how does diabetes affect kidney?

Are you aware of the reason behind diabetics being advised to monitor their kidneys? Ever wondered??? Sadly, the kidneys are not spared from the problems caused by diabetes, which is known to affect all organs throughout the body. Why? The two bean-shaped organs are responsible for filtering waste and excess fluids from your bloodstream. This ensures optimal functioning. However, high blood sugar levels start to adversely impact your overall renal function. Ayurvedic treatment for kidney disease also recommends kidney patients to keep their blood sugar levels in check to avoid health complications.

What Exactly Happens?

To understand how diabetes ruins your kidneys, it helps to know a bit about how kidneys work. Nephrons, small filtering units, are present in each kidney. Consider them as those tiny filters that sift through toxins and waste to deliver essential nutrients, including proteins. These small filters can be damaged by diabetes, which is caused by high blood sugar levels. This disease is called diabetic nephropathy, which is also known as diabetic kidney disease.

Here’s a quick rundown of how things can go wrong:

1. High Blood Sugar Overloads the Kidneys: Your kidneys need to filter out that excess sugar in your blood. Over time, this extra workload results in an accelerated wear and tear in the nephrons.
2. Damage to Blood Vessels: Diabetes can have a damaging impact on the small blood vessels in your kidneys, resulting in poor filtration function.
3. Leakage of Protein: Healthy kidneys don’t let protein escape into your urine in the first place. But when diabetes damages the filters, proteins like albumin can leak out of your body.
4. Inflammation and Scarring: Chronic high blood sugar is a leading cause of inflammation, which leads to scarring in the kidney tissue.

So, What Are the Warning Signs Then?

One tricky thing about diabetic kidney disease is that you rarely experience any symptoms in the early stages. However, as the condition progresses, you might notice:

• Swelling in your hands, feet, or face due to fluid retention
• Foamy or bubbly urine (a sign of protein leakage)
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating or feeling generally unwell

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, discussing them with your doctor is strongly recommended.

Who’s at Risk?

Not everyone with diabetes will run into renal disorders, however, your risk increases with the following factors:

• Duration of Diabetes: The longer you’ve had diabetes, the higher your risk of encountering renal issues in your life.
• Poor Blood Sugar Control: Consistently high blood sugar levels can lead to accelerated kidney damage.
• High Blood Pressure: Diabetes and high blood pressure often go hand-in-hand, and both put extra strain on your kidneys.
• Genetics: If kidney disease runs in your family, you are in the high-risk zone.
• Lifestyle Choices: Smoking, a high-salt diet, and lack of exercise all contribute to an increased risk of kidney diseases.

How Can You Protect Your Kidneys?

The good news? You still have a few tricks up your sleeve. There are plenty of steps you can take to protect your kidneys and keep them working well for years to come:

1. Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check: Now, this goes without saying. Regular blood sugar monitoring, healthy eating, and sticking to your diabetes treatment plan will help you avoid renal issues in the future.
2. Manage Your Blood Pressure: Same as high blood glucose levels. Aim to keep your blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg (or whatever target your doctor recommends).
3. Get Regular Kidney Function Tests: An early detection allows for a swift intervention, grossly improving your prognosis.
4. Adopt a Kidney-Friendly Diet Reduce your salt intake and include more fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. If your kidney function is already declining, moderate the consumption of protein, potassium, or phosphorus-rich foods.
5. Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water helps your kidneys flush out toxins. Just be cautious if your doctor has advised you to limit fluids.
6. Quit Smoking: As stated in the article, smoking narrows blood vessels, which can worsen kidney damage. Completely quit smoking for better renal health.
7. Exercise Regularly: Staying active leads to a better control over blood sugar, blood pressure, and weight – all of which are good for your kidneys.

Herbs and Remedies for Tackling Diabetes

Kidney treatment in Ayurveda, as metjioned above, advises the patients to monitor their blood sugar levels for healthy kidneys. It becomes, therefore, of prime importance to have an understanding of the herbs that may control blood sugar level. Some of the most often used herbs to treat diabetes in Ayurveda are:

1. Bitter Gourd (Karela): Karela is packed with insulin-mimicking compounds that help lower blood sugar levels. Drinking karela juice is not the tastiest of the solutions, but it sure does wonders for diabetes management.
2. Fenugreek (Methi): It’s loaded with fiber, which slows down sugar absorption and helps improve insulin function. Soaking methi seeds overnight and drinking the water in the morning is often advised by Ayurveda.
3. Indian Gooseberry (Amla): Amla isn’t just for great hair; it’s a powerhouse of vitamin C and antioxidants that help the pancreas function better. Fresh amla juice or powder mixed with warm water may help reduce heightened blood sugar levels according to Dr. Puneet Dhawan of Karma Ayurveda Hospital.
4. Gudmar (Gymnema Sylvestre): The name means "sugar destroyer." Gudmar helps reduce sugar cravings and boosts insulin production.
5. Neem: Bitter but brilliant, that’s what Neem is. Neem leaves help reduce blood sugar levels and purify the blood. Chewing fresh neem leaves or drinking neem tea may result in reduced blood sugar levels.

Note - These herbs are generally harmless and rarely cause any side effects. However, you must consult your doctor beforehand. If your symptoms are grave, then visit a hospital. If you want a completely natural treatment, then Karma Ayurveda is the perfect place to be. This Ayurvedic hospital offers authentic herbal treatment for varous health disorders, including diabetes.

Final Thoughts

Although diabetes can be a challenge, monitoring your blood sugar, maintaining good blood pressure, and adopting kidney-friendly lifestyle choices can make a hell lot of difference to your renal health. Catching the symptoms early and treating them swiftly hold the key though.