Effect of diabetes on the kidneys?

Diabetes affects the kidneys, causing diabetic kidney disease. It also affects the gastrointestinal tract, causing complications such as intestinal enteropathy, gastroparesis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Diabetes also causes your gums and teeth to inflame, thus leading to the destruction of the teeth, bone, gums, and fibers that support the gums.

SYMPTOMS OF KIDNEY DISEASE:

At the initial stages, the disease may be asymptomatic the only sign of diabetic kidney disease is high protein levels in urine. Some of the symptoms, which develop later, may include:

• Fluid retention
• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle cramps
• Puffiness around the eyes
• Dry and itchy skin
• Weight loss

DIAGNOSIS ASSOCIATED WITH KIDNEY DISEASE:

Diabetic nephropathy is diagnosed by using the following tests:

• Microalbuminuria in urine.
• Serum creatinine level
• Kidney Biopsy
• BUN blood test:

TREATMENT KIDNEY DISEASE DUE TO DIABETES:

• Prevention: It includes good control of blood glucose levels and blood pressure.
• Medication: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers are used to reduce the high blood pressure.
• Dialysis: It is a supportive treatment when the kidneys stop functioning normally. It involves either shunting the patient’s blood through a special machine that helps to remove the wastes by preserving water and salts or removing the wastes through fluid introduced into the abdomen.
• Kidney transplant: A healthy donor kidney is obtained either from someone who has died or from a relative or friend (from a compatible donor) to replace the diseased kidney.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO REDUCE THE RISKS

• Controlling the blood sugar levels
• Avoiding the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Treating the urinary tract infections
• Drinking plenty of non-alcoholic fluids
• Avoiding medical treatments that stress the kidneys
• Avoiding the use of tobacco products
• Exercising regularly
• Maintaining healthy weight
• Eating healthy foods