective drugs. Hence smoking is highly injurious to kidneys among diabetic patients
Low-sodium diet
A diet low in sodium helps blood pressure control, decreases strain on kidney filters and preserves kidney function and slow down further damage to kidneys. It aids the action of diabetic and blood pressure control medications. It helps decrease the risk of heart attacks and strokes
Ask for the right drugs
Tremendous advancement in treatment of diabetes and kidney diseases has enabled discoveries which are immensely helpful to protect kidneys. Certain kind of Bp control drugs specifically protect the kidney filters can be used in early and moderate stage of kidney disease. In recent times a specific kind of diabetic drug is known to be protective of the kidney and heart. Speak to your doctor if you are medically eligible for such therapy
The right level of knowledge, lifestyle and appropriate drug therapy by a capable physician will go a long way in living a long life with healthy kidneys. Last but not the least, periodic monitoring to know if you are on right track of care