Are your kidneys getting weaker? Let's learn about diabetes and kidney disease.

If you have diabetes, you probably know how important it is to control your blood sugar levels. But did you know that it also protects two small bean-shaped organs in your body, the kidneys? These are the vital organs that clean our blood and remove unwanted waste products from the body. But if diabetes is not controlled, these precious kidneys can start to get damaged, and that too without any major symptoms.

What is this kidney disease caused by diabetes?

Simply put, when diabetes is not properly controlled, high blood sugar levels over time damage the delicate blood vessels in the kidneys. This prevents the kidneys from doing their main job of cleaning the blood. This is what we call diabetic kidney disease, or as doctors call it , chronic kidney disease (CKD) .

This disease causes the kidneys to gradually lose their ability to filter waste products and excess water from the body. If this is not treated properly, it can eventually lead to kidney failure. In that case, you will either need dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.

How long does it take for kidneys to deteriorate from diabetes?

It actually takes years for this damage to occur. But the biggest problem here is that many people go for a long time without even knowing that they have Type 2 Diabetes . Imagine, some people only find out that they have diabetes and that their kidneys have already been damaged to some extent through tests when they go to see a doctor for another condition.

Therefore, even if you don't currently have diabetes, it's important to be aware of its risk factors. Early detection of the disease can prevent kidney damage.

Be aware of these early signs of diabetes

Check the table below to see if you have any of the symptoms listed. These are common symptoms that can be seen in the early stages of diabetes.

What are the symptoms of kidney disease? Why do they come on late?

This is the most important thing we all need to be aware of. The symptoms of kidney disease only start to appear when the disease has become very severe.

The reason is that our kidneys are incredibly resilient organs that don't easily accept defeat. Until about 75% of them are damaged, the remaining healthy parts work harder to maintain some balance in the body's processes. That's why we don't feel anything until there is significant damage.

These are the symptoms that may usually appear when the disease becomes severe:

• Swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet
• Swelling around the eyes when waking up in the morning
• Decreased frequency of urination or foamy urine
• Difficulty breathing and frequent fatigue
• Loss of appetite and nausea
• Dry and itchy skin
• Insomnia
• Muscle cramps

So what do we do? How do we protect our precious kidneys?

1. Talk to your doctor: If you have diabetes, talk openly with your doctor about your kidney health. It is essential to have your kidneys checked at least once a year.

2. Urine ACR Test: This is a very simple test. It checks for a small amount of a protein called albumin in your urine. Healthy kidneys do not filter this protein out of the blood. The presence of this in the urine is an early sign that the kidneys are starting to be damaged.

3. Blood test (eGFR Blood Test): This is a measure of how efficiently your kidneys are filtering blood, as a percentage. This is called eGFR (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) . A decrease in this value means that the kidneys are not functioning properly.

4. Control blood pressure and sugar levels:

• Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is another big enemy of the kidneys. Check your blood pressure regularly and take the medication your doctor prescribes exactly.
• Blood Sugar: Keep your blood sugar levels within target levels. Talk to your doctor about HbA1c testing and follow up accordingly.

5. Follow your doctor's instructions: Sometimes your doctor may prescribe special medications (e.g. ACE inhibitors, ARBs) to protect your kidneys. Use them exactly as directed. Also, avoid continuing to use medications such as painkillers without consulting your doctor.

6. A healthy lifestyle:

• Reduce salt consumption in meals.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Exercise regularly.
• Avoid smoking completely.

When should you see a doctor immediately?

If you have diabetes and experience one or more of the following symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible.

• Unusual swelling of the legs, arms, or face.
• Change in urination pattern (decreased, increased, foamy).
• Unbearable fatigue or difficulty breathing.
• Loss of appetite or nausea.