Kidney Disease and Diabetes

Our kidneys are one of the vital parts of our body. They are the two bean-shaped organs in the renal system. They are in charge of removing waste and extra fluids in our bodies. They also remove the acid produced in our body to maintain the balance of salt, water, and minerals in our blood.  

One of the diseases that can cause problems in our kidneys is diabetes. Diabetes causes damage to the blood vessels inside our kidneys. The filtering units of our kidneys are filled with tiny blood vessels and high sugar levels in our blood can cause these vessels to become narrow and clogged. By keeping your blood sugar low, the risk of causing kidney problems is substantially decreased. 

Not having symptoms of kidney disease doesn’t guarantee that you do not have one. People with kidney disease may not know something is wrong until kidney function is lost. They can’t feel the damage until it’s too late. Early detection of kidney diseases with the right treatment can help slow the disease from getting worse. Ask your doctor to test your blood and urine. Finding protein in your urine is a sign of kidney disease caused by diabetes. But not finding anything after getting tested does not mean that you are already free from getting any kidney disease, especially if you have a history of diabetes. Get tested yearly and get started more often if there is protein in your pee or if your kidneys are not working as they usually do.  

If you have diabetes, meet your blood sugar level as much as you can.  And talk to your doctor about the medicines you are taking that might harm your kidneys and other ways to lower your blood pressure.  

Diabetes and high blood pressure are not the only diseases that put you at greater risk of having kidney disease. Obesity, heart disease, kidney infection, and physical injury can also cause kidney disease.  

The best way to keep your kidneys healthy is to talk to your doctor to know the best blood pressure target specifically for you, you should also stay in your target cholesterol range, eat foods that have lower salt content, eat more vegetables and fruits, stay active and take your medications, if any, as directed by your doctor. Staying hydrated is also good for the kidneys. Water helps clear toxins from your kidney and lowers your risk of having chronic kidney disease.  

If you have a health condition that increases your risk for kidney disease, you should work closely with your doctor to watch out for signs of loss of kidney function. At Doral Health and Wellness, our team of nephrologists will work with you in managing your disease and your quality of life. To schedule an appointment, please visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212, or call 1-347-384-5690. You can also visit our website at https://doralhw.org, or contact us at info@doralhw.org if you have any queries.